Fall Season Fun for Seniors: Ways to Stay Active as Temperatures Cool

One of the great things about living in Minnesota is the ability to enjoy each season to its fullest. With the warm summer behind us, we’re slowly entering the cooler temperatures of fall. And in our Southview Senior Communities, we’re focused on ways for residents to have fun and stay active, both indoors and out. Take advantage of the beauty of the fall season with these activities.

Outdoor Fall Activities

With its rain and often brisk temperatures, fall weather can be unpredictable—and energizing. A cool morning can lead to a comfortable afternoon in a matter of hours. So, grab a jacket and enjoy some of these outdoor activities.

Take in the colors. Is there a prettier season than fall? The changing leaves sprinkle breathtakingly vibrant yellows, oranges, and reds throughout our communities. Take a walk to a favorite park or a hike on a new trail and soak in all the beautiful scenery. Bring a camera or use your phone to capture photos of the colors.

Our communities also take residents on scenic driving tours to enjoy the fall colors of local tree-lined boulevards and waterfronts.

Visit an apple orchard or pumpkin patch. These classic fall-season destinations are one-stop shops for outdoor engagement and fun. From picking apples straight from the tree or selecting that perfect gourd, apple orchard and pumpkin patch visitors enjoy light exercise and a little something to take home (and, perhaps, bake into a pie).

Many apple orchards and pumpkin patches provide activities like corn mazes, hayrides, and petting zoos. Oftentimes, they also have onsite cafes, where you can enjoy fresh cider, a slice of apple or pumpkin pie, and other tasty treats.

Explore the MN Landscape Arboretum. This 1,200-acre garden and horticulture center offers year-round events and activities. It’s a great place to explore hiking trails, a Sensory Garden, and seasonal displays. This fall, visitors are invited to participate in Arboretum highlights like the Scarecrows, Pumpkins & Harvest Fun as well as Full Moon Hikes.

Stop and shop at the AppleHouse, where you can enjoy coffee, cider, and fresh doughnuts as well as all kinds of apples and seasonal products.

Indoor Fall Activities

When the fall weather outside is too chilly, wet, or windy, indoor activities are the way to go. Spend a day inside with a good book, a new craft, or a favorite fall recipe. There are so many ways to celebrate the season from the climate-controlled comfort of home.

Cozy up with a fall-themed book. From thrilling mysteries and Halloween stories to rainy-day romances and more, there’s no shortage of seasonal page-turners to feed your mind on a dreary fall day. Our on-campus libraries offer a wide selection of titles, or you can borrow a book from a neighbor. You can also join a community book club to discuss great reads with others.

Get crafty with fall decorations. Make your home or community a little more festive this fall by making a fall wreath. Collect and include bright-colored real or fake leaves and embellishments like pinecones, acorns, and flowers. Many of our crafting activities feature seasonal art for decorating residents’ apartments and doors as well as our windows and hallways.

Did you bring home pumpkins from your local pumpkin patch? Painting or carving them is another crafty way to welcome fall and stay active. Get together with friends and have a carving or painting contest. We often host seasonal arts and crafts activities like this throughout all our Southview locations.

Make and bake a sweet seasonal snack. Pumpkin spice and apple cinnamon go hand in hand with the fall season. Warm up on a chilly day and satisfy your sweet tooth by making apple crisp, pumpkin bars, or apple or pumpkin pie. Maybe bake and frost sugar cookies for Halloween or create Rice Krispies® treats in fun, festive shapes.

Stay Active This Fall at Southview

Whether indoors or out, there are plenty of ways for seniors to stay active as temperatures cool this fall. We hope this list will get you started and help you enjoy everything the season has to offer, from the vibrant colors and crisp air outside to cozy activities inside.

The social and event calendars in our Southview Senior Communities are always packed with a variety of fun and creative activities for all interests and abilities. Learn more by scheduling a tour at the location nearest you.