By Sarah Kaufman, Manilla.com

Sarah Kaufman is the managing editor for The Manilla Blog and marketing manager for Manilla.com, the leading, free and secure service that helps consumers manage all of their bills and accounts in one place online or via the 4+ star user-rated mobile apps.
 
Fall is by far my favorite time of year.
 
I’m not sure if it’s the crisp, cool temperature or the endless supply of Halloween candy at my disposal (I’m leaning toward the latter). But when I think about what fall was like growing up for me, it’s the time when I recall being the happiest as a kid.
 
It’s that time when you can let out a sigh of relief that the deadly summer heat won’t return for at least nine more months. Apple cider and pumpkin bread are suddenly staples around the house. And the slight chill in the air calls for an extra blanket on the bed and log on the fire.
 
Fall is the perfect time to create long-lasting traditions with your nieces and nephews that they’ll recall 20 years down the road. The best part is that the not-too-cold-not-too-hot weather lends itself to engaging in plenty of outdoor activities that are oftentimes quite inexpensive (or free!).
 
Make Halloween costumes
Don’t be alarmed — this doesn’t mean it’s time to break out the sewing machine and head to your local craft store. Even for non-artsy aunties, it’s easy to put together a Do-It-Yourself costume that hardly costs a penny. One of the best ways to do this is to see what your niece or nephew already has on hand. Is she into ballet or soccer? Use her tights and leotard to turn her into a ballerina, or take her soccer uniform to transform her into an all-star soccer player. To make it an afternoon activity, create custom signs with encouraging messages like “Go #9” or “Go Team!” using poster board (about 50 cents to $1 per piece at your local Walmart or Target) and markers. (To see more easy budget-friendly Halloween costume ideas, click here.)
 
Haunted house
Depending on the age and tolerance of your niece or nephew, this activity could end in shouts and laughs, or tears and nightmares. For older kids who don’t scare easily, a haunted house is the perfect activity that could even leave them yelling, “Let’s go again!” Do some online research to find some recommended haunted houses in your area. Most of them range from $5 to $30 per person or more, but if you have trouble finding ones that scale on the cheaper end, bring another adult family member or friend with you to split the cost.
 
Hayride and pumpkin patch
My favorite part about this activity is that the benefits are twofold. Not only can you go on a hayride and stroll through a pumpkin patch at the same location (most of the time), but a lot of times a pumpkin patch will also have a place for apple picking. And when you return home, the fun doesn’t stop: you can carve or decorate the pumpkins, and teach your nieces and nephews how to bake using the apples you picked. At the end of the day, all you’ll have paid for are the pumpkins themselves (and maybe the carving tools, which you can buy online for $10 or less).
 
Fall baking
Whether you use the apples and pumpkins from the activity above or purchase the ingredients at the store, fall baking (or any baking, for that matter) is an (inexpensive) activity that kids absolutely love. It allows you to not only spend time with your nieces and nephews but also teach them something new. When you allow a child to participate in an activity like stirring a boiling pot or chopping an ingredient (carefully supervised, of course), you’re showing her that you trust her and that it’s something she can handle. It’s a unique, amazing way to make your niece or nephew more confident and proud.

Published: October 23, 2012