4 Backyard Fall Activities For The Entire Family

Fall is fabulous in Columbus: the riot of color as trees turn from green to every shade of red and yellow; and the crisp, energizing weather that makes us want to be outdoors.

From Columbus Oktoberfest in September to the annual HighBall Halloween in October, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the season's festivities around town. Not to mention all the apple orchards, pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and parks. There are more than 175 miles of trails to indulge in the inimitable scent of autumn, the crackle of leaves beneath our feet, and the delight of finding the “tchotchkes” that nature scatters around for us: beautiful leaves, acorns, pine cones, fanciful twigs.

Getting outdoors doesn’t exactly mean you have you leave your home though. The average yard size in Columbus is 5,455 sq. feet– that’s nearly double the size of the average home in America. With all the space and wonderful fall weather, why not utilize it in your own way? Here are a few activities for the entire family that take little preparation time or money, right in your own backyard!

1. Leaf Pile Contests

There is really no other way to describe this activity other than what it actually is that you are doing. As the leaves start to fall more aggressively, it’s only natural that children want to play in them. Turn it into a contest, and see who can create the biggest pile. Similar to the bliss on a child’s face when playing in rain puddles, it’s adorable to see how excited they can get by later jumping into a pile of leaves. Not to mention, a discrete way to clean up your lawn. Don't want to rake your own leaves? Hire a lawn care service in Columbus, OH to do it for you.

2. Star Gazing

A relaxing activity fit for the entire family. Start by getting a simple book on stars or a star chart. You can also download a planetarium app for your smartphone, or find a printable map online like Sky Maps. Use a red flashlight to read the chart or a regular flashlight with red cellophane over the lens so that your night vision is not affected. For a closer look, use a pair of binoculars. Once you have your gear, make sure that you stargaze on a night that is crystal clear.

3. Scavenger Hunt

Kids love searching for "treasure" and a scavenger hunt can be as simple or as elaborate as you want it to be. All you have to do is hide items around the yard and give the kids a list of what to search for. Put an additional twist on it by giving them picture or coded clues. You can hide things from around the house or inexpensive items the kids will enjoy finding. If you start attracting a crowd with your backyard “amusement park,” you can have teams of kids searching.

4. Build a Fairy House

Fairies love the comforts of a nice fairy house or cottage. Many prefer the smaller, unique houses made by young loving hands and creative minds with natural materials. The kids can use the materials collected on the nature trails around Columbus or around the yard, things like flower petals, feathers, and pebbles. Being the mystical creatures that they are, they like to be close to the ground. Build the house in an area surrounded by trees or plants to create a secretive spot for them.

What you do isn’t as important as that you do. Outdoors in the fall is a beautiful time of year for the family to enjoy each other and for youngsters to learn you can have fun outdoors—that there is life beyond modern technology.

Looking to shape up your lawn this fall? Visit our Columbus lawn care page for more information!