Feeling down about the days of summer coming to an end?  You probably aren’t alone. Summer is filled with so many activities that you can participate in with your children.

  • Going to the beach to swim and build sand castles
  • Festivals and fairs for many occasions
  • Taking holidays while your children are out of school for the summer.

But the fact that autumn is right around the corner does not mean that the good times are coming to an end!

With a new season comes a whole new set of fun family activities for you and your children. If you are looking for a little inspiration to get you started, then you need look no further than this list of 7 fabulous family activities for autumn.

1. Plant something together and watch it grow

Many associate springtime with planting season; after all, the whole world is coming back to life as the cold winter weather gives way to warmer days. However there are many plants, including herbs and vegetables, that can be planted in the autumn as well.

Planting a small garden, or even a single plant, can be a fun bonding experience for you and your family. Just plant the seeds together and watch your plant or garden come to life over the coming weeks and months. Children will love to watch new life occur right before their eyes, and you will love to experience their wonder and joy firsthand.

Not sure what you can plant this time of year?  You can reference this comprehensive list of what plants are appropriate for the autumn weather in your area.

2. Go on a nature walk

Don’t let the colder weather deter you! The colder weather brings about a change of scenery that can make even your child’s favourite summertime spots look brand new.

Bring your family out into the wild as the scenery begins to change. Going on nature walks is a fantastic way to help your children to be in touch with the world around them and can encourage their natural curiosity.

Not sure how to get started?  Here are a few activities that you can incorporate into your nature walks with your family:

  • Visit a familiar outdoor location (such as a park or a beach) and encourage your children to point out the ways that the scenery is changing with the new season
  • Collect items such as fallen leaves to create a “nature album” of the things that you encounter on your walk. If your child does not recognise something that you find along the way, encourage them to take a picture and look it up when you return home
  • Let your child lead the way. Teach them to notice naturally occurring clues, such as unique trees or animal paths, that will help them to maintain their sense of direction while exploring off of the beaten path.

3. Take a trip to the zoo

Visiting the zoo in the summertime can be overwhelming. Many zoos are crowded with other parents visiting with their own children, and the weather is hot and humid.

Many summer attractions change their hours in the fall, but most zoos maintain very similar hours of operation right up until winter starts. Autumn can be the perfect time to pack lunches for the whole family and plan a day trip to the zoo!

Children of all ages will love seeing the many animals on display. You could also use the trip as an opportunity to teach your children about endangered species or the many locations around the world in which all of the animals can be found in the wild.

If you are not familiar with Australia’s many zoos, then you can find information about both public and private locations here.

4. Visit a museum

As the autumn weather grows colder, you will likely begin to plan more indoor activities for you and your family to enjoy. One activity that you could consider is planning a trip to a museum.

General scientific consensus agrees that children benefit from exposure to museums for a variety of reasons. Some ways that museum trips can benefit your children include:

  • Exposing them to new experiences, ideas, and cultures
  • Creating lasting memories
  • Exploring unknown worlds or new subjects
  • Learning something new in a rich and educational environment.

Your young aspiring artist might enjoy visiting an art gallery filled with world-renowned works of art.

Your little explorer may be more drawn to a museum of natural science and history filled with archeology exhibits and tales of the conquest of old.

Children of all ages are sure to enjoy a hands-on science museum that allows them to touch, play, and experience educational concepts in an interactive setting.

There are many types of museums that you can explore with your family. No matter what your children’s interests might be, there are sure to be plenty of museums that the whole family will love.

5. Visit an orchard and go fruit picking

Autumn is the perfect time of year to visit an orchard and pick fruits right off of the trees. Many orchards are open to the public in the autumn and will allow you to fill a basket to the brim with all of the fruit that you can fit inside.

Your children will love piling into the back of a tractor and riding out to the picking orchards, and will be thrilled at the thought that they can reach up and pluck a fresh, ripe plum off of a branch that is ready to be eaten right away.

In addition to hosting “picking parties,” many orchards also make baked goods right on the premises. After your family has finished picking their spoils, you could go into the shop and sample fresh apple juice or just-out-of-the-oven fruit pies and turnovers. In some venues you can even peer past the counter to see where the juices are pressed and baked goods are made.

6. Go on a family camping trip

When the weather begins to change, the scenery in camping grounds and national parks become the perfect backdrop for a family camping trip!

Your children will love to cook hot dogs and s’mores over the campfire. You will all be able to bond as a family by spending a weekend “unplugged” from cell phones and computers. And if there are specific outdoor activities that your family enjoys then you can find campgrounds or parks that have those activities readily accessible. Here are a few examples:

  • Kayaking
  • Rock climbing
  • Hiking
  • Tree climbing
  • Ziplining

 7. Visit one of Australia’s many exciting attractions

Australia has hundreds of attractions that you can enjoy as a family. From campgrounds to high ropes courses to adventure parks, there are so many options that you can explore!

You could find a hidden gem located near your own home, or plan a weekend or day trip to a spot that is a little farther away. Don’t know where to start?  Here are a few ideas:

  • Macadamia Castle has a wide range of activities for your family to enjoy. True to its name, you can taste a vast array of roasted and flavoured macadamia nuts, as well as other locally grown fine foods. Macadamia Castle also contains a mini golf course, and Animal Fun Park, and daily interactive activities for children of all ages.
  • TreeTops is a high ropes adventure park with several locations throughout Australia. Participants explore through the trees on a self-guided ropes course with zip lines and various obstacles to complete (all with proper safety equipment, of course). Courses are designed with varying degrees of difficulty, and even small children can join in on the action.
  • Dolphin Marine Magic is a zoological park that aims to teach children about marine conservation efforts through educational and interactive activities and performances. You could take your children to swim with dolphins and seals, but even if you choose not to engage in this particular activity each guest will still have the opportunity to be “kissed” by a dolphin as a part of the price of admission.

Autumn in Australia is every bit as beautiful as the summertime, and there are just as many activities for you and your family to enjoy. Whether you prefer outdoorsy adventures or more structured activities, you can find countless ways to create meaningful memories with your family. Don’t let the season slip away without taking the opportunity to explore everything that your Australia autumn has to offer!

Sources:

www.aboutthegarden.com.au/index.php/autumn-flower-herb-fruit-vegetable-planting-guide-by-temperate-zone/
www.australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/zoos-in-australia
www.arts.gov/art-works/2014/importance-taking-children-museums
www.treetops.com.au/
www.dolphinmarinemagic.com.au/