The Pope has left town, leaves are falling, and the air in Philadelphia is cool and crisp. Fall in Philly is one of the best times of the year to get out of the house and have fun with your family. If you’re looking for ways to celebrate the season, here are five fun kids activities to keep you busy until the holidays.

Fall Festivals

Many Philadelphia neighborhoods and suburban towns host fall festivals filled with kid-friendly activities. One perennial favorite is the Peddlers’ Village Scarecrow Display, located in Lahaska, Bucks County. From September through the end of October, view scarecrows created to represent a variety of themes including sci-fi, favorite characters, or traditional. Kids can enjoy the fresh autumn air as they spot superheroes, video game stars, and other familiar faces depicted in straw.

Another great autumn festival in Philadelphia is the Chestnut Hill Harry Potter Festival, celebrated in mid-October. Stroll along Germantown Avenue, where shops and restaurants are decorated to recreate the setting of J.K. Rowling’s blockbuster series. Wrap up the day at Chestnut Hill College, where you can watch a Quidditch tournament.

Hay Rides

Visit one of many farms in the Philadelphia area to jump on the back of a giant tractor-pulled wagon for a fun hayride. In addition to hayrides, the Harvest Day activities at Merrymead Farm include a face painting, a cornfield maze, and other fall-themed games. For older kids, haunted hayrides serve up just the right amount of fright and fun. If you’re looking for a spooky attraction, Shady Brook Farm in Bucks County hosts a Hay Ride of Horror.

Pumpkin Decorating

Pumpkin carving and decorating is a fun but sometimes messy activity. This fall, crafty opportunities abound and parents don’t need to worry about black paint or pumpkin seeds landing on the furniture. Stop by the Franklin Square Pumpkin Patch in late October for picking and decorating. Pumpkin carving will also be featured at Bartram Garden’s Agatston Urban Nutrition Initiative’s (AUNI) Annual Harvest Festival.

Apple Picking

Picking apples is another fun way to get your kids outside to enjoy the fall weather. This activity can be done with little advanced planning or scheduling. If you find yourself in need of an activity on short notice, just check Styer Orchard‘s website for daily hours and apple varieties available to pick. Linvilla Orchards in Media, Pennsylvania, also lists the current crop available.

Inside Fun

If the fall weather isn’t cooperating, spend some time participating in one of the many fun kids activities at the indoor venues around town. The Franklin Institute’s popular sports science area, the SportsZone, is currently being renovated and will reopen in late October. Race against virtual athletes, find out how helmets are tested, and measure the height of your jump shot all in one new exhibit.

Rather than stick with your standard fall line up of activities, why not try something new and different this year? With so many fun festivals and events to choose from, you can have a great time exploring the Philadelphia area and all it has to offer.

Image Source: FreeImages.com/Julia Freeman-Woolpert

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