Looking to make some sweet fall memories with your little ones? Here are some great ideas to get your family laughing, smiling and enjoying each other's company during these crisp autumn days.

Hit the trail. Kids love to be outside. The out-of-doors is a huge playground and children are naturally attracted to it. Exploring some of the hiking trails in and around your community is a great way to spend time together.

While you're walking...

Collect leaves. Take them home and arrange them on a piece of poster board measuring approximately 17 inches by 12 inches. Smooth a piece of clear contact paper over the poster board on both sides, laminating the board and leaves. Now you have a special placemat to use for the remainder of the season.

Contact your local library to ask where you can find a guidebook on local flora and fauna. Take it on your hike and try to identify as many different trees, plants, and critters as possible.

Go sliding. Sure, you take your kids to the park. But do you go down the slide with them? Do you swing alongside them? Don't hurt yourself, of course, but joining in the fun will make your outing that much more enjoyable for both of you.

Plant a tree. Go to the Arbor Day website and learn the ins and outs of tree planting, plus you can even get free trees when you join the foundation. Children love planting and caring for living things and a tree is something that will grow with them throughout the years.

A little history. Go to Trail Link and see where the Rails to Trails pathway is in your state (US only).

Stuck indoors? Even if the weather turns too cold for outdoor activities, there's still plenty of fun to be had.

Get several Autumn-themed books from your local library. Check to see if you can locate your books online at your library's website and have them brought to your local branch for easy pickup. Many large libraries now offer this convenience.

Stencil a pumpkin. For little ones, drawing on pumpkins, gourds, and even apples is more fun than actually carving the fruit itself. Or use simple shapes to sponge paint directly onto the pumpkin. A little messy, but tons of fun!

Before long the snow will be flying in earnest and fall will be but a memory. Make it a great one this year, one for your kids to remember with joy!

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From the Author
Fall Fun at Colleen's site

About the Author
Colleen Langenfeld offers helpful ideas to busy working moms. Use the resources at PaintedGold.com to make your life as a mom feel easier, healthier, and better!

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Recommended Reading: My 4 year old granddaughter and I are having so much fun using the ideas in this book. Most ideas are inexpensive and easy to do, and new, or with a new twist. It helps using their organizing tips too. I used their ideas for the 'Little World Box' and the 'Craft Box'. We also created a box for water fun, and one for dress-up. There are plenty of activities that can be done with a child, or that children can do in their own. The activities encourage original thought and creativity. This book is well organized, fun to read, and I recommend it HIGHLY to all parents, grandparents and child care providers. (courtesy of Amazon)