5 Family Fun Fall Activities

In the fall there is a natural excitement for harvest that has been instilled into us for generations. This is a great opportunity to connect back to agriculture, so get out there and try some of this family-friendly farm fun! 

1. Farmer's Markets

Support local agriculture, get fresh produce and talk to a real farmer to learn about his/her operation. Find a farmer's market near you!

Learn more and read this recommended book, Farmers Market.

2. Apple Picking

CC BY-ND 2.0 image courtesy of Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism on Flickr

Picking apples is always a fun activity to do with your family. Apples are usually ripe from September to October.

Try out this fun apple craft: Cut an apple in half horizontally to expose the star in the middle. Dry off the apple, dip it in paint and stamp away!

Want to further explore apples? Read The Apple Orchard Riddle or Apple Countdown.

3. Pumpkin Patches

Did you know that pumpkins are a fruit!? Does your state grow pumpkins? Find a pumpkin patch near you!

Read How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin? and Pumpkin Countdown with your little ones to practice counting while discussing pumpkins. 

4. Corn Mazes

CC BY 2.0 image courtesy of katiebordner on Flickr

Do you know the difference between field corn and sweet corn?

Although field corn kernels start out soft like sweet corn, it’s not harvested until the kernels are dry. Field corn is used to feed livestock, make the renewable fuel ethanol and thousands of other bio-based products like carpet, make-up or aspirin. Sweet corn is harvested when the kernels are soft and sweet, making it ideal for eating. So if you grab an ear of field corn and try to take a bite, you’ll probably break your teeth.

Elaine Landau's Popcorn! delves into everything you want to know about popcorn. (Yes, another type of corn!)

Gail Gibbons' Corn book describes the 4 major types of corn and contains a plethora of accurate agriculture information on corn!

5. Hayrides

CC BY-ND 2.0 image courtesy of Iris on Flickr

Hayrides give the public a chance to tour the farm! But did you know you probably aren't sitting on hay? You are most likely sitting on straw!

Straw is a by-product of seed or grain production. When grain crops like wheat are harvested for their seed, stalks are left behind and harvested to create straw. 

Hay is grown specifically for use and is cut before plant goes to seed. Because of this, hay has more nutrients than straw because valuable nutrients in the stalks are still there. Farmers usually use hay to feed their livestock because of the high nutritional value, while straw is usually used for animal bedding or “hayrides.” 

Want to learn about more common ag mix-ups? Check out Goat vs. Sheep & Other Ag Mix-Ups.