by Deborah C. Washington

Created on: September 15, 2010

Switching from hot summer mode to frisky fall, doesn’t have to mean the fun has ended. Autumn is loaded with fun family things to do without spending a fortune.

The obvious activities are bike riding (rails to trails are safer and family friendly); walks, jumping in leaf piles, and rides in the country to see nature’s beautiful transformation. Apple picking or taking a hayride to a pumpkin patch to pick out the perfect pumpkin can be fun for all. For a slight fee there are many corn mazes to try and find your way through.

If you want to spend a little money, autumn is the time of numerous fairs from grange to agricultural to 4-H to expositions. Many local fairs encourage children to enter exhibits—from artwork, to photos to collections and handmade items and baked goods. Often they will give the entrants free admission to the fair. Check with local fairs for their contests and rules. The children can have the fun of entering the contest and even if they don’t win, they have the thrill of seeing their handiwork on display.

A wonderful hobby to engage the whole family in is letterboxing. You will be surprised to learn how many letterboxes are hidden near your hometown. This is a treasure hunt with clues listed online leading to a hidden box. Before you set out, you should pick a family team name and make or purchase a rubber stamp to represent your team. Bring this with you along with a blank journal type book. You will use these when you reach your goal. Complete directions and clues for the boxes are at www.letterboxing.org. There is an alternative version of this called geo caching however, a GPS is required. You can find the details for that hobby at www.geocaching.com

This is also the time of year that many libraries have their annual book sales. Often on the last day of the sale, they are anxious to get rid of everything. Many will offer $6-$8 for whatever you put into a bag. This is a good time to get some good reading material for the whole family for the long winter ahead.

Libraries are also a great place for many free activities. Check out their calendar. While you are there, you can also see what kind of free museum passes they have available. Many have ones you can use for a day.

Kids may find it fascinating to see how potato chips are made or candy dipped. On www.factorytoursusa.com  you can find many factories offering free or nominal fee tours.

There are many things to do on a limited budget in autumn. Buy your child a disposable camera for him/her to remember these special times. The most rewarding thing is to stop and take the time to feel the breeze and to see the majestic trees as they put on their fashion show. Teach your children to appreciate the awesomeness of autumn.

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