It’s that time of year again: back to school! It’s an exciting, yet stressful (and expensive!) time, so why not have a little fun? Now’s when you should be taking advantage of late-summer warm weather, beautiful Fall foliage and tasty autumn produce. Here are 10 ideas to help your whole family have a ton of fun this Fall without breaking the bank:
1. Extend summer. Going back to school can be tough for any kid – so why not reduce the abrupt ending to the season and savor these last few weeks of warm weather? Rather than plopping down in front of the television at the end of the day, enjoy a mid-week campfire, s’mores for dessert and long walks in the evening. On the weekend, bundle up and have brunch al fresco with the whole family, or pack a picnic and head to a park for the afternoon.
2. School supply exchange. Every year, you buy new school supplies, and every year it costs a fortune.
Chances are, however, that you’ve ended up with leftovers of some supplies (did your little one really need 12 pencils?). A couple of weeks into the beginning of school, get together with a few other parents and bring along any extra school supplies that you may have purchased. Make note of anything you’re short on and then trade some of your extras for anything you’re missing that the other parents have excess of, saving you both money and extra trips to the store.
3. Stock up for the winter. The annual Harvest Sale at Heritage Park takes place on Saturday, September 7 and Sunday, September 8. For two days, you can buy a ton of fresh fruits and vegetables in bulk, and then spend the rest of your visit enjoying the rides, food and scenery at the park. Be sure to bring along a wagon or dolly for all of your goods; you’ll end up bringing home more than you plan on! Access to the sale is included in the cost of admission (or, if you have a seasons pass, it’s free!), and funds go to local charities. For more information, head to www.heritagepark.ca.
4. Make the most of summer sales. If you feel like you buy your child a whole new wardrobe every Fall, you’re not alone. Right now, there are some great summer sales on, and it’s the perfect time to stock up on basics like jeans, T-shirts and light coats. These are items that can be worn at any time of year, so it really doesn’t matter that they’re from summer stock. Also, pick up summer skirts and tights, long-sleeved tees and hoodies - these can be worn all through the Fall.
5. Early autumn hiking. Early autumn hikes are often the loveliest. It’s rarely too hot or too cold, the Fall foliage is gorgeous and - perhaps most important of all - hiking is the perfect way for your little ones to expend some pent-up back-to-school energy. The Karst Springs hiking trail is an ideal spot for families, as it takes about a half-day but isn’t too difficult. Just be sure to be prepared and bring plenty of snacks, water, sunscreen and layers. The trailhead is located at the Mount Shark parking lot, 5 kilometres off of Highway 742/Smith-Dorrien/Spray Trail. For more information and detailed directions, visit www.hikealberta.com and search ‘Karst Spring’.
6. Celebrate the pumpkin. It’s time for the annual Pumpkin Festival at Blue Grass Nursery! This year’s event takes place on October 12 from 11am to 3pm, and it promises to be a good one. Head to the nursery located just north of the city in Balzac and enjoy a day full of unusual gourds, giant pumpkins, a straw maze, hayrides, face painting, a petting zoo and so much more. For more details, visit www.bluegrassnursery.com.
7. Head down to Millarville. Have a Saturday morning free? Pack the family up in the car, bring along a couple tote bags or baskets and head down to the Millarville Market. There you’ll find all sorts of fresh, in-season produce, live music, crafts, art and more. Even if you want to save some cash and don’t buy anything, the beautiful drive down south and the experience there is worth it. The market runs on Saturdays from 9am to 2pm until Thanksgiving.
For more information, visit www.millarvilleracetrack.com.
8. Fall centrepiece. Don’t bother with a pricey centrepiece for your Thanksgiving dinner table; instead, enlist the creativity of your children! Have your kids find a variety of twigs, leaves and pinecones, and then paint them with Fall colors. Opt for metallic or pearl hues, or sprinkle with glitter when the paint is wet for an extra radiant appearance. Place the painted finds in a vase or basket and - voila! - you’ve got yourself a gorgeous, homemade centrepiece.
9. Thanksgiving tablecloth. Ditch the fancy fabric tablecloth and instead, grab a long sheet of craft paper and measure it out so it’s about two feet longer than your table (for overhang). Next, trace the place settings with pencil, and then place the paper on the ground alongside a variety of paints and brushes. Get your children to paint on the paper, write out names above each place setting (who needs place cards when you have hand-painted names?), and create a one of a kind Thanksgiving tablecloth.
10. Host a homemade Halloween party. Halloween is pricey. Between the costumes, the decorations and the candy, it can cost a small fortune. The weekend before the big day, host a party with a few other parents and their children. Have everyone bring some costume-making supplies from home, and help one another make costumes for the kids. It will get everyone in the spirit of Halloween, and save a few bucks in the meantime.
Stephanie is a freelance writer specializing in travel and food writing. For more information, visit
www.stephaniearsenault.ca.
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