We might be looking at the end of summer and, sure, your kids might be looking at the dawning school year with no shortage of grumpiness, but fall doesn’t have to be all darkness. Keep the season brighter by making the occasion to spend time bonding with your kids over some of the following activities.

Head out into the wild

The way that nature changes each season can be a fantastic sight to behold, and no time does it better than fall. Seeing the change in the leaves, how the woods look under the early dusk, and enjoying a warm drink by the campfire can all make regular camping trips more than worth it. Just make sure that you’re well-equipped with the right camping chair after a long day of exploring together.

Go apple picking

If your kids are a little younger, or you want to teach them about the way that we grow and source the food that we eat, a trip out to a family-friendly orchard can be an excellent way to spend a day. Look for orchards or other family farms that have plenty to do for young ones so they have a full day after they’ve had their fill of picking fresh fruit.

Make Halloween your thing

Halloween doesn’t have to be for the kids only. Especially if your children are younger, consider making it a family affair. Spending the day preparing treats, going out trick or treating in matching costumes, like one of those great pirates costumes for men with your kid being your crewmate (or parrot if they’re of the more feral kind), and then back at night to enjoy the candy with an age-appropriate spooky-themed movie. Make it a day to look forward to every year.

The perfect time to bake

If you get to keep those apples you picked from the orchard, then why not make it even more memorable by baking a delicious apple pie together? Nothing says fall like delicious sweet treats, and you can start teaching your child how to bake their favorites. It’s a practical skill that can build into an aptitude for cooking with ease.

Look up at the night sky

One of the benefits of longer nights is getting more time with that beautiful night sky. While it might be raining more often than not, you’re still going to get the chance to see the stars once in a while. You can kickstart a lifelong interest in the skies, the cosmos, and maybe even the science behind them if you pick up a cheap telescope to use with the kids, and keep up to date with sites that track things like meteor showers and other points of interest you can catch in the night sky.

The change in season, and especially the increasing darkness of the day, can have a real impact on the mood of the family. Find the opportunities to lift it back up, following tips like those mentioned above, and fall can become a time of tons of nostalgic memories for you and the kids.