Fall time is quickly approaching and for many of us, it is our favorite season. Growing up, my dad’s favorite season was fall and it quickly made my sisters and I excited about fall too.
The beautiful leaves falling, the cooler weather, and the approaching holidays all give us a glimpse of the beauty of Christ in the changing of the seasons.
Since fall is such a beautiful season, many of us want to get out and enjoy this season. Here are five cost-effective fall activities you can try this year.
1. Apple Picking
One cost-effective fall activity is apple picking. Maybe a friend owns an apple orchard, or you might be able to find one closer to you. Picking apples is normally cost-effective as you pay a set price to pick all the apples you want.
For apple orchards close to my hometown, you can fill an entire basket for 20-25 dollars. While it would be cheaper to purchase apples from the grocery store; however, apple picking at an orchard is an experience and a memory to be made.
In addition to picking delicious, fresh apples, you will also have the chance to roam the orchard and see the beautiful fall leaves. If you have children, they can also help pick apples. Some orchards even allow furry friends to come along.
Even if you want to go apple picking alone, you are sure to have a great time and rest in the beauty of God’s creation. Fall is a wonderful time of the year, and it gives us a glimpse of how amazing the changing of the seasons is.
We are no longer oppressed by the heat or kept inside because of the frigid cold. Rather, we have the opportunity to delight ourselves in God’s beautiful creation.
2. Going on Nature Walks
A second cost-effective fall activity you could try this year is to go on nature walks. Nature walks are always fun and give you the chance to see the beauty of fall in its greatness.
The first time I went on a nature walk was in kindergarten and it is something that has always been a fond memory. On our nature walk, my teacher would point out different trees, leaves, and clouds, and tell us about them. It was a fun way to learn about the world around me.
While many may think nature walks are only for children, they can actually be for all people. You can take yourself on a nature walk and enjoy the beauty of the colors around you.
Maybe you don’t know the exact type of tree, but you can still appreciate its beauty. If you have a furry friend, bring them along too for your nature walk. If you don’t have a furry friend, maybe take a family member, or a friend, or just spend time talking with God.
No matter which way you choose, a nature walk will help you enjoy the fall without draining your bank account.
3. Hayrides
A third cost-effective fall activity is to go on a hayride. This activity is more for a family or a friend group; however, it is still worth mentioning. It might be awkward to go on a hayride by yourself, but maybe this can be a way to challenge yourself and take yourself on a self-care day.
If you really want to go on a hayride, don’t let going alone hold you back. Hayrides normally allow many people, and you might make some new friends while you go on your hayride.
Hayrides are a great way to explore an area without having to walk too far. This is appreciated by many people, especially those who are older or young children.
A hayride gives you the opportunity to see beautiful landscapes, and animals, and experience the deep connection of fall as you feel the crisp air.
Most hayrides are on farms; therefore, you will be able to see a farm in addition to going on a hayride. If you have children, they also will enjoy going on a hayride and seeing all the beauty of fall.
4. Exploring a New City
A fourth cost-effective fall activity is to explore a new city. With the weather being cooler, we are more prone to go outdoors and roam around. Exploring a new city can be the perfect thing your itching feet want to do.
Look up a city that is close to you and plan a day that would be convenient for you. From personal experience, the highway tends to have less traffic on Sundays; however, many local businesses and stores are not open on Sundays, especially in small towns.
Nonetheless, plan in accordance with what works best for you and what will make you feel the most comfortable.
Exploring a new city might be expensive, but not if you explore it in a cost-effective way. Instead of buying items, just window shop. Maybe the town has many parks, so try to explore the parks and soak in the fall time.
If you are there during lunch or dinner time, you can also still be cost-effective by picking a restaurant that is not expensive. For most cities, lunch is cheaper, so getting your meal at lunch rather than dinner might be more cost-effective for your trip.
5. Playing a New Sport
A fifth cost-effective fall activity is to play a new sport. Fall time is a wonderful time to start a new sport because it is cooler, and the weather overall tends to be better. Think about basketball, soccer, or roller skating.
Any sport you choose is sure to be a great time for you as well as anyone you choose to play the sport with. Pickleball has grown in popularity since the pandemic; therefore, maybe you know a friend who plays pickleball, and this might be the perfect sport for you to try out.
If playing sports isn’t your thing and it’s not something you enjoy, you can still stretch your legs and go for a walk. Maybe your friends or children enjoy playing a sport, but you can also have fun supervising.
My mother used to take my sisters and me bike riding a lot during fall time; however, she didn’t know how to ride a bike herself. Despite her not being able to know how to ride a bike, she still enjoyed walking along with us and seeing us happy as we rode our bikes.
There are many more cost-effective fall activities you could try, and you can even be creative to make your own activities. Sidewalk chalk, playing outdoor games, or painting outside are all other cost-effective activities you could try this fall.
There is really no limit to how many activities you can do this fall and how much joy it will bring into your life. Even something simple, such as going for a walk and listening to the way the wind blows can be a soothing activity this fall that won’t cost you a penny.
No matter what you choose to do, you are sure to enjoy your fall if you keep your mind on the Lord and the beauty, He has revealed to us in His beautiful creation.
For further reading:
How to Deal with Grief This Autumn Season
Why Is God Called the ‘Lord of the Harvest’?
How Should Christians Respond to Changing Seasons?
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Fly View Productions
