The autumn months are packed with opportunities to host and connect with others. As families wrap up their summer travels and kids go back to school, communities buzz with new energy. The school schedule brings some needed routine after a summer of long, unstructured days and endless adventures. And communities start to plan for fall harvest and the upcoming holidays.
The excitement of the autumn season and cooler temperatures inspire the hostess in me. I start dreaming up all the comfort foods I am going to cook and bake, as well as ways we can extend our hospitality as a family. Hospitality doesn’t just mean inviting people over. While I encourage you to open your doors and invite people into your home no matter what kind of space you have, you can practice hospitably outside of your home too! Many of my favorite opportunities to connect with others and offer our hospitality take place in public spaces.
Here are 10 ideas for family-friendly hosting this fall.
1. Block Party
A block party is a super simple way to gather and connect with neighbors after a busy summer. Now that kids are back in school, you are more likely to catch your neighbors home. Our block has a party every year. The family across the street offers up their front lawn and grill and we handle the invites/communication. Everyone brings their own meat to throw on the grill, plus a side dish or dessert to share.
2. A Day at a U-Pick Farm
Invite other families to join you at a u-pick farm. Many orchards offer u-pick hours. Pack a picnic and enjoy this seasonal activity with friends. Late summer – early fall is also dahlia season in parts of the US! Find a flower farm that offers u-pick hours. Some of my favorite fall flower u-pick varieties are dahlias, zinnias, and sunflowers. These varieties look stunning in fall bouquets. I also like to mix in cosmos, dried grasses, mums, and greenery for a more complete bouquet. You can pack some sweet treats to nibble on and ribbons and mason jars to dress up your bouquets and transport them home.
3. Dessert and a Concert in the Park
Many parks across the country host free summer concerts. Some concert series extend into the fall. Invite another family or two to join yours for a concert in the park. Bring blankets, some fun drinks, dessert, and enjoy the free music.
4. Farmers Market Picnic
In many parts of the U.S., farmers markets continue well into autumn. Bring a basic meal (such as sandwiches), beverages, and some extra picnic supplies (cutting boards, plates, cups, etc.) and invite some friends to join you. Shop the farmers market together for fun cheeses, fresh produce, apple cider, and sweet treats to complete your meal.
There is a loop through farm country near us that we enjoy exploring every year. Over the years we have invited family and friends to join us on the loop. We pack a basic picnic, and then stop by farm stands and pick up things along the way. At the final stop, we find a shady spot under a tree and enjoy a simple meal and all the goods we found that day. This is an activity we love as a family and it does not take much additional effort to share the experience with others.
5. Movie Night
Pick a family-friendly movie and invite another family over for a movie night. If you have a projector and want to go all out with a movie under the stars, awesome. But the couch and TV inside work great too and there is nothing wrong with keeping things simple. Pop some popcorn and press play. I love taking something that we were going to do anyway and turning it into an opportunity to practice hospitality as a family.
6. Harvest Party
This could be in your own backyard or at an event in your community.
Many towns throw harvest festivals. Our community hosts a fantastic harvest festival every year. It is a super sweet event that honors the farming traditions of our area. There are so many activities for the kids. Some years we invite other families to join us. One year, we invited a family over for a hearty breakfast at our house and then we all went to the festival together.
Or, maybe you have a garden or some fruit trees that are brimming with more produce than you can handle. Harvest what your family will consume and then invite others over to pick what they would like. Offer some small bites and a refreshing or cozy beverage, depending on the weather.
7. Pumpkin Decorating/Carving
This is an activity many families do in some form. Why not do it together? Other parents will be thrilled that you offered up your house to host the mess. If the mess is a concern, consider carving/decorating the pumpkins outside on the lawn or patio if the weather is nice. Or set up a station in your garage. Set out some simple snacks and supply the carving/decorating supplies.
8. Halloween Party
The weeks leading up to Halloween are a perfect time to host a family-friendly Halloween party and get additional use out of your family’s costumes. You can find endless Halloween activity ideas on Pinterest.
9. Friendsgiving
Friendsgiving is a popular event among the child-free community. But what about a kids Friendsgiving? Let your kids select the menu and help prepare the meal. Then, let them each invite a few of their friends over and encourage their friends to bring their favorite dish. Have some basic craft activities out, like making pilgrim hats or a hand turkey. Use this gathering as an opportunity to teach your kids some hospitality skills and how to express gratitude.
10. Happy Hour
When the days get short and you are looking for screen-free ways to spend a weekday evening, consider inviting your neighbors and/or friends over for a happy hour. I prefer to time this early in the evening (right after work) and put out a few appetizers and fun drinks (for adults and kids). It is super casual, but a fun way to fill a weekday evening.
So why practice hospitality as a family this time of year?
For me, autumn is about sharing any abundance we may have, expressing gratitude, and embracing the warmth and joy of family traditions. Welcoming others into our family home is one way we can do that. Practicing hospitality as a family teaches our children many social skills, generosity, and empathy. It is about living out many of the ideals and values we hope to instill in our children. For a deeper discussion on reasons to practice hospitality as a family, check out my post Practicing Hospitality: Opening Our Doors to the World.
