Have you heard “I’m bored” or want something fun for your children to do? Fall can be a time of learning while you “bust the boredoms”.

Start by sending your children outside or go to a park and gather leaves. Look for leaves of all shapes, colors, and sizes. See who can find the biggest, smallest, or most unusual leaf.

Make a movie- Plan your character, setting,  problem, plot, and solution. Use a video camera to tape the adventures you encounter as you search for the perfect leaf.

After the leaves are gathered, you can dry them or use them as they are.

Tracing and imprinting- Tape a leaf to a piece of paper and let younger children trace around it. Put the leaf under the paper. Use the side of a crayon to roll over the leaf, making an impression.

Story or comic strip- Decide who your characters will be. Choose leaves for the characters in your story. Take a big sheet of paper.  Glue or tape leaves to the paper. Draw arms, legs, and a head onto the paper, connecting it to the leaf. Add your story and share with others.

Notebooking- Make a notebook with the different leaves that you found. Label the parts of each leaf and what type of leaf it is.

Bible pumpkin painting- Paint your favorite Bible character or Bible story on a pumpkin. This is a picture of King David. The picture at the beginning is of Jesus wearing a crown. We used acrylic paint on the pumpkin. Use your pumpkin to tell others your favorite Bible story.

Have fun as a family and bust the “boredom’s”.

Use fall nature objects to paint a masterpiece. This multi- sensory activity helps people of all ages to use their imagination and creativity. Younger children have fun and learn through the painting experience. Older children and adults can put thoughtfulness and detail into their designs.

Fall nature items can include:

Gourds, Potatoes, leaves, pine cones, gumballs, nuts, sticks, grasses, and weeds. There are many more. Go on a scavenger hunt and you will discover many interesting objects that God has made.

A fun advantage to using nature is that your painting will look different each time you paint something. You do not need to paint in straight lines. Try different directions and techniques.

1. Choose what nature objects you want to use.
2. Put down a plastic tablecloth or a sheet of plastic for EASY cleanup. Keep this for simple cleanup of craft projects.
3. Gather a variety of paint colors, dishes with paint to roll your objects in, paper plates to set your painted nature objects on, and a cloth for quick wipe-ups.
4. Roll or thoroughly coat the item you are using  in the desired color of paint.
5. Have fun! Drag, roll, dab, spin, twist, flop, and swish. Try ideas that pop into your imagination. Use a new color and mix the designs together.
6. Watch this video for more ideas and techniques.

Make your paintings into fall or thanksgiving cards. Give them to older people, shut ins, out of town relatives, or anyone who could use a smile.

Have fun painting and teaching your children how God has made each detail of nature!

The fall of the year is here. This is the time of year that the leaves change beautiful colors and cooler, crisp weather begins to creep in. Fall is a wonderful time of year to enjoy the outdoors. You can look around at the magnificent creation God has made. Watching the change in seasons opens our eyes to the wonders that God has given to us. He has designed and planned each tiny, intricate, and magnificent detail.

Fall is the time of year that I enjoy grabbing a warm drink and having fun as a family. Make time this fall to enjoy the beautiful, God-made outdoors with your family.

1. Go for a walk, hike, or bike ride. Don’t rush! Take your time. Take a tree identification book with you. See how many different trees you can find. Younger children can count the colors of leaves they see.

2. Make a scarecrow. Have fun using your imaginations together. Make old, young, silly, or even a family of scarecrows.

What you will need:

Old clothes. Any size clothing will work.

Hay, crumbled newspaper, rags, pine straw, or other stuffing material.

Pillowcase and marker

Rope and large safety pins

Optional decorations – Hat, bandannas, gloves, shoes, or other decorations to dress up your scarecrow.

Assembly:

Tie the openings in the clothing closed with rope. Leave an opening on the top of each piece of clothing for stuffing.

Stuff the clothing until it is full.

Safety pin the top and bottom of the scarecrow together.

Fill the pillowcase to the desired head size. Use a marker to draw a face. Then pin the pillowcase onto the top of the scarecrow.

Attach any extras that you want your scarecrow to wear.

Use this opportunity to work together as a family. Discuss ideas and be respectful. Build each other up with your words.

4. Visit a pumpkin field or apple orchard.

Learn how they grow and about the different varieties. Younger children can learn to put the pumpkins or apples in order from smallest to largest. They can also learn what things are heavy and light.

5. Jump in a pile of leaves.

Jump and roll in a pile of leaves. Be silly! Let your children see you having fun.

6. Rake leaves for a shut in or elderly person.

This is an excellent way to help others and learn respect. Teach your children that doing things for others is hard work, but that it can be fun and rewarding.

7. Take a drive.

Go for a scenic drive (without electronic activities). Look for things that God has made. Find things that you do not see in the others seasons. Talk about how awesome and powerful God is to make nature.

Have fun this fall! Leave a comment and share what you did to enjoy God’s beautiful creation with your family.