Autumn Fun for the Family!

Now that summer has unofficially ended and autumn is upon us, parents are looking for activities that will engage their children, build their self-esteem, encourage healthy and successful development and not cost an arm and a leg. With a focus on broadening your child’s experiences while encouraging successful motor coordination, language, social emotional, and cognitive development, the following are some suggestions that will take you and your little ones away from the television and the video games and into the truly interactive world.


A child’s play is not only amazing and amusing, but it is also paramount in healthy childhood development. The playground is your child’s early life university. Whether it is the 2 year old dipping one toe and then the other in the sprinklers until she builds her confidence and courage to get her entire body wet -- or the 6 year old challenging the 5 year old to climb higher on the jungle gym -- the playground is an ideal environment for your child to learn how to navigate the world, build relationships and learn about life. The Bleecker Street playground at Bank Street is always filled with children of all ages, as well as activities and equipment that will promote your child’s language, social, and motoric development. The Imagination Playground at Burling Slip is a safe, creatively designed space which encourages child directed, unstructured play.

The New York City Public Library is a great place for your child to build their imagination along with their love for books. Offering activities from arts and crafts to music and film for children, the library is an ideal nurturing environment where your child can flourish. All branches offer story time for children of different ages. Story time is where children and their care takers can enjoy new and classic children’s stories, learn action songs, make friends, and meet other children from their neighborhood.

The zoo! There is nothing more educational and exciting to a child than seeing lioness care for her cub, or watching a polar bear jump in and out of the water. One of the world’s most spectacular zoos is just a short subway ride to The Bronx. The Bronx Zoo has events and exhibits throughout the fall including a scary Halloween celebration for all family members. “ Boo at the Bronx Zoo” runs throughout October and includes a haunted safari, hayrides and parades. Your child will love it.

Rainy day activities can run the gamut from pretend play tea parties to baking chocolate chip cookies, to charades and Pictionary. A rainy day is a great opportunity to engage playfully with your child. The positive interaction between a parent and child is paramount in developing language, self-esteem, and social skills. For great rainy day ideas there are many sites to visit, my favorite site is Amazing Moms. You will find loads of creative ideas to keep your children occupied while sparking the creative fires. One simple project I enjoy and so will your kid constructing a time capsule. A decorated shoe box, and a few keepsakes can create hours of fun and it will certainly make for an interesting conversations between your child and yourself.

Curiosity, exposure, and interaction are key in your child’s development. Participation in simple activities this autumn can encourage healthy development on all levels. Don’t skip the hayrides or the pumpkin patches this fall. Create memories and enjoyment that your child will cherish for years to come!