Fun autumn activities to do with your grandchildren

Crunchy red and orange leaves, big scarves and cinnamon spice. Autumn is in full swing, and while we start settling into the colder season, it’s the perfect time of year to go exploring with your grandchildren, creating some cherished keepsakes together or getting cosy in front of the fire.

Read on for some fun autumn activities to do with your grandchildren that will not only create wonderful memories together but teach them all about this wonderful season.

Get back to nature

With fiery-orange leaves coating the ground, the sun breaking through the trees and the air crisp and light, Autumn is the most perfect time of year for bundling up in warm clothes and exploring local parks and forests with your grandchildren.

Unicorn Puffs and Rainbows blogger Carley recommends going for a family stroll and picnic. “There’s nothing better than a flask of hot chocolate and an autumn picnic. Often, we think picnics are just for summer but a stroll on a beautiful sunny autumn day is lovely.”

If you’re not reliant on a mobility aid like a stair lift and can walk on uneven, inclined terrain, you’ll certainly want to take your grandchildren exploring off the beaten path on a sensory adventure, scavenging items to take home while you explore deep into woods.

Nicola from Mummy to Dex told us what makes it such a thrilling experience. “We love going to the woods and exploring all the sensory aspects that autumn brings: the colours of the leaves as they fall to the ground, the sound of the leaves as your feet crunch over them, the smells from the increasingly damp forest floor and the touch of the smooth conkers, crisp fallen leaves and dry bark. We also enjoy collecting bits and pieces to bring home and I often take with us a scavenger list which includes acorns, pine cones, conkers and different coloured leaves.”

Get crafty

Once you’ve found some nice bits and pieces to collect, why not consider making a few cherishable arts and crafts decorations with them? Not only does it mean you get to spend more quality time together, you get to create something meaningful to hold onto.

“My children love collecting autumn treasures like conkers, pine cones, leaves and acorns,” says Claire from The Lady Bird’s Adventures. “Once home we use these natural loose parts in our play - everything from using them with playdough to painting with them.”

As well as collecting materials to take home, Kariss from Shy Strange Manic suggests showing your grandchildren how to take tree bark rubbings to use later in your arts and crafts session later too. “Go into the woods while it’s in full autumn mode and do some tree rubbings. It’s a fun activity, connects with nature and brings out the artist in all children!”

If you’re feeling really crafty, Kaya from Earning By The Sea suggests making a wreath together.  “Recently, we made an autumn wreath. Using a paper plate, we cut out the centre and painted it, then we went for a walk and collected leaves and glued them to it. It was great fun and didn't cost us anything!”

Of course, we couldn’t leave out pumpkin painting as a top autumn craft idea. Devon Mama blogger Hayley says it’s a great indoor activity when it’s raining. “One of our favourite autumn activities has to be painting pumpkins (far easier and more child-friendly than carving them). It’s a lovely way to talk about autumn events and getting some crafting done with minimal fuss.”

Pine cones are also perfect for painting and make really lovely Christmas decorations too, says Claire from Daily Deals Blog. “I take my children pine cone collecting. We get a big bag full from the local churchyard and then turn them into festive decorations for the Christmas tree and a centrepiece for the Christmas table. It's fun, cheap and the kids love their work being displayed and commented on at Christmas. All you need is some glue, glitter and spray paint or spray snow.”

Cook up a storm

Another reason to love this stunning season is the delectable array of autumn spices and flavours to experiment within the kitchen. Cooking is a great way to spend time with your grandchildren, and teaching them how to cook an autumn recipe gets them learning about the different flavours, spices and produce of the season.

For a fun recipe to make with your grandchildren, Olivia from Dungarees and Donuts recommends making chocolate apples, giving them a spooky Halloween theme if you want to. “I absolutely adore making them. It allows kids to be creative by decorating their apples and the possibilities are endless of what you can choose to decorate them with.”

Blogger Hayley from Miss Many Pennies recommends picking blackberries to use in a warming autumn pudding. “Once you’ve collected your blackberries you can use them for extra fun baking. Crumbles or muffins are great for using up blackberries.”

For something more savoury, making a butternut squash soup together is perfect for warming you up after a long day exploring and crafting. As the dish is packed full of good nutrients, it’s the perfect pick-me-up to enjoy in front of the fire.

Alternatively, you could make an indulgent hot chocolate to cuddle up with, says Hayley. Once all the hard work is done or if the weather turns drizzly, there really is no better way to spend time with your grandchildren. “Hot chocolate and marshmallows are a must! For those autumn days where the leaves are just too soggy for crunching, we love to cosy up on the sofa and watch a film together.”

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Fun autumn activities to do with your grandchildren:

• Get back to nature
• Get crafty
• Cook up a storm

READ ALSO: Tips and advice for grandparents