Whether you’re a parent who revels in the beauty of autumn or someone looking to infuse fresh energy into your family’s traditions, our carefully curated ideas are here to inspire and guide you. Today, we’re diving into fall traditions to start with your kids this year!

Crafting the perfect autumn tradition requires a blend of creativity, intention, and a touch of expertise, and that’s where today’s post comes in. You might feel the need to do something special to welcome in the new season, so all of these ideas are relatively inexpensive and focused on experiences, not things.

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My family has our own first day of fall traditions, and it brings me great joy to know that Baby M will one day grow and tell her friends/spouse/children “we always made a Thanksgiving feast and took a nature walk on the first day of fall”.

Like I mentioned in the intro, try to focus on experiences, not objects. I know it’s tempting in a world filled with over-consumption, social media, and Amazon Prime. Experiences are what shape our children and what they will take with them into adulthood.

Autumn is the perfect time to spend time with children. They might be facing anxiety and stress starting a new school year, and things tend to get hectic during the holidays. Fall is the season to reflect on how quickly time passes and appreciate our changing seasons.

First Day of Fall Traditions to Start with Your Kids This Year

Cook a Thanksgiving Feast

This is one of my families traditions (going on year 3!). We did it by accident the first time, but it ended up being so fun that we have continued the practice. For dinner, we have turkey breast, mashed potatoes, homemade cranberry sauce, gravy, stuffing, and green beans! Why limit such a delicious meal to just Thanksgiving, right?

I’ve found that grocery stores start selling all these items as early as late August, so they aren’t hard to find!

Do a Fall Photo Shoot

Grab a blanket, some leaves, and a camera (or phone) and you’re good to go! Take some silly shots of your kids. You can eventually put them into a Chatbook or online album to see all the years together!

Volunteer

Embrace the essence of the season by turning the first day of fall into a heartwarming tradition of family volunteering. Together, you can make a meaningful impact while fostering togetherness and gratitude amidst the changing leaves. Check your local churches or town bulletins for more information.

Watch a Fall-Themed Movie

Here are some fall-ish movies to watch as a family!

1. It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966) – A classic animated TV special that captures the Halloween spirit with the Peanuts gang.
2. The Addams Family (1991) – A spooky and humorous film centered around the quirky Addams family as they navigate daily life.
3. Corpse Bride (2005) – A stop-motion animated fantasy film directed by Tim Burton, featuring a mix of romance and dark humor.
4. Hotel Transylvania (2012) – An animated comedy that brings monsters together at a hotel for Dracula’s daughter’s 118th birthday, set against a Halloween backdrop.
5. Monster House (2006) – An animated film about three kids who suspect their neighbor’s house is actually a living, breathing monster.
6. Coco (2017) – A heartwarming Pixar film set around the Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertos, which falls around the same time as Halloween.
7. ParaNorman (2012) – A stop-motion animated film that follows a young boy with the ability to see and speak to ghosts, a perfect fit for the Halloween season.
8. Curious George: A Halloween Boo Fest (2013) – A family-friendly animated film featuring the beloved character Curious George as he celebrates Halloween.
9. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) – Although not exclusively an autumn film, the bicycle-riding scenes through the falling leaves give it an autumnal charm.
10. The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008) – A fantasy film based on the book series, where siblings discover a hidden world of magical creatures.
11. Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005) – A stop-motion comedy that features the eccentric inventor Wallace and his loyal dog Gromit dealing with a vegetable-munching monster.
12. The Witches (2020) – A remake of Roald Dahl’s classic story about a young boy who encounters a group of child-hating witches.
13. Frankenweenie (2012) – A stop-motion animated film directed by Tim Burton, telling the tale of a boy who brings his pet dog back to life.
14. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (1949) – An animated adaptation of Washington Irving’s classic tale, featuring the headless horseman.
15. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) – As mentioned earlier, this animated musical can be enjoyed by families as it seamlessly blends Halloween and Christmas themes.

Go on a Nature Walk

If you’re interested in more ways to spend time with your littles in nature, check out our post, “Playing in the Rain with Your Toddler“

This is another one of our fall traditions. Embrace the crisp air and vibrant foliage by establishing a cherished first-day-of-fall tradition: a family nature walk. Wander through the beauty of autumn together, creating lasting memories amid the rustling leaves and natural wonder.

Create Autumn Themed Art

There are endless options here:

• Use fall colors (red, yellow, brown, green) in your preferred medium (tissue paper, crayons, markers, paint)
• Do tree painting (tape paper to a tree trunk and let the kids have at it)
• Paint or decorate pine cones, leaves, etc
• Crush dried leaves and glue them to paper
• Create fall crowns
• Paint a branch

Have another idea? Let me know below!

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As the first day of fall ushers in a season of warmth, change, and togetherness, these traditions can help to create a memorable autumn with your children. From family volunteering to nature walks that deepen your connection with the world around you, each tradition captures the essence of the season in its own unique way.

As you embark on this journey of autumnal discovery, remember that the magic of fall lies not only in the changing leaves but also in the bonds you forge and the memories you weave with your little ones.

What are your first day of fall traditions? Let me know below!

O.

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