Fun Friday: Go Leaf Gathering

Fun Friday activities are quick-and-simple ways to explore nature in your own backyard.

THE IDEA: Go leaf gathering in your backyard or beyond.

Let’s face it: Los Angeles isn’t really known for its great fall colors. So when I spotted this bounty of beautiful red, yellow and brown leaves from a sweetgum tree on a street in our neighborhood, I knew it would be the perfect spot to delight in a romp through the leaves. It was our way of  welcoming in fall.

OUR NOTES FROM THE FIELD
The big explorer was so excited to see so many leaves on such brilliant display that he immediately ran around gathering up as many as he could.

Then he headed off down the block to see just how far the line of leaves went.

After scooping up leaves up by the handful, we sat down together and took a closer look at some of our favorites.

We talked about all the colors we’d found – reds, yellows, browns and combinations of all three. We marveled at nature’s handiwork, the designs unique to each leaf.

Then the big explorer was off to run in piles of leaves to his heart’s content. He giggled to himself about how silly and fun it all was.

When we’d filled our basket with our favorite leaves, we headed home. Together we created a “bouquet” to remind us of our adventure. My kinda way to bring a bit of the outdoors in.

TAKE-HOME TIPS
Gathering leaves is a simple way to celebrate the changing season. For best results:

• Let the kids play. The big explorer wanted to run in and jump on all the gorgeous leaves we discovered. I sat down under a tree and enjoyed the show.

• Put your treasures on display. I created a “leaf bouquet” in a glass jar filled with leaves and have another basket full of our beautiful finds sitting on our dining table.

MORE IDEAS FOR OUTDOOR FUN
I’m antsy to start enjoying some festive fall fun – like taking a trip to the pumpkin patch and going apple picking. But there’s also plenty of nature fun to be had right outside the back door. Here are a few ideas to help spark your interest:

• Go spider hunting – maybe even preserve a web 
• Explore mushrooms and discover good and bad fungi
• Make a kite, then fly it!
• Float a nature-made boat (think leaves & walnuts or bark)
• Or try one of these 50 ways to explore nature in your own backyard

How will you be enjoying nature this weekend?