Family Fun Inspiration for October 2019
Pumpkin patches, spooky-cute costumes and autumn treats, oh my! These are some of our family’s favorite things to make, explore and learn about during the month of October. I hope it inspires your family as well.
Dates to remember:
- October is National Pizza Month
- October is Bullying Prevention and Kindness Month
- 10/5: Do Something Nice Day
- 10/14: Canadian Thanksgiving/Columbus Day
- 10/14-10/20 is Earth Science Week
- 10/27 is Diwali
- 10/31 is Halloween
- 10/31-11/2: Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos)
MAKE
Jack-o’-lanterns
Skip the screams and aim for squeals this Halloween with your favorite PBS KIDS characters. Check out my easy how-to, complete with templates!
Calzones
We’ve “perfected” our pizza crust recipe over the years. For a fun spin on pizza, simply fold the dough over the toppings in the shape of a half circle, crimp the edges down to seal in the contents, but cut a few slits in the across the top to let the steam escape. Brush with butter or olive oil for extra flavor. Bake the calzone slightly longer than a regular pie, until the crust turns a light golden brown.
Canadian Thanksgiving Dinner
Our tradition to celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving (we’re American) began on a weekend away in nearby British Columbia. We stumbled upon a Thanksgiving buffet at a restaurant and decided we needed to carry on the tradition. Some years we call it “Friendsgiving” and invite friends over for a special meal.
Mud Pies
All you need are rocks or dirt, a random container and imagination. Turn the kids loose with this combination and the results are priceless.
More things to make this month:
- Kid-sized perfect pizza pies
- Tissue box dinosaur feet — perfect for stomping around the castle
- Pumpkin spice cupcakes
- Chocolate coconut banana bread (my favorite recipe is from America’s Test Kitchen)
- Get creative with palm art
EXPLORE
Go on a bug scavenger hunt
Print off a couple of copies of this scavenger hunt and go for a walk in the backyard or at a nearby park. Or check out Mac’s Field Guide (Good Bugs and Bad Bugs).
Pick the perfect pumpkin
Get lost in a corn field maze
Go on a misty ferry ride
LEARN
- Digital media resources for teaching topics in K–12 earth and space science
- How did Halloween traditions get their start?
- Practice counting and fractions with Peg + Cat (PBS KIDS) on Peg’s Pizza Palace.
- 10 reads that remind kids that empathy, diversity, and kindness are great ways to be a good neighbor!
- Here are three ways parents can empower kids to be “includers.”