Having Fun with Fall
Fall is a beautiful time of year. After all, what’s not to like? The weather cools down, Halloween is approaching and people start baking pumpkin-flavored treats. Getting your senior up and out of the house while spending time with loved ones can boost their mood and create wonderful memories.
Here are just a few fun Fall activities to consider:
Enjoy the Crisp Air with Walks
Fall is the perfect time to take regular walks. Depending on the area, seniors should be able to see plenty of fall colors in the trees and bushes along walking paths. Not only are fall walks full of beautiful scenery as the leaves change colors, but they’re also good for the body.
Of course, you should pay attention to safety during any active fun fall activities for seniors like this. Make sure everyone is dressed properly for the weather, and consider any physical limitations before deciding how far to walk. For seniors who can’t walk more than a few steps at a time, a visit to a park or a stroll in a wheelchair will still allow them to see the changing colors and enjoy the crisp fall air.
Below are just a few of our beautiful parks in Massachusetts:
The Boston Public Garden
In the heart of Boston Proper, the Public Garden is where you'll usually spot the bright splashes of foliage on the first fall days, usually on small ornamental Japanese maple trees.
Dating back to Boston's Victorian era, the Public Garden contains dense groupings of specimen trees and shrubs from around the world. Each species changes color at a slightly different time, making a constantly shifting tapestry of autumnal tones. Late-blooming roses add to the colorful mix
Boston Common, the 44 acre plot where the first English settler in the area built his cabin back in 1625 and a center of activity for Bostonians ever since. There is a spectacular display of color, throughout the fall months.
Bird Park Walpole
Beach trees that line the entrance turn a bright orange-red color. There’s also a variety of sugar and red maple trees.
Rocky Woods, Medfield
Perfect for families, Rocky Woods offers six miles of easy terrain, for a relaxed leaf peeping experience.
Ravenswood Park, Gloucester
This park is a dog-friendly network of old carriage roads and woodland trails, spanning 600-acres.
Bear Swamp, Ashfield
Beaver pond is surrounded by maple, birch, and other tree species that show off some wonderful color.
Noanet Woodlands, Dover
See an off-the-beaten path skyline view of Boston from the top. There's also 17-miles of leaf-covered cart paths and trails.
Weir Hill, North Andover
The lake in these Merrimack Valley woodlands reflects seasonal color.
Watch a Movie
With Halloween approaching, fall is a great time to get into scary movies. Try to stick to the classics that most seniors will fondly remember having watched in high school or college. You can’t go wrong with those movies, such as:
The Curse of Frankenstein
Creature from the Black Lagoon
Invasion of the Body Snatchers, or Dracula
Fly Away Home
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
Once you decide on the movie, get together some snacks your loved one will enjoy. Fall-themed food, such as Halloween candy or anything with pumpkin in it, would be perfect. But don’t forget to grab some popcorn and your loved one’s favorite drinks before the movie starts.
Make Fall Crafts
Some fall activities for seniors involve a little creativity, so if your elderly relative is somewhat artistic, go ahead and plan a few fall crafts to do together. A popular craft for the fall is an autumn wreath that features everything from fall leaves and tiny pumpkins to pine cones and small ears of corn.
Granted, not everyone is crafty or wants to get super creative. But it’s still possible to be artistic no matter your skill level. You can simply print out fall-themed coloring pages, since adult coloring is known for being relaxing for people of any age.
Another great craft to do is decorate a bird house, the house and supplies can be bought at Michaels. Your elderly friend can let their creative juices flow as they paint, glue or build their own if they are up for the challenge. It will be something pretty to look at throughout the winter and it gives the birds a safe shelter to nest in.
Bake Some Sweet Fall Treats
One of the sweetest fun fall activities for seniors involves baking. Fall is the perfect time to break out some canned pumpkin, pie crusts and plenty of cinnamon. But you don’t just have to stick to the typical pumpkin pie or apple pie.
Try making some tasty fall-inspired breakfast options, such as pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin bread, or cinnamon rolls. Your fall baking recipes are basically endless, allowing you both a chance to get together and celebrate this season in the yummiest way.
Visit a Local Pumpkin Patch
Visiting a local pumpkin patch is a great day trip. Most cities have a few to choose from, making it easy for you and your loved ones to get together to pick a few pumpkins straight from the patch—rather than just buying them from the store.
Most pumpkin patches even have other activities, such as petting zoos, pumpkin decorating stations, and hayrides. They also sometimes feature onsite bakeries that use fresh pumpkins, apples and other locally grown produce in all their recipes.
Get Ready for Halloween
Halloween may only last for a day, but the preparation leading up to it means there are plenty of opportunities for fun fall activities. Start by taking a trip to the store to get candy for trick or treaters. You can then make a fun activity by putting a few pieces of candy in several Halloween-themed treat bags to give out.
And if you brought home a few pumpkins from the pumpkin patch, now is the time to start carving and decorating them before Halloween arrives.
Fall is a wonderful time of year for most due to it’s comfortable temperatures and enjoyable seasonal changes. With winter entering after fall, it might be time to think about other solutions for those you are caring for. We have caregiving options that can help give you peace of mind during any season.