Making Memories: Piles of Leaves, Piles of Smiles

Temperatures are cooling down; leaves are turning beautiful colors. There is a good chance you are already groaning at the thought of raking up those never-ending, car-size piles of leaves this fall—just another task on that checklist. Until now…you have grandkids!

One of the most significant parts of fall is all the fantastic leaves of different sizes, shapes, and textures. This is the time of year to get your grandchildren outside to enjoy the change in seasons. Put away that leaf blower, break out the yard rakes, and engage the kids in the art of raking leaves. They don't have to be perfect. After all, you can follow up with a leaf blower when they have gone home. Show them how to rake them into piles, move the leaves to a tarp or basket, and consolidate the leaves into a big pile. Once they have finished, invite them to play in the leaves.

Or, instead of making one big leaf pile to jump in, make a trail of smaller piles and encourage them to jump from one to the next without touching the ground in between. Once they jump through the whole line, add new challenges like hopping on one foot, skipping, or even jumping backward.

Nothing is more fun or memorable than playing in the leaves during the fall season.

Another fall leaf activity is a scavenger hunt to search for the prettiest colored leaf. This allows children to run around, expend energy, and use their brains to evaluate which leaves are prettier than any others. It is also an exercise in decision-making since you ask them to find 'the prettiest'. Once they have decided which is the prettiest, you can break out the crayons or colored pencils and paper. This activity could be done at the kitchen table, porch, or deck. Have them trace the outline of the leaf on the paper, use the leaf as a model and try to reproduce the colors with their crayons or colored pencils. Have lots of paper available since most children want a couple of 'do-overs .'Perfect refrigerator picture memories you can enjoy after the grandchildren return home.

 As summer fades, take time to celebrate this next season fast approaching. Think about the things you did outside this time of year. The suggestions above are free yet immensely memorable. Even today, when I have raked (or leaf-blow) my leaves into a pile, I itch to jump into the center and fling leaves around. The feeling is fabulous and very soul-satisfying. I’m not sure if my neighbors appreciate seeing an old lady playing in a pile of leaves, but whatever.

Don’t live in a place with leaves? No worries, a nearby park or a drive into the country. Fall is everywhere. We just need to use our imagination on where to create the memories.

Kids of all ages can learn so much from the world when we take a minute and point out the small things that often go unnoticed.

What was the most memorable activity for you during fall as a child? Can you turn this into a memory for your grandchildren this fall season?