It’s my favourite time of year – the leaves are turning and the nights are drawing in. After the long, hot summer that will be forever remembered as the heatwave of 2018 in the years to come, these cooler days are more than welcome, and yet it is still glorious enough to want to get outside.

And there are so many reasons to do so! From collecting acorns and conkers – let’s all grow more trees, shall we? – to autumn picnics in the park, surrounded by golden leaves, autumn is wonderful. Everyone is wrapped in warm sweaters and woolly scarves – a great excuse to learn to knit or crochet.

Boys and girls of all ages can embrace needlecraft and will enjoy making something they can actually wear, or gift to a friend or family member. By choosing super soft wool in their favourite colours, they can make simple scarves before moving onto wrist warmers, mittens and fingerless gloves.

This is also pumpkin season so whether you are picking your own, buying at a farmers market or simply grabbing some from your local supermarket, there are a few things I’d like to share.

Firstly, did you know the carving pumpkins are not edible? I didn’t until researching this article. Apparently, carving pumpkins are stringy, thin skinned and watery – great for art work, but not so great for soup. However, the smaller squashes and tiny pumpkins are flesh-filled, nutritious and delicious, and when just ripe are perfect for making yummy soup or pie.

Pumpkin soup is so easy to make

Pumpkin soup could not be easier to make – simply chop and fry basic ingredients before blitzing and pouring into bowls. Children will love helping to chop up pumpkin, potato and onion – with parental guidance of course! Older kids can help with frying and blending, whilst little ones pour on the cream and sprinkle the dry-toasted pumpkin seeds.

How about taking hot soup in a flask on an autumn picnic, and maybe hot chocolate too for afters? Nothing beats running around outdoors then eating warm and delicious foods whilst feeling a cool breeze on your skin.

I love collecting leaves for leaf prints, conkers for my arrangements at home, and I can always be found dragging ‘interesting’ branches home to decorate my seasonal table. I think of it as a precursor to Christmas to begin my decoration now, simply adding in some fairy lights to a table of branches, leaves and collected items. A candle centrepiece certainly creates the mood of celebration to take us through Harvest, Halloween, Bonfire Night and Thanksgiving, if you are mindful of that holiday – as many people are these days.

This half term why not plan a few adventures and creative exploits, and bring the whole family together. Check out events in your wider community too where those who are lonely or isolated would appreciate sharing crafts, meals, stories and of course loads of giggles as we celebrate the turning of the year and the blessings our families truly bring us. From church coffee mornings to charity events, your donations of gifts, food or time will go such a long way and show your children the true meaning of family.