Fall Hikes with Your Family

Fall Hikes with Your Family. Ah, September! The softest of all months…not too hot and not too cold. Life is (hopefully) back to a routine with kids in school, homework, and weekend activities. Why not plan some fall hikes with your family?

Of course, Michigan has some of the most brilliant fall foliage in the country, but have you really gone out there to explore our beautiful state this time of year? So, plan a weekend of fall hikes with your family with leaf-peeping and some bird watching? After spending the better part of the summer cooped up, it’s time to get some fresh air! The hikes can be as educational as they are fun, and everyone can learn about the great state of Michigan.

When is the Best Time?

The best time for full-color is from mid-September to the end of October, so if you miss a weekend because of weather or other obligations, no worries. Going somewhere right in the middle of that time frame should be the most vibrant.

Need some ideas to choose from? Michigan is such a diverse state that surely everyone in the family will be satisfied. Apples and fishing and hikes, oh my!

For some family fun, how about something like a Scavenger Hunt? Or Bird Bingo? You have time to plan it. For a scavenger hunt, try collecting leaves from native trees on your hike! With the whole family involved, you’ll have a beautiful collection for crafting some fall-season home decorations. You can learn about individual trees from the Arbor Day Foundation so you can identify the leaves! First, one to collect a leaf from each tree wins a prize!

Your fall hike with your family wouldn’t be complete without the birdsong in the background! Be sure to pack the binoculars and watch for these sweet creatures out on your hikes! Make a Bird Bingo card and see how many you can find!

Where Should We Go?

How do you want to spend the weekend? Or do you want to go for day hikes with your family? Near and far, opportunities abound to see the colors, from neighborhood walking paths to state parks. If there is somewhere you’ve always wanted to visit, maybe now would be a good time to go! Winter will be here soon and there’s no time like the present, right?

Put together a fabulous picnic with foods your family loves and be sure to visit some roadside or Farmer’s Markets along the way to add to it. Some fresh-pressed apple cider and local cheese would be a great way to expand your family’s food repertoire! Yum! Maybe you’ll find a new secret getaway or fishing spot. Make notes so you know where to go back!

The silver lining that Covid has brought to us is the value of family and how precious and short our time is with them. Now that things are resuming a more familiar pattern, make sure to include more quality family time.