Oklahoma City family fun is here with the changing seasons.
Fall boasts the perfect weather for outdoor family fun. I'm sad to say goodbye to summer, with its fun in the sun and ice cream cones, but there's plenty to look forward to already, with new activities headed our way.
This summer's bucket list took us all over Oklahoma City.
We ended our favorite season with a 5K, a Ferris wheel ride and a quiet Labor Day to reflect on it all.
The season of scarves, boots and all things pumpkin spice is just getting started and we're ready for it.
From local events to happy times at home, here's what we're looking forward to this autumn, our own list of eight can't-miss fall activities
- Baking: I love "The Great British Baking Show" on PBS and thought it'd be a great idea to try out some carrot pumpkin cupcakes this past weekend. By "great" I mean "easy," as it was a boxed mix, a fr involved eight cubes of butter. Well, the end result reminded me that piped frosting is more complicated than it looks and that waiting for something to cool is necessary. I'd like to try again and get a result that I'm proud to include in my sons' lunchboxes. Cobblers, pies, muffins: it's a terrific season to turn on the oven.
- Slow-cooker meals: My slow-cooker has been tucked away since the beginning of summer. It's time to shop for staples and make chickpeas, lentils, potato soup, corn on the cob and barbecue ribs.
- Halloween decorations: We were selling our home at this time last year and the stager didn't exactly recommend cobwebs, string lights or ghoulish décor to entice potential buyers. This year, we can decorate the new house and let black and orange have their moment here. I started last week; that's how excited we are to be in our own space for the holidays. Halloween costumes are also on my children's radar already, they'll probably change their minds a few times between now and the actual purchase date but if today's choices were their final votes, we'd have a Harry Potter, an Optimus Prime and an oatmeal-colored teddy bear.
Pumpkin patches: We look forward to choosing the perfect pumpkin each year. Carving jack o'lanterns is something we can adjust for every skill level here. At ages 9, 4 and 20 months, carving the pumpkin, drawing a design or just scooping and squishing the pumpkin seeds makes it an activity for everyone. This year, I'd like to find a local pumpkin patch with MetroFamily's list and go choose one for a fun day outdoors. - Thanksgiving prep: We're going to do a gratitude tree this year, since I finally own a dining room table where it can be displayed. Instead of just holding hands around the table and thinking of what we're thankful for, we'll write down those thoughts on its leaves all fall. Isaac's answer at last year's dinner was "Trees. I'm thankful for trees," so I think it's a good fit, besides just looking seasonally appropriate.
- Visiting the Harn Homestead: I've heard so much about it but we've never been. Sam's fourth grade class at St. Mary's Episcopal School is taking a field trip there tomorrow and I'll be going along to find out about Haunt the Harn, which sounds like the ultimate trick-or-treating experience.
- Paintball: Fall weather is ideal to get out and move. Paintball isn't usually in the list of traditional fall activities like hayrides and trunk-or-treats but maybe it should be. We're going to give it a try at Battle Park later this month.
- Going to the Sam Noble Museum: Each fall, we visit with our troupe of little boys who are, in turn, fascinated by dinosaurs. Isaac's response to "What do you want to be when you grow up?" is carefully enunciated: "A paleontologist." So we go and enjoy the day. An exhibit called "Mystery of the Mayan Medallion" is what my husband and I are really looking forward to, as we both studied pre-Colombian history. It should be a good time for everyone.
Pumpkin patches: We look forward to 
Visiting the If you're looking for family activities this fall, visit MetroFamily's website and find our fall guides.
Our editors work diligently all summer to cultivate these fall lists. Local events, fall festivals, Halloween happenings: they gather it all, plentiful as a fall harvest. You won't be disappointed.
Happy fall!
