Fun Ways to Welcome the New Season with Your Family this Autumn Equinox

The autumn equinox marks a special time of year when day and night are perfectly balanced, ushering in the start of the new season. Around 23rd September each year, the autumn equinox signals the shift from the warmth of summer to the cool, crisp days of autumn. It’s a wonderful opportunity to slow down, reflect on the changing seasons, and engage in family-friendly activities that celebrate the beauty of autumn.

As the leaves start to turn golden and the air becomes crisp, the equinox offers a perfect moment to spend quality time with your loved ones, connecting with nature and embracing all that autumn has to offer. If you’re looking for creative ways to celebrate the autumn equinox with your family, here are some fun and meaningful activities to mark the occasion.

1. Go on a Nature Walk to Observe the Changing Season

One of the simplest yet most rewarding ways to celebrate the autumn equinox is by taking your family on a nature walk. This time of year is ideal for observing how nature begins to change – leaves turning from green to gold, animals preparing for winter, and cooler breezes rustling through the trees.

Encourage your children to look out for signs of autumn as you walk: acorns and conkers falling to the ground, squirrels gathering food, and birds migrating. This is a great opportunity to discuss the equinox and explain how the Earth’s tilt causes the change in seasons.

You could also collect natural treasures like colourful leaves, pinecones, and acorns to bring home for crafting. Nature walks provide a chance for quiet reflection, as well as family bonding, while enjoying the beauty of the outdoors.

2. Create a Seasonal Nature Table

After your nature walk, use the treasures you collected to create a seasonal nature table at home. A nature table is a simple but effective way to mark the changing seasons and bring the outdoors inside. It’s a fun and creative activity that encourages children to appreciate nature’s beauty and the passage of time.

Find a space in your home, whether it’s a small table or a windowsill, and arrange your autumn finds – leaves, pinecones, conkers, and even small branches. You can add candles, mini pumpkins, or gourds to make the display feel even more autumnal. The nature table can evolve as the season progresses, with new finds being added each time you go for a walk.

This simple activity is a wonderful way for your family to stay connected with nature and the changing seasons throughout autumn.

3. Bake Seasonal Treats Together

Autumn brings a bounty of seasonal produce, and the equinox is the perfect time to celebrate this abundance by baking some delicious autumn-inspired treats. Involving your children in the kitchen can be a fun and educational activity, giving them the chance to learn about seasonal ingredients like apples, pears, pumpkins, and spices.

Some family-friendly baking ideas include:

• Apple crumble: A classic British autumn dessert that’s easy to make and perfect for using up freshly picked apples.
• Pumpkin muffins: Light, fluffy, and spiced with cinnamon, these muffins are a great way to embrace the flavours of autumn.
• Vegan gingerbread biscuits: Fun to make and even more fun to decorate, these biscuits add a warm, spiced flavour to your autumn celebrations.

Baking together also provides an opportunity to talk about the symbolism of the autumn equinox, which traditionally celebrates the harvest and the abundance of nature. After all the hard work in the kitchen, sit down together to enjoy the results with a warm cup of tea or hot chocolate.

4. Craft Autumn Decorations

Crafting is a fantastic way to get into the autumn spirit and decorate your home for the new season. Using natural materials from your nature walk, such as leaves, pinecones, and acorns, you and your children can create beautiful, rustic decorations to welcome the season.

Some easy autumn crafts include:

• Leaf garlands: Use twine or string to thread together colourful autumn leaves and hang them around the house or over a mantelpiece.
• Pinecone animals: Turn pinecones into cute woodland creatures like owls, hedgehogs, or squirrels by adding felt or googly eyes.
• Acorn wreaths: Collect acorns and arrange them into a wreath shape, securing them with glue, to hang on your front door.

Crafting together not only brings the family closer but also creates lasting memories as you work together to decorate your home for autumn.

5. Host an Autumn Equinox Family Dinner

Another wonderful way to mark the equinox is by hosting a cosy autumn dinner for your family. You can create a menu inspired by seasonal produce, such as roasted root vegetables, hearty soups, and warming stews. Vegan-friendly options like butternut squash soup, vegetable casseroles, and spiced apple desserts make for a comforting and wholesome meal.

Decorate the table with autumnal touches, such as mini pumpkins, candles, and your nature finds. After dinner, you can reflect on the day and discuss what you’re grateful for as a family. The autumn equinox is traditionally a time of gratitude and balance, so this can be a meaningful way to connect with the spirit of the season.

6. Light Candles to Welcome the Balance of Light and Dark

The autumn equinox is all about balance – it’s the moment when day and night are equal in length. Lighting candles is a symbolic way to celebrate this balance of light and dark. Gather your family in the evening, dim the lights, and light candles to create a warm and peaceful atmosphere.

You can take this opportunity to talk about the significance of the equinox and how, as the nights grow longer, it’s important to take time for reflection and gratitude. If you want to get creative, you can even make your own autumn-scented candles using soy wax and essential oils like cinnamon or clove.

7. Plan an Autumn Garden Project

Autumn is a great time to start thinking about your garden’s future. You can get your family involved in planting bulbs, such as daffodils or tulips, which will bloom in the spring. This activity teaches children about the cycle of nature and the patience it takes to watch plants grow over time.

You can also collect fallen leaves for composting or make a leaf pile for the children to jump in – a simple but fun way to enjoy the garden during the autumn equinox.

Conclusion

The autumn equinox is a wonderful time to embrace the changing season and celebrate the beauty of nature with your family. Whether you’re going on a nature walk, crafting autumn decorations, or baking seasonal treats, these activities offer meaningful ways to connect with the natural world and each other. As autumn begins, take the opportunity to slow down, appreciate the balance of light and dark, and enjoy all the joys that the season brings.