We love Autumn... Halloween, fireworks, conkers and any excuse for a hot chocolate with marshmallows!

1. Go and kick leaves in Highfield Oval woods off Ambrose Lane, Rothamsted Park, Chute Wood in Dunstable Downs where the kids will discover outdoor instruments, or Wendover Woods and take in the breath-taking views on a crisp Autumn day.

2. Get the crayons out and try bark and leaf rubbing pictures in Heartwood Forest. 

3. Search for the largest conker along Leyton Road, on the common, Lydekker Park or Clarence Park (St Albans). Then of course traditionally you’d tie them on an old lace and battle it out for the winning conker!

4. Carve out Jack O’Lanterns in your pumpkins and do the same with oranges which can then be filled with jelly for that beheaded effect, and make broomsticks out of twiglets. Why not make it even more fun for the family and pick your own pumpkin at the Pop-up Farm.

5. Eat warm flapjacks. (100g demerera sugar, 100g golden syrup, 100g butter melted together and add 220g rolled oats. Pour into an ovenproof dish and bake for 20 minutes at 160^o.)

6. Put your Halloween decorations in the window or on the doorstep to welcome Trick or Treaters.

7. Bake goodies or go to the pound shop and give non-edible treats like cheap sparkly pencils or flashing bouncy balls.

8. If you’re the Trick or Treaters, ask the neighbours when they’ll be in and go with your friends.

9. To save your children from the sugar rush hold a Sweet Exchange afterwards - swap some of their sweets for money and let them spend it on pocket money treasures at your local toy shop... then quietly munch your way through the treats at your own midnight feast!

10. For dazzling fireworks head to one of our fantastic local displays!  Have a look at our events page for full details.

You can find more Autumnal ideas to get you out and about with the family in our Things to do section.

This article was originally published in 2017.