As we dive into autumn, the cooler temperatures and earlier sunsets mean the routine welcome of fuzzy sweaters, cozy movie nights, and hot apple cider. For most of October, though, this cooler weather is paired with gorgeous sunny days, where the air is crisp and clean. Thankfully, if you're like me and not quite ready to lock yourself inside all weekend, there are still plenty of things you can do outdoors unique to these fall months.

Perhaps the most apparent autumnal activity is heading to a local farm for an afternoon of apple picking and an evening of pumpkin carving! Depending on where you live, this may require an extra jacket or pair of rain boots, but it is an opportunity to enjoy the fresh air nonetheless! We love making homemade apple cider this time of year, so be sure to get extra apples if you want to experiment with creating your own cider recipe!

A nature walk is a great way to see the world in all of its fall color glory! If you have little ones, find some leaves and help them identify the trees they came from. If you need some autumnal décor, gather small twigs, colorful leaves, pinecones, and acorns for DIY crafts! Log onto Pinterest or scour the web for instructions on making wreaths or even homemade bird feeders! Especially as it gets close to winter, our feathered friends will be thrilled to find extra food!

Of course, gardening is an excellent way to spend time outdoors, but the fall season gardening tasks are more mundane than spring garden chores. Regardless, if you want to ensure you're ready for next planting season, spend a little bit of your autumn weekends cleaning up the yard. Clear your beds of any annual greenery and ensure any produce still hanging on is removed before your first frost. Be sure to trim large flowering perennials like rose bushes so that they can provide plenty of blossoms next year! Speaking of next year, now is a great time to plant your tulip bulbs! Check with your local garden or hardware store for what to plant this fall.

Check out this article on landscaping tips for fall.

Before we know it, the last colorful leaf will have hit the ground, and winter will be upon us. So be sure to get outdoors and embrace this autumnal weather while you can!