Tag: fun

Daily Happenings, Family, Hickory Things To Do

Fun Fall Festivities

Lora Knows...

The weather isn’t screaming Fall here in the Piedmont of North Carolina. We have had unseasonably warm days in the 70s and 80s. I’m hopeful for some cooler days in the near future that will peak in the low 50s, aka sweater weather.

Even though it’s warm outside there are fun fall activities to be done and enjoyed with family and friends. Here are some I think would be great – share what you like to do in the comments below.

Take a Hayride

As part of the pumpkin-picking experience, many farms offer hayrides that take you to their respective pumpkin patches. Many also have their own corn maze, which makes for great fun during your visit.

Visit an Apple Orchard

Many apple farms provide not only apple picking but also a variety of other activities. Some also have markets that sell jams, cider donuts, and other homemade baked goods. To finish off your day of fun, set aside some apples from your adventure and make caramel apples when you get home.

Hike or Bike with a Picnic

Autumn weather is ideal for outdoor activities, so connect with nature by hiking or biking through a park—ideally where foliage is in full bloom. Pack a picnic lunch, and just enjoy the beauty around you.

Stargazing

Bundle up with your favorite sweater and blanket, head to an open space to take in the beauty of the stars, and enjoy the peace and quiet that surrounds you. Take a bottle of wine and some charcuterie and make it a date night.

Scenic Drive

Hop in the car and take a ride to behold the wonders of the fall foliage. Turn on your favorite playlist, put the windows down to breathe in the fresh, cool air, and enjoy the view.

Outdoor Games

Gather your friends for a variety of games that everyone can enjoy: a relay race, cornhole, Frisbee, a scavenger hunt, or flag football. You could even organize a pumpkin-carving contest. Top off the night with an outing to your local ice-cream store.

Game Night

A game night is an excellent way to spend quality time. Cozy up with cups of hot cider or hot chocolate, play card games, board games, or charades, or extend the definition of “game” by starting a puzzle that everyone can then work on each day thereafter.

Deliver Treats

Make some pumpkin muffins or candy apples, and deliver them to your local police officers, firefighters, nurses, doctors, teachers or whoever to thank them.

Donate Time

If you’re looking for ways to give back to your community, volunteer at an animal shelter, a local food bank, soup kitchen, or any other local charity. It’s a meaningful way to spend a fall afternoon.

Entertainment, Holidays

Cute Halloween Treat Bags

Lora Knows...

OK, it’s official – I’m going a bit overboard with the Halloween theme – and am going to do individual treat bags. This isn’t the first year we’ve done bags, but those weren’t nearly as cute as these. I brought the idea to Dean and showed him how sweet they are, get it “sweet” – so I’m over doing puns too haha. He thinks they’re great, so this year instead of doing regular bags or tossing the candy into a bowl, everyone will get a broom bag filled with goodies.

Here is all you need to do to transform little brown lunch bags into magical witch’s brooms.

You will need the following materials for each bag you create:

  • Brown lunch bags – it takes 2 bags to make 1 treat bag
  • Broomstick – use a halloween pencil, tree stick, or festive item
  • Scissors
  • Twine – I’m using Halloween ribbon
  • Tags – Printable tags, however I ordered Halloween tags from Amazon
  • Hole punch, if needed
  • Treats and Favors to fill the bag

Directions:

Step 1. Take the first bag and cut thin vertical strips that end 1″ from the bottom. On the second bag cut vertical strips that are 4″ long from the top.

Step 2. Place bag 2 with the shorter strips inside the bag 1 with the longer strips.

Step 3. Fill the inside bag with the treats and favors and place the stick inside the bag, in the middle of the treats and favors.

Step 4. Using the hole punch, punch a hole at the top of the label. Thread the ribbon through the hole. Set aside.

Step 5. Gather up with long strips of the outer bag and leave about 3″ inches at the top and secure them with the ribbon by tying it around the bag and making a bow. Be sure to leave about 3 inches at the top.