Fall Fun:

• Apple Picking Farms in Connecticut, including Fairfield County, Litchfield County, and New Haven County
• Fall Family Fun: Corn Mazes--Corn Mazes in Western Connecticut including Fairfield County, Litchfield County, and New Haven County
• Halloween 2011 activities!--all of Halloween in one place

Resources:

• Fall Is in the A
• ir and on the Trees--Your Connecticut Fall Foliage Guide
• What to Expect when Apple Picking at an Orchard--The Apple Picking Guide for First Timers and More
• Pumpkin Pickin' Time--How to Pick a Great Pumpkin!
• Pumpkin Carving Tips

Fall Recipes:

• Family Friendly Fall Cooking
• Apple German Pancakes Recipe
• Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Bars
• Apple Dumplings
• Lime Toasted Pumpkin Seeds

Fall Crafts:

• Mighty Oaks From Little Acorns Grow--An Edible Craft for Fall
• Make Colorful Fall Leaves: A Craft for Fall
• Leaf Lacing Craft for Little Hands to Welcome Fall--Keep little ones busy and learning

Halloween Events for 2011

• Click here for Halloween Events and activities for this weekend, October 21, 22, 23, and through the week.
• Click here for Halloween Events and activities for Halloween Weekend 2011.

Disclaimer: I try to give hints about ages when they are included in the description or based on the description. As parents, you know your child best and are the most capable judge of what they can handle. If there are any doubts to the appropriateness of activities, please visit the websites (links provided in most cases ...

Haunts (many for teens):

• Trail of Terror in Wallingford, CT--for teens
• The Haunted Corn Maze at March Farm in Bethlehem, CT--for older kids
• The Haunted Graveyard at Lake Compounce in Bristol, CT-for older kids
• Nightmare Fair: Trails from the Crypt at the Discovery Museum in Bridgeport, CT--for older kids, Saturday calendar entry
• Nightmare Fair: Trails from the Crypt at the Discovery Museum in Bridgeport, CT--for older kids, Sunday calendar entry
• Haunted High School presented by Oxford High School Drama Club in Oxford, CT--Tuesday

Trick ...

Haunts:

• The Haunted Graveyard at Lake Compounce in Bristol, CT-for older kids
• Trail of Terror in Wallingford, CT--for teens
• Nightmare Fair: Trails from the Crypt at the Discovery Museum in Bridgeport, CT--for older kids, Friday and Saturday calendar entry
• Nightmare Fair: Trails from the Crypt at the Discovery Museum in Bridgeport, CT--for older kids, Sunday calendar entry (different times)
• The Haunted Corn Maze at March Farm in Bethlehem, CT--for older kids

Trick or Treating:

• Safe Trick or Treat at the Westfield Trumbull Mall in Trumbull ...

I love every season in Connecticut. I admit that Fall is one of my favorites. The air becomes crisp and before you know it, you are surrounded by a canopy of golden leaves. It's time to pick apples, take hay rides, and enjoy the all that New England has to offer.

Here are facts from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

Foliage season begins in mid-to-late September and extends through mid-to-late October. Peak color is estimated to be between October 11 and November 13. 

As a savvy ...

Never been to a commercial farm before?

Perhaps you are a city dweller heading into the country for the day. Maybe you've moved to Connecticut after a stint at a more urban location. If you've never been apple picking before, you might be surprised. 

My first time apple picking was quite an eye-opener. I guess I thought it would be a bit like a store. You go in the entrance, walk ten feet, pick a few apples, and then head to the cash register. Boy, was I wrong ...

There is nothing like the crisp, fresh taste of an apple picked right from the tree. Connecticut's farm-land is alive and well.

These orchards are open for apple (and even other fruit) picking in September and most of October. Always call ahead or check the website before heading out to pick to make sure you know when and where to go.

Let them know you saw them on Mac Kid!

March Farm 

160 Munger Lane

Bethlehem, CT 06751

(203) 266-7721

Cost:

• 1/2 peck (5-7 lbs) $5
• 1 peck ...

Select Corn Mazes in Fairfield County, Litchfield County, and New Haven County 

Castle Hill Farm

40 Sugar Lane

Newtown, CT 06470

(203) 426-5487

Hours: 11 am - 5 pm weekends, 2 - 5 pm weekdays

Admission: $8

Plasko's Farm

670 Daniels Farm Rd.

Trumbull, CT

(203) 268-2716

Hours: Open through October 31st. Fridays 3 - 5 pm, Saturday and Sunday 9 am - 6 pm

Admission: $7 adults (13+), $6 children, toddlers are free

Test ...

1. A fresh-off-the-vine, pick-your-own pumpkin farm the best bet. Another good place is a farm stand, as at least the pumpkins were picked nearby and did not have to endure the jostling that might occur during shipment to supermarkets.
2. Look at the pumpkin from all sides before picking it. Make sure that the entire pumpkin is ...

1. The Bigger the Better...or easier to carve.  Pumpkins with a light colored skin are softer and easier to cut.  Shy away from bruises and or moldy stems 

2.  Don't create your lid by cutting straight down or it will fall in.  Place the knife at a 42 degree angle. 

3.  Be sure to save your seeds for a healthy snack! 

4.  Ice cream scoops work great for scooping out the seeds.  Be sure to scrape the walls well.  About 1 inch thickness is ideal. 

5.  Inexperienced carvers ...

Fall is certainly a buffet for the senses. Beautiful scenery, the sound of crickets, the smell of fallen leaves, and the scent of favorite fall foods cooking in the kitchen remind us that winter is just around the corner. 

Nearly everyone knows that fall is the time for cinnamon, nutmeg, warm soup, and pumpkin pie. Family favorites taste delicious and set the stage for fond memories that will be relived for generations to come. Even small children can get involved in food preparation and memory making. Pumpkin pie is a ...

Once you pick all of those tasty apples, here's a delicious way to use them!

3 peeled and sliced tart apples ( I like honey crisp or pink lady, granny smith works well too)1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup milk
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
4 Eggland's Best Eggs

Preheat oven to 425 degrees

Slice apples and saute in an oven proof ...

• 4 eggs
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
• 2 cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 cup raisins, if desired

• 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 2 to 3 teaspoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 4 cups powdered sugar ...

Combine in a large pot:

• 2 24 oz jars of applesauce – one chunky 1 original (you can also cut up fresh apples)
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 4 tablespoons butter
• Bring all of the above to a boil.  This mix boils very quickly!
• In a bowl, combine:
• 2 ¼ cup Bisquick mix
• 2/3 cup milk

Mix until soft dough forms.  Drop dough mixture by spoonful into the boiling applesauce mixture.  The dough will be super sticky, so don’t worry about making actual dough balls.  Reduce your ...

These are delicious sprinkled on soups and salads, and eaten as a snack.

Ingredients:

• 6 tablespoons of lime juice
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 2 cups of raw pumpkin seeds

Directions:

1. In small bowl mix lime juice and salt until salt dissolves.
2. In a dry heavy frying pan, toast seeds over med. heart until they snap and change color.  Be sure to stir seeds in pan constantly.
3. Remove pan from heat and add lime juice.  
4. Stir until all seeds are coated and allow to dry.

This craft was shared with me by an awesome teacher! She does a great craft with her students at least once a week. Thanks for sharing, Julie! 

What you need:

• Watered down watercolor paints
• Leaves cut out of large coffee filter (can buy pre-cut at some teacher stores)
• Eye droppers (think old medicine droppers)

What you do:

Water down the watercolor paint to make them more fluid.

Use eye droppers to drop colors onto each leaf. (I think a paintbrush that is so wet that is drips will work, too ...

Last year was my first October in Georgia, and I was still growing accustomed to the traditions of the South....the warmer weather, the SEC mania, the grits (okay, I'm still not used to those!).  Imagine my surprise when my doorbell rang around 9 pm one night, and when I opened my door, all I found was a goodie bag filled with treats and a sign that said "You've Been BOO-ed!"  

I've been what?

I quickly learned that this fun tradition was a popular activity throughout ...

Meringue Ghosts are fun and easy to make for Halloween. They are also good for people who can't eat flour! I tend to use vanilla extract but have considered trying another flavor this year.

Note: Requires electric hand mixer (or stand mixer) and parchment paper (buy near the tin-foil in supermarket)

Yield: about 18 ghosts

Ingredients:

• 2 egg whites, room temperature <-- This is important
• 1/8 tsp cream of tartar
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 tsp flavored extract (I use vanilla)
• semi-sweet chocolate chips (I've also ...

Several years ago we had a Halloween party and a friend brought these! They were a big hit, especially with the kids!

• Hot dogs
• Bisuit or crescent dough or
• Mustard and/or ketchup

Preheat oven to 375'. Roll out dough and pinch together any seams. Cut into strips about 1 inch wide. Wrap your dogs, turning them into mummies! Bake at 375' for 12 minutes. Add mustard or ketchup for the eyes and serve.


Macaroni Kid is your resource for things to do with kids and teens! Keep up with ...

These are cute and easy here is what you need:

• Pretzel bags – I got mine at Joanns in the cake baking section
• Black permanent marker
• Bag of mini marshmallows ( one bag made approx 10 ghosts )
• Some cute holiday ribbon

1. Draw 2 circles or ovals for the eyes and then down just below it draw a circle or oval for the mouth with black permanent marker.  
2. Open the bag and fill until you have about an inch and a half at the top left
3. Tie the ribbon on

There you ...

My daughter recently started to notice all the Halloween and Fall decorations on display at the grocery store and gas stations and... well pretty much everywhere we go so we couldn't put it off any longer; it's time to start decorating.

If you're anything like us, you may be wondering how to decorate on a budget so we've started digging out all the old containers and old craft supplies that I tend to put away and forget about until they're needed.

This is what we ...

We came up with this fun variation of a paper mache craft.  We also used colorful spiders; you can use any kind of spiders you want! 

what you need:

* balloon blown up (not with helium) to a size you're comfortable with

* yarn (enough to wrap around the balloon several times)

* flour

* water

* fake spiders

* glue (glue sticks work best because it's already sticky. just scrape some off for the spiders)

what you do:

* Mix together the flour and water to make a paste.  It should be a mix ...

Ghost feet! This is fun and easy. You can use as much or as little decorating as you want with these.

Materials:

• White paper
• Pencil or marker to trace
• Googly eyes (or black marker)
• Children's feet!
• glitter, crayons or anything for embellishing (optional)

Instructions:

1. Place white paper on floor.
2. Have your child stand still on paper while you trace one or both feet. 
3. Be sure to trace around the tops of the toes. 
4. Cut out feet
5. Have the child decorate with eyes, etc. 
6. Write your child's name and ...