This weekend marks the official first days of fall! It’s time to start thinking about breaking out the sweaters and putting away the flip flops. Many of us enjoy the festivities that fall has to offer, such as apple picking, going to the pumpkin patch, Halloween parties and eventually Thanksgiving preparations will be here before we know it.

For our home bound patients a trip to the orchard may not be an option this year, but there are plenty of other fun fall themed things to do around the house.

The following is a collection of simple and fun activities from around the web that you can look forward to this fall and put a little excitement back into the season. Grab a friend, grandchild, or maybe even your Rhode Island home care caregiver from MAS Home Care to join you.

• Crafts. Crafting can be a relaxing alone time to use those creative juices or a fun time to spend with a child.

Idea: Make an autumn wreath out of a wreath base, floral wire, and leaves. Tie the leaves in circles around the base. You might even like to add berry branches or acorns as accents.

Idea: To make fall-themed stationary with apples, cut one in half. Brush the cut side with white acrylic paint and add a line of darker paint around the edges. Stamp on paper or card stock.

• Fall Cooking. There are plenty of foods that are associated with fall and a never ending list of recipes to be found in cookbooks or online. Apples, pumpkins, cinnamon, and maple are favorite fall flavors.

Idea: Make some “acorn dough nuts” with donut holes, chocolate frosting and crumbled toffee. A pretzel stick on top serves as the stem.

• The Great Outdoors. You may not be able to take a hike through the woods, but there are still things you could do outside. With the temperatures cooling down it can be very enjoyable to sit outside and look at the changing colors of the leaves or maybe even do some gardening. Plant some mums in a pot or get those bulbs ready for next spring.

• Give to Others. This time of year we begin to think about others that are less fortunate. Plan a list for your caregiver to take to the grocery store and upon his/her return put together a food basket for family in need or your local shelter or food bank.

Doing one or more of these activities can be a fulfilling experience of time well spent together. Who knows, maybe you might even develop a new fall tradition that you will enjoy next year as well.