Decorating your home is sure to get your family in the spirit of the season. Simple crafts are wonderful for keeping the younger kids occupied and learning as well. You can likely make some fall décor from items you have on hand or a quick trip to the dollar store will provide necessary supplies. In fact, the best way to bring some fall décor into your home may be to do a little foraging outside!

There are dozens of variations of fall wreaths you could make, fall-themed table centerpieces to add some fall flavor to the family gathering space, or simply have your kids decorate a piece of construction paper with fall-themed drawings, providing fun extras like cotton balls for clouds, glitter for fall leaf colors, or pipe cleaners to shape into pumpkins or other fall things.

Other fall craft/décor ideas are making corn husk dolls, making leaf drawings, pressing leaves or flowers, or making a thankfulness turkey from paper plates, construction paper, and other supplies.

9. Have a Bonfire and S’mores

Who doesn’t love the smell of a bonfire on a cool fall evening? You can even recruit the older kids to help start the fire (with proper supervision, of course). If you live in the country, this may be easier, but most towns and cities allow small, recreational fires as well. Once you have the fire going, bring out the graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows. Having the family gathered around the fire is a great place to catch up, tell stories, or simply enjoy being together.

10. Write Thankfulness Notes to Your Neighbors

As the holidays approach, we tend to focus more on thankfulness. A simple, but meaningful way to teach your kids about thankfulness and kindness is to write personalized notes to your neighbors and leave them in their mailboxes. These are sure to be even more meaningful if they are decorated with love by your kids, and this simple gesture could spark a deeper connection between your family and your neighbors.

Did any of these activities sound like something your family will undertake this fall? We hope they inspire you to greater appreciation of God’s creation, deeper connection with your family and those around you, and more laughter and joy this fall season.