How Prenatal Exercise Can Benefit You and Your Baby

How Prenatal Exercise Can Benefit You and Your Baby

March 15th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Can you imagine that there was a time when women were expected to rest and not get exercise during pregnancy? What were we thinking? It has become clear over the past 50-60 years that women need exercise and that exercise helps create a healthy mother and a healthy baby.

Of course, we all know that exercise benefits everyone. There are so many ways that exercise helps both the mind and the body that once you know about them it can seem crazy not to exercise. However, despite the fact that pregnant women were once told to avoid exercise, prenatal exercise has wonderful benefits for them as well.

The pregnant woman who gets a good amount of prenatal exercise will have stronger muscles for labor and delivery and to support loose joints. This will also help improve posture and reduce back pain. Exercise will also help a pregnant woman experience increased circulation, which is vital in carrying oxygen and nutrients to the developing baby, and increased flexibility. Exercise will also relieve muscle tension and help the mother-to-be feel more relaxed.

The above are all physical benefits of prenatal exercise, but exercise also carries mental benefits. You see, when we exercise, our brains produce a chemical called serotonin. This is a wonderful chemical that makes us feel good. During pregnancy the mental and emotional boost we get from exercise can help battle the mood swings brought about by hormones and promote a feeling of happiness and wellbeing.

Of course, it is important to ensure that you exercise safely while pregnant. You should never just jump into a new exercise routine while pregnant. If you have not been exercising prior to pregnancy, then take it slow and start off with walking or swimming a few minutes each day. You can increase as you feel ready, eventually reaching 30-45 minutes 3-4 days per week. If you were physically active prior to pregnancy, then you can generally keep doing what you were doing before as long as there are no complications in your pregnancy. For example, if you are a runner you can still run during pregnancy.

It is important to follow some general guidelines when doing prenatal exercises. Avoid activities that require good balance, especially after the fourth month. Avoid high-impact activities and avoid activities that involve deep muscle stretching. Also be sure to keep yourself well hydrated and do not raise your heart rate such that you cannot talk normally while exercising. You should sweat, but only moderately. Also, be sure that your body temperature doesn’t rise too much. You don’t want to overheat.

Before starting any prenatal exercise program it is important to discuss it with your doctor or midwife. You want to be sure they know what you are doing and that they give you the thumbs-up. This way you will know that you are completely safe in doing what you are doing, instead of second-guessing yourself. Your healthcare provider will also let you know the signs to watch out for if a problem develops during your exercise.

Prenatal exercise will allow you to have a healthier pregnancy, an easier labor and delivery, and you will bounce back faster after having your baby. You will look and feel great during and after your pregnancy and just might be more fit after baby arrives than you were before.

Navigating the Fun Feeding Phase with a Baby Food Chart

Navigating the Fun Feeding Phase with a Baby Food Chart

March 15th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

A baby food chart is one of those things that you may underestimate the importance of until you need it.

What kind of baby food should you feed your baby? Which solids do you start with first? How can you be sure that they are getting enough? Will it always be this messy?

Though such a chart may not help you with all aspects of feeding your baby, they can really come in handy for laying it all out and outlining which foods and which amounts work the very best. So if you feel as though you will always wander through these developmental years without a clue, know that certain tools can make your job as parent far easier.

Tools in Conjunction with Good Solid Medical Advice

Before you make any major moves in your baby’s dietary needs, it’s always wise to check with your pediatrician. You want to be sure that you don’t have any restrictions to work through, but once you have been cleared then you can enter the world of feeding your little one baby food. This can present great excitement, a bit of anxiety, and of course a big mess along the way.

A baby food chart helps to outline which foods work best depending on the age of your baby. A chart such as this one http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/baby-food-nutrition-9/baby-food-timeline can not only help you to understand the most appropriate timeline, but also get ideas for the right foods to feed your baby.

As you enter the world of solids, you may start out with baby food or may wish to make your own. It matters not how you come by the food, it only matters that you utilize the best food groups for your baby. It’s always best, for example, to start out with vegetables so that you get your baby used to the taste and texture. At that, starting with yellow and orange vegetables such as carrots and squash can work best as they tend to present the least gas for your baby. You’ll see many different examples provided – Baby Food Chart. You will learn that certain fruits work wonders at first, while some are better to hold off on.

Mastering the Science of Baby Food

They say that if at first your baby doesn’t like a certain type of baby food, keep trying. Utilizing a baby food chart, you can see what sorts of options you have at the age and level you are at with feeding your baby. It may take up to twenty times for your little one to develop a taste for something, so just keep going through the rotation and trying new foods. Solid foods present a very exciting time of your baby’s life, both for you and for them. You are opening their eyes to a whole new world, and in no time at all they will be growing and thriving in a way that you’ve never seen before.

Just one look at the grocery aisle and you will quickly see that there are so many different options. A baby food chart can help you to uncover what works best for your baby’s age, stage, and tastes. Go with a name that you know such as Gerber, because as you will see through this tool http://www.gerber.com/AllStages/Nutrition_and_Feeding/SHSH_Nutrition_Education.aspx, there are specific needs that work best for specific stages. You can’t be expected to know how it all works on your own as this is as new to you as it is to your baby. Once you get the hang of it though, you can enjoy seeing your baby light up as you provide them with new and exciting food groups—and a baby food chart can help you to navigate your way.

The Advantages of an Infant Food Chart

The Advantages of an Infant Food Chart

March 14th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

An infant food chart can play an instrumental role in raising a newborn. The reality is that we all need a bit of help when it comes to keeping our child’s nutritional needs on track. We all want to raise healthy eaters and we want to ensure that above and beyond anything else that our little one gets the proper nutrition to grow and move to the next level of their life.

Before you have your baby, you have no idea just how important the notion of feeding your baby is. When you see what an important role tracking their feeding can play, then infant food charts seem like a natural way of parenting and great way to stay organized. With all that has changed in our daily lives, these charts can help to keep some sort of order and help us to stay organized amidst a lot of change and transition.

Determine the Primary Source of Feeding

The needs for a breastfed baby are very different than those of a bottle fed child. The reality of the situation is that breast fed babies tend to eat more often, and it’s often difficult to determine just how much they are getting at each feeding. Therefore following the guidelines provided through an infant food chart such as this http://www.raisehealthyeaters.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/infantfeedingchartweb.pdf can be invaluable. The wonderful part of a chart like this is that it shows side by side how to change things up for breastfeeding or bottle feeding. Though it may change over time, it’s quite important to think through what the primary food source for your infant will be.

If you are dealing with a bottle-fed baby, then they may quickly move up in their feeding needs. They may eat less often, sleep longer, but may require more food at one sitting. An infant food chart can help you to tune in to what your baby needs, but again it’s very important to tune into what the primary source of feeding will be. If you are combining cereal or solid baby foods, then you may scale back on the milk that you provide. However this will come sometime later. The only constant that you should see in your baby’s diet is milk (breast milk or formula) in any form, so be sure that you know this and prepare for it accordingly. Decide upon your main food source and stick with it for as long as possible-this consistency is good for you and for the baby.

Helping You to Line Up with Medical Advice

When you follow the guidelines established through an official site such as this http://www.dhss.mo.gov/dnhs_pdfs/R_CACFP_FoodChartInfant.pdf , then you can quickly work to cater to your baby’s nutritional needs. Not only does an infant food chart help you to stay organized, but it can help you to present what’s been going on with your infant at their next pediatrician appointment. They will want to know and perhaps see firsthand what sort of trends and patterns are developing. If you attempt to handle this on your own without the help of any charts, then you may not be providing an accurate account.

As you can expect your pediatrician to ask about your infant’s feedings each and every time that they go in for an appointment, these charts can prove to be quite helpful. As a natural part of the baby’s development, feeding quantities and schedules play an important and even pivotal role. You can work with your pediatrician in a more orchestrated manner if you know how to measure your baby’s progress and feedings. So consider turning to an infant food chart for insight, for proper measuring, and to go hand in hand with the advice of your doctor.

The Importance of a Baby Eating Chart

The Importance of a Baby Eating Chart

March 13th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

A baby eating chart can be most helpful at any age. Though you are sure to get the hang of it as you move forward through your parenting years, it does take time initially.

As a parent, some of the most important tasks can include feeding your baby, detecting their sleep schedules, and providing them with the very best care possible. One can get confused and easily bogged down in all the details that go into this very care. If you don’t have it already written down, do you think that you could determine your baby’s schedule over the course of a day? It may sound like a simple enough task, but it’s much more involved and complicated than you might think. Fortunately when you use a chart to help you stay organized and alert, you can stay tuned in with your baby’s needs. This helps you as a parent in so many different ways.

Are Feedings Really That Important?

We know that our baby requires nutrients to grow bigger and stronger. However, one may wonder as a parent how important is it to maintain regular feedings anyhow? Can’t we just feed our baby when they seem hungry? Though the instinct is there, what a good chart can help you to determine is if you are feeding enough and if the time slots are spaced out appropriately. A perfect example of a baby eating chart is one such as this http://www.babyzone.com/baby/nutrition-chart.pdf which quickly and easily points out what your baby should eat at any age, and in what amount their consumption is appropriate. Though your instinct may tell you otherwise, this is a good sort of guideline to follow.

In addition to the specific foods that they should be eating at every age also comes the amounts that they should be consuming. Take a look at a chart and guidelines such as these http://www.med.umich.edu/yourchild/topics/feedbaby.htm and you will see that you need to pay close attention to the quantity as much as the actual foods themselves. This is where a baby eating chart can come in handy as you can quickly detect what’s going on throughout their day and week, and ensure that your baby is getting exactly what they need overall.

Be Able to View the Snapshot

As with any other parenting tool, the beauty of a baby eating chart is that it helps you to look at what’s going on in a snapshot. You can quickly and easily see how much your baby is eating, and look for any necessary adjustments. This is highly important because it will allow you to determine when it’s time to move up the amount you feed or may even indicate when it’s time to move to the next level. Though you may be inclined to do this on your own, your pediatrician will most likely ask you to provide an overview of what your baby is eating and in which amount they tend to consume.

You are the sole provider for your baby’s well being. You are the one that they look to for comfort, and for whom they rely on for all of their needs. Therefore you want to rely on something like a baby eating chart to help you to see what is going well with their nutritional needs, and what may need to change up a bit. Why risk the potential for forgetting important details when you can use the help of a tool like a chart to see what you can change up and what you can keep constant? As a parent we want the very best for our children, and tools such as this allow us to keep on track with our little ones.

What to Expect at Baby’s First Check Up

What to Expect at Baby’s First Check Up

March 12th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Your newborn will probably be due for his first in-office visit with his doctor at two to four weeks old. This first check up is a great time to address any concerns you might have as a new mother, and also an exciting chance to see how your little one is growing and changing.

At this visit, your baby will be weighed and have his head circumference and length measured. Then the doctor will give your newborn a thorough physical, and ask you some questions about his progress. Depending on your baby’s vaccination schedule, he may be due for immunization shots at this visit.

What the Doctor is Looking For

Your baby’s doctor will check his eyes, ears and mouth, and listen to his heart and lungs to make sure everything appears and sounds normal. The doctor will also check baby’s genitals to ensure everything is normal and also to check the progress of healing if your baby boy was circumcised. Next, the doctor will lay baby on his back and bicycle his legs to check for normal hip function.

Your baby’s weight and height will be recorded on a growth chart, which will track his progress throughout childhood. You will probably be given a percentile into which your baby falls for height, weight, and head circumference. The percentile simply tells you what percentage of babies fall above or below your baby at that age for these measurements. New parents are often concerned about percentiles, but there is no reason to be! As long as your baby continues to follow his growth curve, the percentiles are nothing to worry about.

Questions the Doctor May Ask You

Much of the discussion will revolve around baby’s sleep and feeding patterns. The doctor will want to know how often baby feeds; you will be asked how long she stays on the breast if nursing, or how much she takes in a bottle if using formula. Although it might seem like a strange question, your doctor will want to know how many wet and dirty diapers your baby has every day. This is important to ensure baby is getting enough food and liquid. You will also be asked how long her stretches of sleep are, and what type of pattern they follow.

In addition to checking her ears and eyes, the doctor will ask you some questions regarding sight and hearing. You will likely be asked whether your baby turns her head at the sound of your voice, and if she startles at loud noises. Sight questions might include whether baby makes eye contact with you or follows an object with her eyes. These questions will help your baby’s doctor to determine that your baby’s eyes and ears are functioning properly. Finally, you will be asked about baby’s strength and gross motor skills, such as ability to lift her head.

Questions You May Have

When your baby’s doctor has completed the examination, it will be your turn to address any concerns you might have. It’s a good idea to keep a list of the questions that have come up since bringing your baby home, so that you don’t forget what you wanted to ask. Don’t be afraid to speak up even if you think a question is silly. Your baby’s doctor is there to help you to understand your new baby’s development.

This first visit will set the tone for all your baby’s future check ups, which will follow the same pattern. Your doctor will probably want to see baby again at two months old for her next check up.

Using a Baby Feeding Chart as a Helpful Parenting Tool

Using a Baby Feeding Chart as a Helpful Parenting Tool

March 12th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Before you become a parent, you may not even know what something like a baby feeding chart even is. As a new parent, there are so many things that are thrilling about your new little bundle of joy. There are also so many things that are completely overwhelming, and these are the elements of parenthood that you are often unprepared for.

Even with the best preparation, you may feel totally lost when it comes to something like feeding your baby. You may just assume that when your baby is born you will know exactly what to do in terms of feeding as this is an inherent part of providing for your young. Whether you’re breastfeeding or bottle feeding, the notion of providing nourishment for your baby always seems to be a major adjustment within parenthood. Knowing this can take some of the pressure off, and finding the tools and resources that you need can make your job as a parent so much easier.

Understanding Their Needs Through Time

Parenthood is a wild ride, that’s one thing that’s for sure! Feeding your baby can actually be an activity that you enjoy-and you can be confident that you are providing the very best baby food in the appropriate amount; although this may take some getting used to on your own, it can be easily accomplished with the help of a baby feeding chart.

At the basic level this is something as simple as recording your baby’s feeding times and amounts. This may sound fundamental and you may think that this is just an unnecessary step. However when you have that tiny little baby home with you the first few days from the hospital, you’ll be happy to get all the help that you can. There are companies out there that have made this job easier for you, such as Gerber. You can find a simple but effective feeding chart by visiting http://media.gerber.com/nirf/cm2/upload/918F2DE2-A1AA-4396-B600-E85C9F082749/FeedingChart.pdf and this will help you to properly record times and any other pertinent details.

This type of guide works quite well when you’re dealing with an infant, but as they get older their needs get more advanced. Through time you will learn so much about your precious baby and you will even become a bit of an expert at things that concern them. The only thing worth cautioning is that most parents find that just as they think they have it all figured out, along comes a new phase with new challenges and perplexing situations. Know that you’re not alone, and that holds especially true when it comes to feeding your baby.

A baby feeding chart can come in handy throughout the first year of your baby’s life and even beyond. Not only can it be of great help to you as a parent to keep track of their feedings, but it provides a running record of what they enjoy and what they hate.

Understanding and Dissecting the Feeding Chart

You may find that you look back over time as a parent and realize that the needs of your newborn were fairly easy to understand. However when you are going through this stage, you need all the help you can get. Utilizing a baby feeding chart can be instrumental in looking for patterns, and can even be a tool that you use in conjunction with your pediatrician. The needs themselves are pretty fundamental when you consider the diet of a newborn-they are consuming milk alone either through breast or bottle. However when you need to look for patterns in the way in which they eat, how much they are eating, or perhaps any irritations that could lead to allergies, you will be so happy to have this record.

Start with a simple record such as that provided and then use it to your advantage. Write down the times, the amount that your baby eats, and make any special notes such as if they have trouble finishing or if they seem to have an upset tummy after eating. This is your own little journal that you can utilize to get a handle on baby’s feedings, and therefore you want to be sure that you use it to the fullest and manipulate it for your own specific needs.

A Chart As They Get Older

You may think that a baby feeding chart is only helpful when you are dealing with a newborn, but they can be instrumental moving forward. You can turn to different types of charts such as http://www.babycenter.com/0_age-by-age-guide-to-feeding-your-baby_1400680.bc to understand when you should introduce solids or what amount you should be aiming for. The notion of feeding your baby is something that will grow and evolve just as your baby does. As your baby develops more personality, you will begin to really enjoy feeding your little one. Keep up with such charts and resources so that you can be prepared for the current stage and see what lies ahead in the next one. Feeding your baby may start out as a challenge, but as with any other aspect of parenting, you will learn a lot and become an expert in no time at all.

Equality and Family Responsibilities: How to Share the Load

Equality and Family Responsibilities: How to Share the Load

March 11th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Whether you are a two-income family, or one is the breadwinner while the other stays home with the children, finding an equitable method of sharing the family responsibilities can be a challenge. All too often, one parent winds up feeling they are bearing most of the burden. It’s not long before a feeling of being overwhelmed and underappreciated can set in. Keeping family life running smoothly is a task best shared, and the best place to start is by sitting down and formulating a plan.

Take It Seriously

If your partner comes to you complaining of feeling overwhelmed, the first instinct might be a defensive reply outlining just how hard you are working too. That might be true, but try your best to see it from the other side. Especially in a family where one person works outside the home and the other stays with the kids, things really can get off-balance in a hurry. The working parent often feels that because they have to leave the house and earn a paycheck, they aren’t responsible for doing as much around the house.

Bear in mind that a stay at home parent isn’t just doing one job, but multiple jobs every day. The tasks of caring for children, keeping the house clean, preparing several meals a day, and running all the various necessary errands keep this parent who “doesn’t work” going from dawn until dusk. There are no weekends from this job, no vacations, and no sick days either.

If you both work outside the home, you will have a limited number of hours when you are at home to make sure all the household tasks get completed. Both partners need to do their fair share to keep one person from becoming overwhelmed.

Figure Out What Needs to Be Done

Make a detailed list of the daily, weekly, and monthly tasks. Include everything from emptying the dishwasher to taking the kids to check ups. Seeing all the tasks laid out in this manner makes it easier to see just how much there is to get done! Split it into categories: housework, childcare, and errands.

Once you have your list, divide it fairly. There may be some tasks more suited to one partner or the other, and there is nothing wrong with that. It makes sense for a stay at home parent to take the kids to their doctor’s visits. But there is no reason that both parents can’t take turns making dinner.

If there is a task your partner just really can’t stand doing, offer to take it on, but pass on one of your more hated chores in return. You could also decide on a monthly or weekly rotation of chores, so no one is stuck with the same jobs all the time. Don’t forget the kids! Even toddlers can take on a few small chores, and it’s never too early to start teaching responsibility.

Post the list of regular jobs and who is responsible for each in a visible place as a reminder that everyone is accountable for their fair share. You might want to purchase a white board so that the jobs can be changed according to a rotation, or erased when completed.

Compromise is the key to harmony in the home. You will find that everyone is a lot happier when no one feels overworked and underappreciated!

Great Games for the Youngest Babies

Great Games for the Youngest Babies

March 11th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Even in the earliest months, there are games you can play with your baby to engage, stimulate, and encourage development. While baby isn’t really ready yet for much in the way of toys, she is taking everything in and will soon start responding to your efforts to communicate. Simple games, although they start out one sided, are a great way to motivate those responses.

Remember when you are talking to and playing with your new baby, especially in the first three months, that her eyesight is still developing. She sees best from a distance of about a foot, and is best able to make out high contrast colors, especially black and white. So keep games up close and personal to allow baby to see what’s going on.

Making Faces

Young babies respond best to human faces. There is nothing they would rather look at, so using your face to play games with baby is a great way to get started. Start with the most basic baby game – peek-a-boo. First hide your whole face in your hands, then try hiding just half, covering one eye and then the other, or just your mouth or eyes. Next, drop down out of baby’s sight and then reappear.

Make different faces for baby by changing your expression, sticking out your tongue, and raising your eyebrows. You can combine this game with peek-a-boo by varying the expression on your face every time it reappears. Eventually, you will notice that she starts smiling or trying to imitate your expressions, but for the first few months she is just taking it all in. Don’t be disappointed if there isn’t as much reaction as you had hoped for; your baby is just too young yet to respond, but she is definitely paying attention.

A Little Anatomy Lesson

In the first months of life, your baby is just learning that he even has a body, never mind what to do with it. Discovering body parts like hands and feet are great fun for baby, and games that point out body parts are a great way to help baby locate and learn all about his own body.

A classic game like “This Little Piggy” is a great one for young babies. It’s best done with baby lying on his back, so his feet can be up in the air and within his range of sight. Kneel over him and grab each toe as you play the game. Stick with the traditional tale of the piggy that went to market and the one who stayed home, or make up your own words. Just make sure to include the grand finale, tickling your fingers up baby’s body!

Another simple anatomy game is to lay your baby on the floor and kiss each body part in turn, naming them as you go. Start at the feet and work your way up so you can finish by kissing his soft little cheeks and lips! This is a wonderful post-bath game when you can get at all those little parts before putting clothes on again!

Remember that your baby is learning even when he is very young and doesn’t appear to be involved in what’s going on. His developing mind is working overtime absorbing information and trying to make sense of it. Before long, baby will start playing his part in the games as well, and you will realize he was paying attention all along.

What to Ask when Choosing a Pediatrician

What to Ask when Choosing a Pediatrician

March 10th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Your child’s pediatrician will play an important role in her life from the day she is born. You will want to find someone you like, trust, and can depend on to listen to your concerns and always help you make the right decisions for your child’s health. Most pediatricians are available for prenatal interviews, to help you in your decision prior to baby’s birth. Asking the right questions will make it easier to narrow down the choices.

Where to Start

Choosing doctors to interview out of a phone book is both tedious and overwhelming. Rather than wasting your time, ask for recommendations from family, friends and your obstetrician. You can then shorten this list by checking it against your insurance company’s list to cut out any doctors not covered under your plan. You might also want to strike off the list any doctor who lives too far away from your home.

Questions to Ask About the Office

When you call to make an appointment with the doctor, you can get a few important questions out of the way over the phone. Important general things to know about the office:

  • What are the office hours, and do they offer any evening or weekend appointments?
  • Does the office have separate waiting rooms for well and sick children?
  • How far in advance do they require well-child visits to be made, and how quickly are they generally able to schedule a sick child?
  • Do they offer a 24-hour on call physician?
  • Do they have advice nurses available for questions, and will you also be able to speak to the doctor over the phone should you need to?
  • Do they have plentiful parking, and is it free?

When talking with the staff member who answers to phone you can learn a lot about the practice. If you don’t find them friendly and helpful over the phone, they aren’t likely to be that way in person. Think of this phone call as an additional screening tool.

Questions to Ask the Pediatrician

When you head out to meet with a potential doctor for your baby, it’s a good idea to write down a list of the questions you would like to ask. Think of questions that will help you to determine whether or not you and the doctor are on the same page when it comes to decisions about your child’s health. Here are some questions to consider:

  • What is the doctor’s view on topics like breastfeeding versus formula feeding, alternate vaccination schedules, circumcision and natural or alternative treatments?
  • What type of continuing education do they pursue to keep up on current research and treatments?
  • How long have they been practicing?
  • What hospital(s) are they affiliated with?
  • Do they generally come to the hospital to see the baby at birth or will you come to the office for the initial visit?
  • Will your child always see his own doctor, or will other doctors at the practice be involved in his care as well?

You can learn a lot from this initial visit to a potential pediatrician; not just from the answers to your questions, but from the doctor’s demeanor as well. Is the doctor friendly, responsive, and open to your questions? Did you feel you were heard and taken seriously? The way a doctor responds to you in this initial interview will likely be the same manner they display in visits with your child. If you didn’t feel comfortable, felt rushed or that your questions weren’t important, keep looking.

Finding the right doctor for your child might take some time and effort, but knowing you can trust this person with your child’s health is well worth it.

Fall for Fun: Great Autumn Activities!

Fall for Fun: Great Autumn Activities!

March 9th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Fall is a great season for family fun; the temperatures may be cooling off, but the great outdoors still has a lot to offer before winter sends us in to hide!

Gathering Fall Treasures

The cooler weather is great for getting out there and doing some hiking and exploring. Walk a nature path and examine the changes that the fall season is bringing. Gather fallen leaves and make a game of finding leaves from as many different trees as possible. Don’t lose them! You can bring them home for some fun autumn crafts. It’s also a great time to gather pine cones, also perfect for crafts.

Fall is pumpkin season, so find a pumpkin patch to explore! Let your kids choose their own pumpkin to turn into a jack-o-lantern. Look for a pumpkin patch that offers lots of fun family activities. Some have hayrides, farm animals for petting, corn mazes and more. It’s a perfect way to spend a fall day.

Pumpkins aren’t the only produce to go in search of in the fall. If you live in the right part of the country, you can go apple picking as well. Find a local orchard and pick your own apples. Take them home to bake an apple pie, dip them in caramel for a real fall treat, or just enjoy them as they are, fresh and delicious.

Fabulous Fall Crafts

Those treasures you gathered on your walk in the woods can be put to good use in some fun fall crafts. Leaves can be glued into a scrapbook, or used to make a colorful centerpiece for your table. Fill a clear vase with leaves to display them beautifully as a fall alternative to flowers.

Turn your pine cones into little animals; pull pipe cleaners through at the top and bottom, and twist them underneath to make two sets of legs. Then glue on craft eyes, and add various finishing touches to make different types of animals. A pig might have a curly pipe cleaner tail and perky felt ears. Add wings for a bird, or a cotton ball tail for a rabbit. The possibilities are endless.

Your kids will have fun making their very own scarecrow to watch over the yard. Bring it down to kid size by using outgrown baby clothes or old doll clothes. Put sticks through the arms and legs of the clothes, and stuff with leaves. A larger piece of wood will form a backbone to help your little scarecrow stand. Top it off with a miniature pumpkin for a head, and draw on a face with markers.

Get in the Game

Autumn is football season, and kids will really enjoy the fun of attending a game. Skip the expensive tickets for the pro teams and go support your local high school team instead. The smaller venue will give you a better view of the game, and the community camaraderie will warm the atmosphere even on a cool fall evening. Snacks and hot chocolate in a thermos complete a fun family night out.

You don’t have to be spectators all the time! Spend a fall afternoon in the back yard or at the park playing a friendly game as a family. Keep it safe for young kids by skipping the tackles and playing touch football instead. You’ll get some exercise and have a lot of fun at the same time.

Fall offers endless opportunities for fun with your children. Enjoy the outdoors before it gets too cold, and share the beauty and wonder of the changing natural world.

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