Live Healthy Live Well

Amid all of the crazy busyness of our daily lives, it’s paramount to spend time together as a family. Common activities strengthen family bonds and build a strong foundation for nurturing, communicative, healthy relationships; those feel-good family moments.

Autumn provides opportunities for those feel-good family moments by enjoying the beauty of nature while learning about life on the farm through the neighborhood pumpkin patch. No matter what your age, there’s something very special about visiting a pumpkin patch and what better way to strengthen your family than a fall family outing?

I don’t know about you, but in my travels this fall, not a day goes by that I don’t see an opportunity to visit a neighborhood pumpkin patch.

Agritourism (income from agriculture tourism) allows farm operations to boost their income by adding a variety of activities such as pick your own pumpkin, apple, or produce patches; haunted trail/scary maze; fun-centers with bounce houses and slides; barn parties; and petting zoos with llamas, alpacas, goats, ducks, and geese. These activities bring out the “kid” in all of us.

Undeniably, what people go in search of in the neighborhood pumpkin patch are pumpkins. But, what people are really seeking is a good time, and a memorable family experience.

In addition to the neighborhood pumpkin patch, here are a few suggestions to increase time together with the family this fall –

• Pumpkin carving or decorated gourd contest – Have a pumpkin carving or decorated gourd contest. Set the timer for one hour and allow each member to create the pumpkin/gourd of their choice. Have a friendly competition, awarding a prize for the best decorated pumpkin/gourd.
• Build a scarecrow – Make a scarecrow together using at least one piece of clothing from every family member. This can be especially fun if you find old pieces of clothing that have a story or a special memory.
• Read some fun fall books – Visit your local library for a variety of fall-themed books you can enjoy as a family. Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf by Lois Ehlert and Pumpkin Circle – The Story of a Garden by George Levenson are two great choices to get you started! Head to your local library and see what titles await you.

Happy fall!

Written by: Cynthia R. Shuster, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Sciences, Perry County, Buckeye Hills EERA

Reviewed by: Lisa Barlage, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Sciences, Ross County/Ohio Valley EERA.