10 reasons why autumn is great with kids

Katja Fischer

30/9/2022

Translation: Eva Francis

While we’re mourning summer and longing for Christmas, it’s easy to forget what a great season autumn is for families. Here’s my 10-step-declaration of love to autumn.

Summer’s everybody’s darling. What’s sweeter than sunny days at the water and warm BBQ evenings? Spring, when flowers grow and blossom, is the time when we look forward to all these things. And winter is great anyway – thanks to Christmas and snow. What about autumn? Successor to everybody’s favourite and predecessor to the cosy Advent season, it could easily degenerate into an ungrateful stopgap.

That would be unfair. In my opinion, autumn is the secret star among the seasons – especially with kids. Why? Here are ten reasons.

1. No more sunscreen

I’m one of those moms who’s already waving the sunscreen in her hand when the sun rises. Even though there’s nothing more annoying than rubbing suncreen onto impatient kids day in and day out for months, it’s a must in my opinion. In autumn, I my kids’ skin pores get a breather, as sunscreen‘s only a part-time companion during this season. The result? More time to get readyin the morning. If you have kids, you know every extra minute is valuable.

2. Lounging around without bad conscience

A day without going out into the fresh air? Bad parenting! As soon as the sun pushes through the clouds, the guilty conscience pushes you to go outside. In autumn, the stormy days are finally back – days when it doesn’t stop raining from morning to evening. What else is there to do than lounge around on the sofa in your pijamas and watch movies? No need to feel bad. If you need movie tips for rainy weather, check out this article I wrote last year:

3. Off to the cinema

If your kids get bored of watching movies at home, why not take them to the real cinema? There’s a good reason why many movies hit the screens in autumn. This year, the following new releases might spark their interest:

• «School of Magical Animals – Part 2»: The second film in the popular series of children’s books about the Winterstein School.
• «My Fairy Troublemaker»: 337-year-old fairy Violetta is terrible at magic. Then she steals a gemstone and ends up in the human world.
• «Die Mucklas – und wie sie zu Pettersson und Findus kamen»: The little mucklas need chaos and disorder to survive, so they have to find a new home. German movie of the popular children’s books «Pettson and Findus».

4. Tabletop games

The alternative to movies? Board and card games. They’ve definitely come up short in recent months – except during the summer holidays. Looking for new games? Fellow editor and expert Ramon recently recommended board and card games for autumn. I also just tested the newly awarded children’s game of the year, «Zauberberg», with my daughter. Our conclusion? We loved it. A detailed review will follow.

5. Outdoor fondue and raclette

I love our cheesy national dishes – but can’t stand the smell that lingers in your home for two days after you’ve enjoyed fondue or raclette. The simple solution to this dilemma is eating outside. In winter, it’s too cold for that. Autumn is the perfect season. Speaking of outdoor dinners and national dishes, with the outdoor fire ban lifted, you’re free to check out your favourite fireplace and cook a saussage over an open fire.

6. Best timing for family snapshots

If you’re going outside (in decent weather) with the kids, be sure to take a camera with you. You probably have more than enough beach and snow photos already. Autumn is the perfect picture time, as the colourful trees and leaves are great props and the golden light creates the most idyllic moods.

7. Fall into a bed of leaves

One of the great things about kids is that they notice and appreciate the little things – and allow you to do childish things that you would be embarrassed to do without them. Letting yourself fall into the bed of leaves with your arms open is one of them. You’ve never done that? Then it’s about time!

8. Jump into a puddle

More kid’s stuff that’s incredibly liberating: put on your wellies and jump into a muddy puddle, as Peppa-Pig likes to say.

9. Relaxed pumpkin carving

I hate any kind of arts and crafts. That’s why you won’t find any chestnut figures or leaf decoration ideas in this list. That said, even I can’t get around pumpkin carving. That’s fine, as I’ve found out how to turn it into a relaxed activity with my daughters instead of stressful and hard work. In fact, I’m really looking forward to the orange grimaces that will soon be decorating our house entrance again. How was I converted? Check out the following article to find out.

10. Time for big dreams

«Mommy, can I have that?» This is probably the most frequently asked question these weeks. And my answer is always the same: «You can put it on your wish list for Christmas.» This makes my daughters come up with even more ideas, making their wish lists grow longer and longer. Yes, children’s wish lists are long. And often expensive. But above all, they’re wonderful. And autumn is the time of dreams and wishes.

Katja Fischer

Senior Editor

Katja.Fischer@digitecgalaxus.ch

Mom of Anna and Elsa, aperitif expert, group fitness fanatic, aspiring dancer and gossip lover. Often a multitasker and a person who wants it all, sometimes a chocolate chef and queen of the couch.

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