The big (free) 3 on our September bucket list

Ah, September. Even though it’s still 90 degrees outside, you bring with the turn of the calendar the promise of fall. For our family, September signifies birthdays, the start of fall sports seasons and football at our alma mater (Go Pokes!). With all three kids in various sports for the first time ever, we’re clumsily figuring out how to navigate school, homework, practices and games. And of course sprinkling in family fun to enjoy our favorite season. Though I’m usually one to add ALL the fall activities to our September calendar, I’m reigning myself in a bit this year and keeping our family’s bucket list for the month short and sweet, focused on free fun:

1. Tailgating time. While we love attending OSU football games when we can, we often head to Stillwater on game days to enjoy all the free fun, without even stepping foot in the stadium. Whether you cheer for orange, blue or crimson, MetroFamily’s new Tailgating Guide details the best free family fun, iconic eats, game day shopping, family attractions and cost-effective parking in Stillwater, Norman and Edmond. College game days with kids can be overwhelming but making a plan ahead of time allows us to relax, enjoy the fun and spend within our budget.
2. Musical swings in Bicentennial Park. Have you seen this interactive art installation coming to the metro Sept. 20?! I may be even more excited about this than my kids. Ten swings each play a different musical note and when used together create a melody. The free swings will be in Bicentennial Park through Oct. 13, open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
3. Scissortail Park’s grand opening. The much-anticipated city park will open with great fanfare the last weekend of the month. Friday evening features a free Kings of Leon concert and fireworks show, Saturday’s KidZone on the lawn includes face painting, crafts, music and performances and Sunday will offer food trucks and live local music. We may spend Sept. 27, 28 and 29 downtown! I’m especially looking forward to checking out the colorful and creative kids playground and the outdoor roller rink. The fall months will be packed with more family fun, including yoga, story times, STEM programming and movie nights.

As a mama who likes to get out to see and do as much as possible, I often have to remind myself there’s plenty of low-key fall fun to be found in my own back yard. When we’re not on the go this month, we’ll be spending time outside “gathering nature” as my youngest son says, making s’mores (No. 1 on my kids’ September bucket list!) and reading together.

Plan your family’s must-do September fun with MetroFamily’s fall round up. Have an idea we should add to our family’s September bucket list? E-mail me at erin@metrofamilymagazine.com.