To quote A.A. Milne, author of the beloved Winnie the Pooh books, “The end of the summer is not the end of the world. Here’s to October.”
October is one of our favourite months of the year. Fall is a time of changing leaves, warming spices, and comforting foods and drinks. Although the temperature might be a little lower and the weather less predictable, we’re inspired to embrace October’s bright, crisp days while they last. Here are ten things we love doing outside in October.
1. Visit a local farm
Whether picking apples or picking up a pumpkin, visiting a local farm is a great way to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and reconnect with how your food is grown. In addition to fresh seasonal produce, local farms often feature fun outdoor activities such as corn mazes and hay rides you can enjoy in the fall. If apples make their way into your basket, we recommend trying to make our easy cinnamon apple chip recipe or zero-waste apple cider.
2. Go camping
October is an ideal time to enjoy camping, even though the days are getting shorter and colder. In the city, it can be easy to feel disconnected from nature’s natural rhythms, and one of the best things about camping in the fall is that you get to experience the change in seasons firsthand. Not to mention it’s often much quieter than the peak of summer. It’s important to remember that camping in the fall requires different planning than in the summer. Check out this article for some handy fall camping tips.
3. Go for a hike
If camping isn’t for you, October has some of the best weather for hiking. The weather is cool and crisp, you can layer up or down as needed for the temperature, and the scenery is gorgeous. Here’s how we recommend building your hiking outfit from the inside out and our favourite pieces to wear out on the trail.
4. Watch the leaves change
Here at tentree, we’re big fans of the changing leaves in fall. In fact, our Motion Graphic Designer is heading to Toronto specifically to take in this seasonal event. This month head outside and find a good spot in nature to lay out a picnic blanket, get comfortable and slow down as you enjoy the fiery colours around you. You could even turn this into a meditative practice and bring a sketchbook to draw or write down what you see.
5. Preserve fall leaves
The art of preserving fall foliage is another activity that gets you outdoors and lets you carry the colours of autumn with you through winter. Take a walk in your favourite neighbourhood or head out for a hike and collect leaves along the way. Here are two different ways to preserve your leaves. These make great additions to homemade cards or seasonal table decorations.
6. Go star gazing
Grab a blanket, make some hot chocolate or tea, and huddle up with someone you love to watch the stars. If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, fall and winter feature some of the coolest star-gazing opportunities, from eclipses to meteor showers. Here’s a list of some of October’s more noteworthy celestial events.
7. Organize a walking tour or a run
Whether you’re rallying friends or connecting with neighbours, inspire those around you to get outside, and enjoy the fall weather together. Organize a 5km run around the neighbourhood or a local park, or plan a walking tour stopping off at your favourite local cafes or breweries. At each stop, you could sample a particular coffee or drink and then vote on which stop was best at the end.
8. Host a bonfire
- Please note that this suggestion is contingent on your local fire regulations and should not be undertaken if there are fire bans of any kind in effect. Before starting any fire, ensure you’ve familiarized yourself with the dos and don’ts of building a fire and are not violating any local or regional laws.
Nothing says fall quite like a campfire (complete with s’mores, obviously). With the cool weather, October is the perfect time to invite friends or family over and spend some time together outside, warmed by the glow of a fire. Check out this article for inspiration on hosting your own bonfire party.
9. Get festive
If you’re reading this article, you’re probably too old for trick-or-treating. But if you have kids, younger siblings or children in your life, it’s a great way to get outside, get some fresh air, and connect with people in your neighbourhood with whom you might not normally cross paths. If you don’t have children, participate by giving out treats. Check out this article and this one for eco-friendly, zero-waste Halloween treats for trick-or-treaters.
10. Help a neighbour
As winter quickly approaches, October can be the perfect time to lend a helping hand to strengthen your connection with people in your community while also getting outside. Get creative and inspired by the connections you can make. Here are some quick ideas to get you started.
- Help your neighbours rake up leaves.
- Inquire if elderly neighbours need assistance weeding their gardens or tidying their property before winter.
- Tidy up local shared spaces like benches and ensure they’re litter-free.
- Support a neighbour by walking their dog on a busy day.
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