PRACTICAL PARENTING ◽ HOME
Fall Branches
by Marcy Lytle
I was meeting my kids at my parents’ house, where they’ve been working towards opening it as an Airbnb, and we were walking along the side to the back…when the two littles found two big fallen branches and picked them up. They dragged them along the ground, and that made me think of the simple fun to be had with the kiddos this fall, with branches! Or any other things just found in nature…
Fall branches can be used to “sweep” leaves. Just let the kids grab one and use it like a broom to sweep.
Fall branches can be gathered to put together to make a small fort or tepee. The most fun, as the kids work together!
Fall branches can be piled into a bin and taken to use to build a fire for making s’mores, or as kindling in an outdoor fireplace.
Fall branches can be spray-painted and used as art.
Fall branches can be dipped into tins of paint and then used like a paintbrush on a big sheet or huge butcher paper, attached to an outdoor line with clothespins.
Fall branches can be gathered and placed in a vase along with fall flowers, for a pretty table decoration.
Fall branches can be gathered and kids can sit with the family, as stories are told and made up about fall branches – giving them names and inserting them into the story!
Fall branches can be broken into shorter sticks and glued onto paper or together to build or create.
Fall branches can be inserted in a large container and then kids can make fall leaves out of construction paper and glue on, or any other craft items, to make a fall “tree” for the center of your dining table. Even add ribbons!
Fall branches can be leaned up against a tree trunk in a circle around the tree, and stuffies can be taken outside to play and create a story.
What would your kids do with fall branches? Kids love to get outside and while it’s October and the leaves are falling, and branches are plentiful, it’s great to let the imagination and fun fly as the family gathers, builds, creates and enjoys the brooms that nature drops…right in our backyard.