Autumn Activities

Being an Autumn born child and a redhead, I have a certain affinity for Autumn. I love the changing of the colours and way we all start to snuggle down. Autumn also increases my motivation to be more sustainable, something about the back-to-school new starts, having a birthday and the way nature changes between seasons connects me back to nature and inspires me to undergo my own changes. Here, I’m going to share some of my favourite seasonal activities to help you transition from the energy of summer into the softness of autumn, even in this year where months have lost all meaning….!

• One of my favourite activities is a simple one – going for an autumnal walk. I love seeing all the different colour leaves, feeling the crisp air, wearing many scarves and hearing the crunch of leaves underfoot. Take a moment of peace and joy with nature: throw leaves in the air, roll in them and reconnect with nature. Many studies have found time spent in nature positively impacts mental health, so looking up at the leaves changing colour may be what you need to clear your mind.
• While berries are still in season, a great activity is making natural paint. Berrries such as blackberries and raspberries work really well at creating natural paints that can be used to create seasonal pictures, such as the one seen in the featured images. Just pick a handful of berries (either responsibly from wild plants, respecting the needs of others and of wildlife, your garden or even from the shop) and mash them up in a bowl. Then push through a sieve into a small bowl and get painting! This is a really fun, calming and creative activity that can produce some beautiful results. Warning – as a natural dye, the colours will fade over time, so take a picture of work after you’ve finished if you want to keep a memory of it in its original colours.
• Collect a handful of dried, fallen leaves and string them along a length of string or ribbon to create an autumnal garland. This can make a really effective home display and bring nature inside!
• Craft an autumnal wreath using natural autumn materials collected by you – use leaves, dried grasses, nuts, bark and other materials to create a welcoming wreath! Stick your materials to a wooden, metal or card ring and hang up with a ribbon to welcome the new season.

There are so many activities and changes that autumn brings, but I hope this post provided a few other suggestions of ways to enjoy the season. Let this season be a time to reconnect with nature and check back in with yourself, whether that’s doing something creative, going for a walk outside or watching your favourite film with a hot drink and a soft blanket. Please be respectful of nature in any of the activities you undertake and enjoy the season!