By Michelle Smith Howard, President & CEO of Kids’ First Years
Alexandria, VA – October in Alexandria means pumpkins and sweaters and crunchy leaves and did we mention pumpkins? Kids’ First Years and its partner organizations encourage families to embrace the many opportunities for bonding over shared experiences that create treasured memories of fun times together.
Pumpkin Pickin’
Is anything cuter than watching a toddler proudly carrying a pumpkin that they handpicked for carving into a jack o’lantern? Below are two popular destinations for an October outing with your little one.
Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill, 3606 Seminary Rd., Alexandria
Website for details and hours: Immanuel-on-the-hill.org
The church will host its 33rd annual Pumpkin Patch through the month of October. It will be open noon-6 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on weekends. In addition to selecting the perfect pumpkin, visitors can shop for homemade soups, baked goods, and knitwear. The pumpkins are sustainably grown on a Navajo Indian Reservation in New Mexico, supporting jobs on the reservation. Proceeds support local, national and international charities that care for the most vulnerable neighbors.
Nalls Produce, 7310 Beulah St., Alexandria
Website for details and hours: nallsproduce.com
An outing to Pumpkin Hill at Nalls Produce is an excursion your little one will love. There’s a Kids Play Area with a pumpkin fort and a straw play area; be sure to take a photo at the Nalls Pumpkin Wall. Boo-tiful pumpkins of all shapes, sizes, and colors await, and you can enjoy apple cider and seasonal snacks on the weekends. Pumpkin Hill will be open through Halloween, daily 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Easy Fall Recipes for Little Helpers
- Cheesy Spiders – Unwrap a wedge of creamy cheese such as Laughing Cow. Have your child push 4 pretzel sticks into each side of the wedge and press two raisins into the top for eyes. They’ll squeal with delight at this cute snack.
- Colorful Cookies – Make your favorite batch of sugar cookies or buy a roll of slice-and-bake sugar cookies at the grocery store. Let your child decorate the cookies with orange sugar sprinkles or with fall-themed chocolate candies such as M&M’s. Yum!
- Juicy Pumpkins – Peel a small seedless orange such as a Clementine. If your child can assist with peeling, all the better! Have your child place a small chunk of celery on the top of the peeled orange to instantly create a sweet-yet-healthy treat that’s fun to eat.
Fall Activities at the Library
The Alexandria Library System offers a host of interactive programs designed especially for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Some examples include:
- Preschool Storytime
- 1s and 2s Time
- Baby Bounce
- Baby & Toddler Time
- Just Babies
Story time is a great way for children to meet new friends, discover the library, and learn the fundamentals and social skills necessary for starting kindergarten. Visit alexlibraryva.org/kids to see the full October schedule of events that are sure to inspire a lifelong love of reading for your child.
Children’s Books about Autumn
Crisp fall weather calls for cuddling up together and reading a picture book or a board book about this special season. Check out these titles among many others to engage your child in the many delights offered during autumn:
- “Apples and Pumpkins” by Anne Rockwell
- “What is Fall?” (board book) by Genie Espinosa
- “Ready for Pumpkins” by Kate Duke
- “How Big Could Your Pumpkin Grow?” by Wendell Minor
- “Pumpkin Jack” by Will Hubbell
- “Ducking for Apples” by Lynne Berry
- “The Little Scarecrow Boy” by Margaret Wise Brown
Petting Zoos
Although there are no petting zoos in the City of Alexandria, several are located within easy driving distance for a day trip featuring a menagerie of animals along with play areas for outdoor exercise.
Leesburg Animal Park, 19246 James Monroe Hwy., Leesburg
Website for fees, hours and details: leesburganimalpark.com
Kids can pet and feed farm animals like goats, sheep, llamas, and pigs. They also can take a pony ride and observe more exotic animals like zebras and camels. There’s a toddler play area inside that’s open year-round.
Frying Pan Farm Park, 2709 West Ox Rd., Herndon
Website for fees, hours and details: fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/frying-pan-park
This park that preserves and interprets farm life of the 1920s to 1950s has a playground with slides and a climbing apparatus that provide a great time for kids. October events include a Farm Harvest Fest and Carnival and special Halloween activities. Visit the website for details.
