GRAMMY ON THE GO
Autumn Adventures
By Karen Shadrach
There is a special kind of
magic in autumn — the crunch of leaves underfoot, the golden sun slanting through amber trees, and the laughter of children echoing through the woods.
For grandparents, it’s the perfect time to slow down and share a slice of nature and nostalgia with the younger generation. What better way to do that than a hike through the fall foliage, followed by hands-on fun with leaf crafts?
Woodland Romps
Fall is perfect for hiking with grandkids. Cooler temperatures make the exertion more comfortable, and the changing leaves offer a vibrant, educational and fun backdrop. The less-crowded trails create a quieter, more intimate environment. Hiking with your grandkids doesn’t require scaling mountains. A walk through a local trail, a state park or a tree-lined neighborhood can spark just as much wonder.
Look for trails that are rated as easy to moderate in difficulty, are short (1-3 miles, depending on age), and have points of interest like a creek, waterfall or big rocks.
Keep the hike light and child-focused. Let them set the pace. Encourage curiosity by asking questions about what they see, hear or smell. Turn it into a treasure hunt: How many different leaf shapes can they find? Can they spot something red, orange or yellow? Bring a small basket or paper bag for collecting fallen leaves.
Before your hike, consider laminating a simple leaf ID sheet or downloading and using a free app like Seek by iNaturalist to identify leaves on the go; it turns the hike into an adventure and a learning opportunity.
As you meander along the path, encourage your grandkids to gather a few colorful, freshly fallen leaves — ones that aren’t too brittle. Look for a mix of shapes and sizes: maple, oak, birch and elm are excellent choices. In addition to collecting leaves for later crafts, try a nature scavenger hunt, where the kids find assorted colors or specific leaves, acorns and pine cones.
Teach grandkids basic trail etiquette and how to respect nature: Leave animals alone, stay on trails, don’t litter. Share stories from your childhood hikes or make up a story about the forest as you walk. Pause to enjoy quiet moments together, watching leaves fall and listening to birds.
Get Going
If you are planning an easy-to-moderate hike that is especially kid-friendly this fall, here are top picks within Cuyahoga National Park that combine scenic beauty, manageable terrain, and fun exploration:
Brandywine Falls (Boardwalk and Gorge Trail) is awesome, with a highly accessible waterfall. Boardwalks and viewing platforms make it safe for kids and the fall colors offer exceptional views. The Boardwalk loop is less than a mile; the longer Gorge Trail is about 1.5 miles with some elevation gain.
Ledges Trail will keep the kids fascinated with the moss-covered sandstone formations, narrow passages, rock scrambling and a sweeping overlook. It’s a 2.2-mile loop and moderate difficulty.
The Tree Farm Trail has gently rolling terrain, a peaceful pond and wide trails through a former tree farm. The 2.75-mile loop is easy and family-friendly, with restroom and picnic facilities at the trailhead.
Station Road Bridge is a level, easy walk with gentle terrain. A one-mile scenic section features a historic covered bridge, river, canal and views of bald eagles and heron nesting sites.
When hiking with your grandchildren, remember to pack smart. Take along water and healthy snacks like apple slices and granola bars to keep their energy high. Pack a small first aid kit and binoculars or a magnifying glass for exploring. Dress in bright colors, so they are easy to spot, and wear comfortable hiking shoes or boots.
After your hike, here are a few easy and fun leaf crafts that kids and grandparents can enjoy together:
Leaf Rubbing Art – Place leaves under a sheet of white paper. Using crayons or colored pencils, rub gently over the top to reveal the texture and patterns. This makes a terrific opportunity to talk about leaf veins and tree types.
Leaf Collage – Glue leaves onto construction paper to create animals, faces or abstract patterns. Add googly eyes, glitter or paint for flair, and use markers for additional details. Frame the finished pieces as seasonal wall art or turn them into greeting cards.
Gratitude Garland – String together leaves using a hole punch and twine or attach leaves to a string using mini clothespins. On each leaf, write something you’re thankful for. Hang it across the mantel or along a window for a beautiful reminder of the season’s blessings.
Leaf Suncatchers – Press leaves between two sheets of wax paper and iron them on low heat (with a towel between the iron and the paper) or place between two sheets of contact paper. Cut into shapes such as hearts and circles and hang them in a sunny window. The light filtering through creates a stained-glass effect.
Your hiking day wasn’t about distance or checking off trails. It was about the connection between generations, with nature, and with the kind of simple joy that only a forest in fall can bring.
No screens, no rush, just a few hours of pure, golden time. You’re not just collecting leaves, you’re collecting laughter, wonder and moments they’ll carry into their future adventures. So, lace up your walking shoes and hit the trail. Autumn’s calling; it’s the perfect season to walk hand-in-hand with your grandkids.
