Ways to Have Safe Autumn Fun in 2020!
Safe autumn fun is possible in this non-typical year of 2020. It just takes some planning and care to follow the safety guidelines put in place by your state, local, or federal guidelines during this COVID pandemic.
Fall is in the air! One thing that the year 2020 can’t take away from us is the change of seasons!
The temperatures are getting cooler. Crops are being harvested! The leaves are starting to change color.
Autumn is not just about Halloween!
Each year families usually enjoy a variety of Autumn activities. But this year things are a little bit different.
In America, there are still places with restrictions in place and perhaps you feel like you just can’t get out and enjoy the Fall season like you normally would.
Recently we wrote about ways to have a safe Halloween this year. But you know, Autumn is not all about Halloween and we realized that not everyone has kids or does Halloween activities.
There are so many things that you can do this Fall that are not Halloween related even with the mask-wearing, social distancing, and other safety measures that are in place.
Before we get started with our list —
FIRSTLY: Check your local town, county, and state restrictions to see what is allowed during this pandemic. Take your mask, hand sanitizer, and practice social distancing. Most of all, don’t let this pandemic get in the way of you having FUN and enjoying this fall!
Ways to Have Safe Autumn Fun in 2020
Here’s a few of the things we came up with to have a little Autumn fun this year during the pandemic.
Go on a “fall foliage” drive.
The change of color for leaves usually occurs sometime in October through the first of November. Get out of the house for a while and take a drive to see them. Be sure to take snacks, bottled water or soft drinks, hand sanitizer or soap, and masks.
For extra fun: Make it a scavenger hunt by making a list of things to look for while on your fall foliage drive.
Take a nature hike.
Get some fresh air and exercise. Pack a small bag with snacks and water and head out to see the leaves changing colors. TIP: Be sure to check with the parks in your area to see if they have opened back up before heading out.
Go on a search for different leaves!
Make a list of the leaves that are native to your area. Go out in your backyard or neighborhood park and look for them. See how many you can mark off the list! If you have kids, take them home and do a fun craft such as making a leaf book with them.
Visit a local farm.
Some local farms are still allowing people to visit and take a tour of their farms. There are some farms that are allowing people to bring their dogs and hike along the fields or wooden areas or bring picnics to enjoy with the family. Check your area!
Get “lost” in a cornfield maze!
This one is similar to visiting a farm but is one where the farmers have planted and made a maze out of their corn field. There are usually signs along the maze to help you find your way through it. It’s a great way to get out of the house and have some fun with family and friends.
Check out the pumpkin patches in your area.
We included this one on our Halloween list but also wanted to include it again on here with a bit more info.
Pumpkin patches are usually located in a huge, open field. Lots of space to get fresh air and to social distance! Each pumpkin patch operator will have their own rules. Some pumpkin patches are setting up hand-washing and hand sanitizer stations. They may designate one-way traffic areas. There are some that are setting up safety barriers between staff and guests.
If you are not sure what the safety procedures are at the pumpkin patch you are visiting, take your mask, your hand sanitizer or soap, and try to maintain social distancing while there.
Pick some apples!
If you are in New England, this one’s for you! Be sure to check with the apple orchard for opening times, also to see what you need to bring and whether you can buy tickets in advance so you don’t have to stand in line.
Host a family bonfire.
Get the family together for a night of roasting marshmallows, hot dogs, and making s’mores. TIP: Always check your local fire codes first to see if there is a burn ban in effect and whether fire pits are allowed in your area. If fire pits are not allowed and there is no burn ban, some parks will let you rent campsites to hold a family bonfire.
Sit outside at night and watch the stars and moon!
There will be two full moons, known as “blue moons”, this October. One was October 1st and the next one will be October 31st. Also this fall, the Orionids meteor showers will peak on the night of October 20 into the morning of October 21. Don’t be concerned if you miss that one. There are two more chances to see a meteor shower this fall. The next will be the Northern Taurids peaking on the night of November 11 into the morning of November 12 and the Leonids peaking on the night of November 16 into the morning of November 17.
Use the apples from the apple orchard and make several dishes.
Don’t let those wonderful apples that you bought at the apple orchard go to waste! Make apple pies, fritters, crisps, or applesauce. One of our favorites is apple fried pies! They are delicious!
Learn to make other fall-inspired dishes.
A few that come to mind are pumpkin pies, pecan pies, sweet potato casserole, gingerbread cookies, etc. The possibilities however are endless. Not only will it warm up the house by having the oven on but it will fill the house with wonderful aromas!
Make a bird feeder.
There are all kinds of ways to make a bird feeder. Some don’t require a lot of tools.
Here is a simple way to make a bird feeder.
- 1.Take a pinecone.
- 2.Tie string or twine on it (no fishing line, dental floss, or thing thread).
- 3. Spread peanut butter on the pinecone and roll it in birdseed.
- 4. Tie it in the tree!
We hope these ideas inspire you to look for ways that you and your family can safely have fun this Autumn season even though there may still be some COVID-19 restrictions in your area.
Leave us a comment and let us know how you plan on having safe Autumn fun this year! We’d love to hear from you!
Disclaimer: The information used in this post was accurate and based on CDC recommendations at the time of posting. The CDC updated its “Deciding to Go Out” article on September 11, 2020. It offers some good suggestions on how to protect yourself during thistime in our history. The Frugal Housewife tries to keep up with the information and data available regarding COVID-19. The information is ever changing. We encourage our readers to stay informed and do their own research. Always check your local public health department, the CDC, and WHO for their recommendations.
What a great selection of activities! I particularly love ‘Big Sky’ outings!
Here in Australia, (Qld) our Autumn foliage is not so spectacular but it is still a treat to watch our version.
Thank you! Cheers F
Our foliage isn’t very spectacular either. We are located in West Texas where we have mainly mesquite and prickly pears. We have some trees that change color but not like back in the Eastern and Southern parts of the U.S.
It is scary to go out but we have been eating out once a week because being inside was causing me to be depressed. Then I even was able to attend a Blogger event and I believe more will be happening soon. If not I just might set one up because I miss my friends.
One of the things I miss the most about living in Florida is fall. Yes, we have cooler temps and less humidity, but that’s about it when it comes to fall. No orchards, pumpkins would melt in the heat, and corn mazes are nowhere to be found. BUT, we live only a few hours away from Georgia where we could make a fun trip to see fall color and visit some farms.
I love these ideas. I’m in Texas so we don’t have such pretty leaves. I wish! We do like making fall foods though.
I miss living in Colorado. We used to take fall foliage drives all the time.
This is a great list for some safe autumn fun! I love this season, it’s my favorite. I love getting outside because we have low humidity in NH so I can breathe easier and enjoy hiking and playing outside more.
Yes, during autumn there are so many fun activities to make all together in the nature!
It sounds fun to get lost in a corn maze.
Sounds fun to get lost in a corn maze. Hehe
I remember doing the pine cone bird feeder as a kid. It was a lot of fun! I’ll have to do that with my own kids.
Good ideas that I will surely try this autumn! Thanks for spreading and we will surely have fun in this coming halloween
These are great recommendations and one of my favorite activities to do in these lists is sitting outside at night and watching the stars and moon.
Looks like fall is coming late in Missouri. While I don’t think Halloween is what fall is about, it is sure a great part of fall!
Thanks for suggesing the safe autummn fun. Yes we will go for a long drive for sure. also bonefire will be nice idea.
Celebrating autumn may help our mind set great things and enjoy this even with changes. Not just locked at home, being scared and anxious about the bad news happening around us. It has so many fun activities. The tips for safety are really great and helpful. Will apply this for our celebration.
These are all such great ideas! I’m looking forward to trying some out! 🙂
Great tips! Love the “blue moon” ideas!