10 Fall Play Date Ideas

Keep Busy with Fun, Fall Play Date Ideas

It is fall, y'all. Fall is our favorite season of the year. No matter the season, we make time to get outside and play every day. Are you stuck inside? Bored? Get out and try some of these Fall Play Date Ideas. Enjoy!

Fall play date ideas don't have to be fancy... Just play!

The Voice of Play is an education and advocacy initiative of the non-profit membership association, IPEMA, formed to educate and promote the benefits of children’s free outdoor play and playgrounds. They encourage the scientifically proven physical, social, emotional, and cognitive benefits of play.

Outdoor play is free! Once a week, we visit a different local park and have unstructured play dates with a local homeschool group.

We are fortunate in that we have been able to live our dream life on a beautifully wooded, five-acre property. Everyday, we go for a walk, visit the fish and ducks on our pond, take a paddle boat ride, check out the creatures of the creek, and just play in the yard.

The best part about fall, of course, is the changing leaves. What fun to scoop some up and let them flow through the air! Rake up a pile and jump. It is simple. It is sensory. And, it couldn't be more fun if it cost money.

We wanted to share some pictures of how we play at home. For more fall play date ideas, keep scrolling down.

Little ones enjoy the sensory aspect of leaves. They crunch, they crumble, and crack.

She made the leaves disappear!

What happens when you put a leaf on a slide? Play = Preschool Science.

Go on a hike to collect leaves for a science project.

Hide and seek is always a hit.

Climbing trees is cool too.

Monkey see. Monkey do.

I dub the Sir Fall.

Raking leaves is good exercise.

Leaves = Happy Kid.

We need to build a tree house.

• Play Disc Golf with your Trees
• Play Date Ideas for Preschoolers
• Ideas for Nature Based Circle Time
• Pirate Pretend Play
• Outdoor Play Date Ideas
• Visit an Apple Orchard with Friends
• Cold Weather Play Date Ideas for Toddlers
• Play with Shaving Cream Outdoors
• Outdoor Play Ideas
• Go for a Hike and Pretend you are Secret Investigators

*This post is sponsored by the Voice of Play. All words and opinions are my own.  #YearRoundPlay 

Recommended:

Outdoor Geometric Dome Climber*

The Pumpkin Book by Gail Gibbons*

ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products. *We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Chitika, Google Adsense, Sverve, Izea, and Social Spark ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)

Adam Rubin Author Books

Books by Adam Rubin, Author

Who is Adam Rubin? He is an author who writes fun books for kids. You might remember his story, Those Darn Squirrels. With the release of his most recent children's book, Robo-Sauce, Mr. Rubin has quit his day job to become a full-time author. Jealous. His other jobs were pretty cool too. He once pitched interactive games, t.v. commercials, and brands. Now, he is just awesome sauce. Enjoy this review of his newest book releasing October 20, 2015.

Adam Rubin Author Books: Robo-Sauce.

Robo-Sauce is the perfect book for boys who don't like to read. Tweens and Teens alike will enjoy the flourescent orange graphics and lively illustrations by Daniel Salmieri. The book is interactive and takes a fun twist at the end.

You mustn't just read the story. You'll want to become a robot too. What's a squishy human boy to do? Create your own recipe for robo-sauce, of course. Robo-sauce will turn you into the exact robot you've dreamed of becoming, but Mr. Rubin's recipe ingredients are hard to find. Good luck, trying to make that sauce!

Eating Robo-Sauce preparing to turn into a robot.

Since, it is all about pretending, we've come up with the best robo-sauce recipe for kids who love to eat sweets. Just in time for Halloween too! So, grab your treat bucket with all that ooey-gooey candy and create a recipe that is sure to activate your robot resources.

Halloween Candy Leftover Robo-Sauce:

1 Pint of Vanilla Ice Cream or Yogurt
1 batch of M and M's or 1 batch of Halloween Candy Bars
1 batch of Smarties or Skittles Candies
1/2 C. Fruit
Chocolate or Caramel Syrup
1/2 C. Almond Milk
Plastic Sandwich Bags
Orange Food Coloring Gel

• Remove ice cream from Fridge.  

• Unwrap your favorite candies and place in sealed plastic sandwich bag. To become a robot you need to show superior strength. You might want to pound the candy flat with your robo fists.

• Get ice cream. Take a plastic butter knife and run it around the edge of the container to make it easier to pour or scoop out.

• Pour or Place into a large bowl. Use a wooden spoon or plastic spatula to mush up the ice cream.

• Stir in Almond Milk.

• Add three-five drops of orange food coloring gel.

Yellow plus Red makes Orange.

Looking like Robo-Sauce.

• Fold in (Add) Robo squishy candies

• Stir gently with spoon or spatula.

Your Robo-Sauce is ready to eat and share with friends! Once you take the first bite- start moving like a robot. As you eat more of the cold sauce, notice how it feels when you eat it. Your body is getting colder- just like a metal robot. Now, walk and talk like a robot for the rest of the day.

Want to win your own copy of the book? Leave a comment by October 31, 2015. We'll choose one person to win!

Recommended:

Those Darn Squirrels*

Robot Crafts and Costumes

Recipes for Kids from Kids Creative Chaos

Robo-Sauce Free Printables

Dragons Love Tacos*

Things to do with a Box

Secret Pizza Party*



ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products. *We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Chitika, Google Adsense, TAPINfluence, The Blogger Network, IZEA, Sverve, and Social Spark ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)

Printable November Calendar Special Days Holidays FREE

November 2017 Holidays PRINTABLE CALENDAR

This 2017 November Printable Calendar links to companion activities for each special day or holiday in the month of November. Download to print to use in homeschool, an after school program, or the classroom. Keep track of all the monthly special days. Enjoy!

Click the link under the image to find our November 2017 Calendar Printable with links to activities and crafts for Holidays in November. The free printable monthly calendar is 8.5 x 11, landscape without a border. To edit, save a copy and rename it.

2017 November Holiday Calendar for Kids.

2018 November Holiday Calendar for Kids.

Recommended:

Thanksgiving Crafts and Coloring Sheets

Free Printable December Calendar of Special Days

Make an Advent Calendar Craft

Stretchy Lesson Plans: December

Homemade Dr Pepper® Recipes

Dr Pepper® Recipes to Make at Home

Fall has arrived, and we are thinking football and what to eat while watching the games at home. You can get ready for game day when you make these one of a kind Dr Pepper® chicken tenders and muffins at home with these simple recipe and ingredients from Kroger. Kroger is the place for Game Day Greats. Even if you don't drink Dr Pepper®, we think you will love this homemade baked, breaded chicken recipe paired with cupcake muffins. Enjoy!

Make Dr Pepper® Recipes at home.

Your guests will be impressed with your one of a kind, unique game day recipes. Best of all, the ingredients needed are at your local Kroger. Dr Pepper® and Kroger are the ultimate football partners for your next homegating or tailgating event. 

Be sure to visit the Kroger in-store sweepstakes display with Miller
Coors®/Kellogg's®/Dr Pepper® for fly away trips to Rivalry Games. See your local store for more details. Also, don't forget to register  for your chance to win the #GDGSWEEPSTAKES.

We filled the cart with lots of goodies for college game day! We provide the entree and dessert, you bring the veggies and dip, okay?

How to Make Homemade Dr Pepper® Chicken Tenders

These delicious chicken tenders are ready in just 30 minutes. Serve them up at your next football party with a side of fried zucchini, waffle fries, and a glass of Dr Pepper® or simply have them out as an appetizer. 

1/2 C. Dr Pepper®
1/4 C.  all-purpose flour
1 egg
1 tablespoon water
1 C. Panko bread crumbs
Dash of Paprika
5-6 chicken breast tenders
Salt and Pepper to Taste

1. Heat oven to 425°F. Line a cookie sheet with foil, and spray it with cooking spray. (They will stick.)

2. In shallow dish or bowl, marinade chicken tenders in 1/2 C. Dr Pepper®. Toss to coat.

3. In another shallow dish, mix flour, panko, paprika, and salt and pepper with a fork. 

4. In yet another shallow dish, beat egg and 1/4 C. Dr Pepper®.

5. Now, dip chicken into egg/Dr Pepper® mixture, then coat with flour crumb mixture. Place on cookie sheet.

Homemade Dr Pepper® Chicken Tenders ready to go into oven.

4. Bake 15 to 20 minutes, turning once toward the end, until chicken is no longer pink in center and coating is an orange golden brown. 

Cooking in oven, spoon some more Dr Pepper® over any dry bits of flour.

Homemade Dr Pepper® Chicken Tenders.

This was delicious! Make easy Dr Pepper® chicken tenders at home.

Dr Pepper® Chocolate Chip Muffins Recipe is Easy

I mustache you a question. Do you like Dr Pepper®? We love it! No college football party (think homegating) is complete without Dr Pepper®and chocolate. Every party needs some chocolate! So, after your baked, chicken tenders, splurge with some fun, mustache cupcake muffins.

Dr Pepper® Chocolate Chip Cupcake Muffin with Cream Cheese Frosting.

Cart full of Gameday Goodies.

We found this fun post on Quarterbacks with Mustaches.

How to Make Dr Pepper® Chocolate Chip Cupcake Muffins

Ingredients

• Martha White Chocolate Chip Muffin Mix
• 1/2 C. Dr Pepper®
• 1/4 C. Almond Milk

Follow Package Instructions, but replace milk with Dr Pepper® and Milk measurements listed above.

Stir until frothy.

Place Cupcake liners in pan. Fill liners to top. You will need to scoop the chips into the muffin tins. They react with the Dr Pepper® and stay in the bottom of the bowl.

Bake according to package instructions. Remove from heat. Cool pan on wire baking rack.

Once cool, add your favorite Cream Cheese frosting. Then, stick on this paper printable mustache.

Mustache Cupcakes are fun for Game Day!

Mustache Chocolate Chip and Dr Pepper® Cupcakes.

We found some more fun recipes that use Dr Pepper®:

Dr Pepper® Cake and Icing

Dr Pepper® Cheesecakes

Dr Pepper® BBQ Chickens

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Dr Pepper®. Game Day Greats brought to you by Kroger. The opinions and text are all mine.

Recommended:

Edible Art

The Pioneer Woman Cooks*

Easy Weeknight Dinners

Make Superbowl Snack Taco Dip

ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)

Day of the Dead Facts, Costumes, and Activities

Looking for Activities for Day of the Dead?

What is Day of the Dead? When is Day of the Dead? Day of the Dead or  Día de los Muertos is November 1 in America. In Mexico, the holiday takes place over the first two days of November. It is a celebration to honor the dead. Today, we often associate the activities with Halloween, but the two holidays are not related except that they both derived from All Saints Day and All Souls Day. We've got some fun activities and costumes to help celebrate Day of the Dead. Enjoy!

Day of the Dead Facts

Oriental Trading Company donated items for this post. We got to choose items from their website. So, we picked out skeletons, costumes, and craft activities for the Day of the Dead.

Day of the Dead Mask for Halloween.

                     Free Printable Day of the Dead Mask

We  chose cool items for a Sugar Skull Costume for Halloween.

Day of the Dead Costume for Halloween.

We chose foam Skeleton Craft Kits which come in a pack of 12, and used markers to color them like Sugar Skulls.

Day of the Dead Facts, Costumes, and Activities.

Sugar Skull Recipe

Skeleton Craft Kit colored with markers to look like a Sugar Skull.

Recommended:

Spooky S'mores Recipe

Day of the Dead Book*

Book for Tween Boy: The Last Kids on Earth

Looking for Books for Tweens Who Don't Like to Read

Struggling to find a book your teen (or you) will like to read? "The Last Kids on Earth" by Max Brailler fits the bill. This is the ideal book for tween boys and girls. All we had to do was read the book blurb and our kids were clamoring to be the first one to read it! Want your own copy? Scroll down to find out how. Enjoy!

Book for Tween Boy: The Last Kids on Earth .

The Last Kids on Earth is a chapter book with lots of awesome
illustrations by Douglas Holgate. The illustrations are a great way to convince your reluctant reader to try it. The book is great as a group read for younger kids and a perfect tween read for kids 10-13 years old.

What's it about? Yeah, the title says it all.

Ever since the monster apocalypse hit town, average thirteen year old Jack Sullivan has been living in his tree house, which he's armed to the teeth with catapults and a moat, not to mention video games and an endless supply of Oreos and Mountain Dew scavenged from abandoned stores. But Jack alone is no match for the hoards of Zombies and Winged Wretches and Vine Thingies, and especially not for the eerily intelligent monster known only as Blarg. So Jack builds a team: his dorky best friend, Quint; the reformed middle school bully, Dirk; Jack's loyal pet monster, Rover; and Jack's crush, June. With their help, Jack is going to slay Blarg, achieve the ultimate Feat of Apocalyptic Success, and be average no longer! Can he do it? 

Want more? Here's a FREE PRINTABLE COMIC DOWNLOAD.

The Last Kids on Earth Book Review

Here's what Jake has to say about it:

• " I loved this book!" "If they don't make a sequel or a bunch of sequels they are crazy! I can't wait to read more."

Good news Jake; the sequel is coming in 2016!

• "I didn't like the idea of having a gigantic monster as the main enemy, but I did like teaming up with your enemies, the apocaplyptic scene, and having to survive as long as you can in a mutated world."

• "If I were writing a book like this, I would probably remove the gigantic monsters. Perhaps, add slightly more danger in it- make them basically nomads. I want more characters!"

• "To survive in a post apocalytpic world, I would gather up all useful supplies in the house and then be a nomad and collect things as I go along."

Want your own copy? Leave a comment below, and you are automatically entered to win. We'll choose a random winner on Oct. 31, 2015. Good luck!

Recommended:


Jake's Journey in Art

The Last Kids on Earth*


*This book was given to us for review, but it is not a sponsored post. All words and opinions are our own.


ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products. *We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Chitika, Google Adsense, and Social Spark ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)