Multiple surveys show that fall is America’s favorite season, and the same is true for the majority of Portland area residents. What’s not to love about the crisper weather, gorgeous golden lighting, leaf color changes, and the abundance of family-friendly things to see and do?
Make Plans to Take Your Kids to These Portland Area Fall Favorites
Just as this season is known for its abundant harvests, we also have an abundance of things to do with your family. And, as well all know, family outings are a fun way to get the whole family outside, moving their bodies, and making memories that create lasting bonds.
We’ve divided our recommendations into four categories:
- Farmer’s Markets
- Pumpkin Patches
- Fall Festivals
- Haunted Happenings
Review them with your family and then start making some exciting, family-friendly fall plans.
1. Fall farmer’s markets are the best
Fall is one of the most plentiful seasons for our area’s farmers’ markets. During this early fall season, you can celebrate the best of what’s still being harvested from summer crops, as well as all your fall favorites, such as squashes, persimmons, and apples.
Taking your kids to local farmers’ markets is one of PANW’s favorite “prescriptions” because they can learn so much about where their food comes from. Plus, they seem to be more willing to eat veggies and fruits that they help pick out from the market.
Extra Credit Tips:
- Ride your bikes. Is there a farmer’s market in your neighborhood? If so, consider riding your bikes for some extra exercise (and screen-free time!).
- Use cash. Give elementary and older kids cash so they can practice interactions with vendors, using real-life math, and practicing social skills with people outside of their everyday household/school circles.
- Let them help with menu planning. Once you’ve purchased some seasonal veggies and fruits, let your kids help you menu plan or pack their snack packs and lunch boxes.
2. Pick your own pumpkin from a local pumpkin patch
Sure, it’s way easier to buy one from the grocery store when you’re there. And, we get it, the fall calendar can quickly fill up! However, if you have time, it can be fun for kids (and parents) to pick their own pumpkins at one of the area’s many pumpkin patches.
Visit PDXParent.com for a list of some of the Portland area’s most well-known pumpkin patches and choose the one that’s closest to you OR choose one that allows for a fun family road trip.
Extra Credit Tips:
- Screen-free car time. Consider making one leg of the trip (or both) a screen-free drive to encourage conversation, singing, games, or daydreaming. Some of our patient families adopt a “screen-free rule” in their cars, and you’d be amazed at how that practice opens the door for conversations and sharing that may not have happened otherwise.
- Create a scavenger hunt. Come up with a list ahead of time and check them off as you walk around the pumpkin patch. Hunt for things like biggest/funkiest-looking pumpkin, a scarecrow, hay bales, a wagon, etc.
- Beware the corn maze. Corn mazes are all the rage, but they can also be very intimidating or scary if kids can’t find their way out. Consider following close behind your younger children (or first-timers) to ensure they’re okay. Once they’ve found their way out safely, they’ll feel more confident the next time.
3. Attend a fall festival
Fall festivals (often called harvest festivals) are a way to combine a range of fall treats, including farmer’s markets or vendor booths, live music, outdoor time, as well as cultural and nature-themed events.
Some of the PANW staff’s favorites include:
- Portland Greek Festival.
- Chapman Swift Watch. **This one deserves a special mention because for 30 years it was one of the largest observable swift roosting events in the nation. However, the swifts broke their tradition last year. Now, you can take walks in the Chapman Elementary School or surrounding neighborhoods to see if you can find swifts roosting in their new locations.
- Hood River Valley Harvest Fest.
- Portland Book Festival.
- Oregon Zoo Squishing of the Squash.
- West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta.
4. Spooky or Haunted Happenings
We understand that age and personality types might dictate how much spookiness one person can handle. If you have little ones or kids who aren’t so keen on scary stuff, then take advantage of the Oregon Zoo’s annual Howloween. Kids get to dress up, but they make their way through the Zoo where they can trick-or-treat and learn about the amazing animals there.
Other fun things to do for families who enjoy the spookier side of things include:
- Halloweentown. Head out to Halloweentown in nearby St. Helen’s, the site where the Disney Movie by the same name was filmed (and the location where they shot many of the Twilight movie scenes). There are things for all ages here, but parents/caregivers may need to divide and conquer when it comes to kids who want to go into scarier haunted houses and those who don’t.
- Portland Ghost Tours. We appreciate these 7 Fabulous Portland-Area Ghost Tours, vetted by a PDX mom, who highlights seven of her (and her daughter’s) favorite ghost tours in the area. She also has excellent advice for how to determine whether a tour is appropriate for your child (note that some tours have age-minimum requirements).
- Haunted Houses. You may also want to learn more about some of the area’s haunted houses and historic manors and sign up for one of their tours.
Extra Credit Note: It’s best to ease into spooky family fun as some kids may act far braver than they are, and their true feelings will come out via nightmares or new fears/anxieties. Test things out by having “not too spooky” movie nights, exploring shows like The Nightmare Before Christmas, Coco, or The Adam’s Family. They can be good indicators of whether your child is ready for the next level of spook. Be prepared to head home if needed, and you can always try again next year.
PANW Wishes Your Family a Fun & Abundant Fall Season
The team at Pediatric Associates of the Northwest wishes you and your family a safe, fun, and healthy fall season. We hope that our recommendations offer some new ideas or adventures. Remember to tell us about them at your next wellness appointment!
