Here are some great ideas to help you and the kids enjoy a wonderful autumn and half term.

So enjoy the showers and have wet weather fun, a great way to improve emotional well-being for children AND their parents & carers!

Autumn collages

Each time you go out, ask your child to collect any interesting leaves, conkers, bark or twigs that interest them and store them at home in a box or bag. Once they have a healthy collection in place, set out some paper, glue and craft materials and help them make a collage. This could be one big collective scattering or you could encourage them to build it into the shape of a tree, squirrel or bird.

You could add extra materials like coloured tissue paper, string and glitter or let them add colour to the finished article with paints, crayons and felt tip pens.

Exploring nature

Autumn is a wonderful time to teach your child about nature and there are plenty of ways to make your own fun. Use local walks to explore the natural environment, look at birds, plants and trees and ask your child to make note of anything they see that interests them. You could take snaps on a camera or have a pad and crayons at the ready for them to draw pictures and store any special objects they come across.

Fallen leaves make great hiding places and are super-fun to run through and kick around. You could also turn piles of leaves into an educational game by asking your child to try and find the original tree they came from.

Seasonal Food

Food that's grown in season is tastier, healthier and more economical as it doesn't require chemical-ridden greenhouses, pesticides and lots of air miles to grow and get into our local area. Take a trip to your local farm or food market to sample some of the delights on offer. Your child will love the sensory sights, smells and textures of the different foods and if you can find a 'pick your own farm’ even better!

Treasure hunt

An autumn treasure hunt is a lovely way for children to have fun, use their imagination and get a healthy dose of fresh air. Set some treasures out in the garden with little clues at each stop or take the fun elsewhere by selecting a nice little spot at the park. Considering their age and level of ability, give clues that will get them thinking about autumn and all of its wonderful attributes or set miniature tasks they can get involved in such as collecting mossy twigs, a black stone or different coloured leaves.

Take some hot chocolate and chocolate brownies as a treat and reward them with stickers or badges for completing the tasks.

Weather watch

Autumn is one of those adorable interchangeable seasons where we can watch the world around us change colour in preparation for winter. There's a chill in the air (though it's not yet freezing) and the skies are often blue - a heady mix that can inspire kids and adults alike to enjoy the great outdoors. No doubt your child has already noticed the drop in temperature and the falling leaves everywhere so make the most of their inquisitiveness by talking about the seasons and explaining the changing patterns in weather.

A weather chart is a great way for them to keep track of the changing season and it provides a good opportunity to get creative too. Lay out some card and ask them to design a tab for sunshine, rain, cloud and fair weather. They can use these to mark each day and make a fresh new chart at the end of the month

For more activities for the kids go to

http://www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/en/councilservices/children/childrens-events/pages/default.aspx