It's officially fall y’all! This is the perfect time of year to take advantage of the cooler weather and the numerous fun activities that are available for families to enjoy with their children. We have rounded up a list of eight autumn activities that would be suitable for families facing a cancer diagnosis. We are confident that each of these activities will provide a fun distraction from treatment and that your family will make memories to last a lifetime!
A night spent camping under the stars in your backyard is an incredible way to help your children feel like they are embarking on a big adventure without ever having to leave the comfort of your own home. Pitch a tent and some sleeping bags; set up a movie screen and pop some popcorn then settle in for a night of family fun and relaxation. This is a great way to welcome in the fall season and to take advantage of the cooler nights. In addition, this would provide a nice distraction from treatment even if only for one night.
There are so many wonderful flavors that come with the fall season! Spending an afternoon baking treats with your children is a fun way to embrace the season while keeping them occupied. Keep it simple by choosing easy recipes that have minimal steps, so it’s easy for your children to help! We suggest baking mini apple pies, pumpkin bread, muffins, or Halloween cake pops.
No matter where you live, chances are there is an orchard within driving distance of you! Apple picking would be the perfect way to spend a nice fall day. Your entire family is sure to have lots of fun! Oftentimes orchards offer hayrides and have other kid-friendly activities on site. Be sure to take plenty of apples home with you. There are plenty of ways you can use your apples, but a few of our favorites include making: apple muffins, apple crisp, caramel apples, baked apple chips, and apple pie.
Whether you live in a big city or in the mountains there is sure to be a trail or park that you can take advantage of! We suggest finding a nice area close to where you live, a picnic or simply some snacks, and enjoying a nice hike in the crisp fall air. This will encourage your children to exercise and will help them to appreciate the great outdoors.
Have a family fun night watching movies centered around a fall theme. There are so many great Halloween movies for kids and families that are perfect for a cozy night in. Make a pallet on the floor, order your favorite pizza, and pop some popcorn. Take this time to relax and enjoy spending quality time with your children.
A corn maze is a guaranteed good time! This is another fun activity that gets your family up and moving. It is also a great team-building exercise as you work together to figure out how to maneuver the maze. Encourage your kids to put their thinking caps on to decipher which paths should be taken in order to find the exit. Enjoy the time outside!
Crafts are the perfect activity for any child. They help to keep children entertained and they help to take their mind off of things like treatment and pain. In addition, crafts encourage them to use their creativity. Chances are you already have the necessary supplies on hand to create some fun fall crafts. It would also be fun to gather some art supplies from nature such as leaves, pinecones, or pumpkins.
Pumpkin carving is certainly not a unique idea, however, we think it would make the perfect fall activity to do with your children! Let your kids choose the design they wish to carve and make a night out of it. If your child is too young to carve a pumpkin, perhaps you could suggest they paint their pumpkin instead. These pumpkins will make for some fun front porch decorations!
Fall is a season that offers a multitude of fun activities for all ages. We are confident these eight activities would be perfect for any family facing the harsh reality of a cancer diagnosis. We truly believe that your children will wholeheartedly enjoy all of these activities. It is our hope that your children will be having such a good time participating in these things that they forget about their diagnosis, even if just for an hour or two.