Without a doubt autumn has to be the absolute best time of year, the leaves are changing colour, the weather is getting colder, and the woolly sweaters and hats are out in full force. Now that the long summer nights have gone and the evenings are starting to draw in, you’re probably thinking of new things to do to fill your spare time, well we have the ultimate autumnal activities all planned out for you!
1. Host a movie marathon
Photo by David Gomes
Now the nights are longer, this is the perfect excuse to binge on a movie or series and eat all the snacks. You could even set a theme for the night, like only watching movies you’ve never seen before or watching a movie that reminds you of your childhood. With Netflix and other streaming services, it’s super easy to find loads of new and exciting things to watch. But don’t worry if you don’t have any of these, there are tons of free movie streaming websites and TV channels, including Channel 4 Films, BBC iPlayer Films, My5 Films and plenty more.
2. Cosy up with a book & hot chocolate
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We all know what it’s like, we love to read but never seem to find the time to actually do it! But fear not because autumn is the most perfect time to read and we're going to prepare you for the cosiest reading setup ever.
Firstly, grab the biggest mug you own, put the kettle on and let’s make a hot chocolate.
What you’ll need:
- Milk (or non-dairy alternative)
- 3 tsps Cocoa powder
- 1-2 tsps Brown sugar
- Nutella
- Squirty cream
- Marshmallows
- Chocolate
Method
- Heat the milk, cocoa powder and brown sugar in a small pan over a medium heat until steaming. Use a whisk to combine the mixture together.
- Carefully pour the mixture into a mug. Grab a teaspoon of Nutella and slowly mix it into the hot chocolate mixture.
- Now it’s time to add the squirty cream and decorate with marshmallows and chocolate.
- If you’re feeling a little bit extra, why not add sprinkles too?
Now you have the finest hot chocolate in hand, it’s time to choose a book. You could try a book you’ve always wanted to read or maybe a book that’s been gathering dust on your shelf and is crying out to be read! Or if you don’t have any books in mind, why not waltz down to your local charity shop and pick up a book there, this is an added bonus as the money will go towards a good cause. If money is particularly tight, you could sign up to a local library or some communities offer a local book swap.
Okay, hot chocolate and book sorted, now what? Get in your snuggest and warmest sweater, grab a fluffy blanket or duvet, find a comfortable spot on the sofa with a little bit of lighting and hey presto you are ready for the cosiest of autumn reading! If you want to go that one step further, grab a hot water bottle, fill it up and enjoy. You can thank us later!
3. Start a new hobby
Have you ever been scrolling through Instagram and seen something really cool and thought, I’d love to do that. Well, autumn is the greatest time to try a new hobby out, as the nights are getting longer and we tend to spend a little more time indoors.
We have a few suggestions of things you could try:
- Pumpkin carving & painting
- Autumnal wreath making
- Crochet or embroidery kit
- Making a chunky knit blanket
- Candle making
- Pumpkin window display
Last year we painted a pumpkin pink and stuck cute pink heart stickers all over, it was a massive hit and you guys loved it!
4. Go on an autumnal walk
If you’re the type of person who likes to get outdoors or enjoy the beautiful colours of the changing trees, then autumn is the best time of year to do it.
So, where are the top places to walk? If you don’t feel like venturing far you could always check out your local park, or if you’d like to go further afield you could visit the National Trust website for walks near you. You can find all levels of walks from beginner to hard and you know if it’s a National Trust walk it’s going to be a beautiful one.
5. Autumnal inspired baking
Photo by Leeloo Thefirst
We all love a good bake, not just because it’s fun, but because you get to eat something delicious at the end of it, even if it looks like a total mess! Autumn is the time to embrace the pumpkin and cinnamon flavours and tuck into some comforting baked treats.
Here are a few of our favourite autumnal bakes for you to try:
- Cinnamon rolls
- Pumpkin spice cupcakes
- Carrot cake
- Apple crumble (with ice cream)
- Gingerbread
- Sticky toffee pudding
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We hope you have found some activities to enjoy this autumn, whether that’s reading a new book with the greatest hot chocolate or exploring a new hobby that you never knew existed. Let us know what you get up to, we’d love to hear from you!