It’s that time of year where I don’t know what’s in the air but I get creative! I guess after lounging around during the summer and seeing all the amazing beauty outside, I feel inspired. Hence the series on Frugal Fall Fun.
1) Bake Pumpkin Seeds.
As well as the traditional carving ideas, pumpkin seeds are yummy and a fun cooking project for toddlers. Plus, it’s easy!
Step 1: Cut the pumpkin in half.
Step 2: Scoop out the seeds and place on a greased cookie sheet.
Step 3: Bake at about 200 for around 10 minutes. We like to cover ours with salt.
Alternative idea: I remember as a kid my Mum helping us turn seeds into jewelry.
For more see: How To Cook A Pumpkin From Scratch.
2) Take a Nature Walk.
Needed:
- Bag to collect items
- Picnic
- Treasure hunt paper and pens
One of the greatest things about fall is the gorgeous weather and spectacular displays of nature. In fact it’s a perfect time to pack a picnic and head out on a nature walk. Depending how old your kids are will depend on how in depth you get with the walk. Isaac is 2 so I opted for fairly simple.
- Take a bag with you to collect nature treasures such as fallen leaves, grasses and acorns.
- Make up a treasure hunt sheet of things they have to find and give them a pen and some paper. Every time they find an object they get to check it off until they’ve found them all.
- Make it into a game and see who can find the most treasure the first.
3) Leaf Rubbing.
Needed:
- Your bag of treasure from the nature walk.
- Crayons
- White paper
- Construction paper
- Glue
Having brought home our bag of goodies Isaac and I set to work making special pictures. I got out the glue stick and helped in stick on all of our goodies we’d collected except the acorns. I was pretty impressed with him although I added a little sticky tape as our glue wasn’t so sticky!
Another great way to use the objects is to do leaf rubbings. Simply get a piece of white paper and place a leaf under it. Then grab some crayons and have your child rub over the top until you make a picture.
What a great way to preserve your nature treasure hunt! The only thing is Isaac loved the acorns and so i displayed them in a bowl. He wasn’t happy with that as he wanted to play with them of make a picture! Anyone got any creative ideas for acorns?
4) Potato Stamping.
First get a small potato and cut shapes out with a knife. I found that the simpler the design the better the print which is good for non-creative types like me!
Cover your little monkey. I certainly didn’t want paint everywhere. I just laid out a big piece of paper and let him have at it.
You can keep it simple or get carried away. I drew an apple tree on the page and Isaac stamped apples on it. Very seasonal.
British stay at home Mum of 2 teaches you how to coupon, meal plan, find bargains, and pay it forward on a budget….all while balancing two rambunctious boys. A website for Moms by a Mum who knows the challenges of deal hunting with kids. (
