There is something special about fall in Colorado—cooler mornings, changing leaves, pumpkin patches and the first hint that the holidays are around the corner.

But some of the childhood memories that stick with us aren't the elaborate outings.

They're the simple traditions children ask to do again and again.

At The Summit Academy, we believe childhood should be filled with opportunities to explore, get messy, spend time outside and experience the world alongside the people they love.

So we asked ourselves: If we could give families a short list of things to do with their little ones this fall, what would make the cut?

Here are 10 simple fall traditions for families with toddlers and preschoolers in Lakewood, Denver and around the Colorado Front Range.

1. Go on a Fall Color Hunt 🍂

You don't need to drive hours into the mountains to experience Colorado's changing seasons.

Head outside and challenge your child to find a red leaf, a yellow leaf, a pinecone, an acorn or the biggest leaf they can find.

For Lakewood families, Bear Creek Lake Park is an especially good place to turn a simple walk into an outdoor adventure. The park offers trails, wildlife and nature-focused educational opportunities throughout the year.

The Summit idea: Bring a small paper bag and let your child collect a few treasures. When you get home, use them to create a fall collage.

2. Visit a Pumpkin Patch 🎃

Let your child choose the pumpkin.

Not the prettiest pumpkin.

Not the roundest pumpkin.

Their pumpkin.

For a toddler, wandering among pumpkins, touching different textures and trying to lift one that's approximately their own body weight can be half the fun.

Make an afternoon of it and take plenty of pictures—but remember that the experience matters more than getting the perfect fall photo.

3. Jump in a Giant Pile of Leaves

This one requires almost no planning.

Rake them.

Pile them.

Jump.

Repeat.

Young children learn through their senses and their bodies. Something as simple as running through crunchy leaves gives them opportunities for movement, exploration and imaginative play.

And yes, you'll probably have to rake them again.

Worth it.

4. Take a Little-Legs Nature Walk 🥾

A hike with a three-year-old doesn't need to cover three miles.

Sometimes 30 minutes outside—with plenty of stopping—is exactly right.

Let them lead occasionally. Stop for rocks. Examine bugs. Listen for birds. Look at tree bark. Ask what they notice.

Lakewood families have an incredible outdoor classroom practically in their backyard at Bear Creek Lake Park, where environmental education and stewardship are part of the park's mission.

Denver families can also explore their neighborhood parks and trails; Denver Parks & Recreation maintains a calendar of activities and opportunities throughout the city's park system.

The destination isn't really the point.

Exploring together is.

5. Bake Something That Makes the House Smell Like Fall 🍎

Apple muffins.

Pumpkin bread.

Cinnamon rolls.

Apple crisp.

Let your little one help—even when “helping” takes considerably longer.

Pouring, scooping, stirring and measuring aren't just fun. They're opportunities to practice coordination, following directions, early math concepts and independence.

And at the end?

You get something delicious.

6. Have a Fall Picnic

Pack sandwiches, fruit, a blanket and something warm to drink.

That's it.

Head to a favorite Lakewood or Denver park and let your child run around afterward.

Children don't need every family activity to be an attraction or ticketed event. Sometimes changing where you eat lunch is enough to make an ordinary Saturday feel special.

7. Experience a Local Fall Tradition

One of the things we love about raising children in Colorado is how many community traditions happen right around us.

Lakewood's Cider Days at Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park, for example, has historically included family activities, demonstrations, entertainment and—you guessed it—plenty of cider. Lakewood lists Cider Days among its community programming, so check the city's current event information before planning your visit.

Choose one local event each year and make it your family's thing.

That's how traditions begin.

8. Make a “Thankful Tree” 🌳

As fall moves toward Thanksgiving, find a branch outside and place it in a vase.

Cut out simple paper leaves.

Every few days, ask:

“What's something that made you happy today?”

Write the answer on a leaf and add it to the tree.

For younger children, gratitude doesn't need to be complicated.

Mommy.

My dog.

Mac and cheese.

Ms. Jocelyn.

The really big truck.

Those answers are pretty perfect.

9. Let Them Choose a Fall Adventure

Give your child two or three choices:

Nature walk or playground?

Pumpkin patch or baking?

Leaf hunt or picnic?

Young children have very little control over their daily schedules. Giving them simple, age-appropriate choices helps encourage independence—and makes the adventure feel like theirs.

You may also discover what actually feels magical to them.

It isn't always what adults expect.

10. Take the Same Fall Photo Every Year 📸

Choose a favorite tree, park bench, front porch or neighborhood spot.

Take one picture there every fall.

Same place.

Same child.

One year apart.

You probably won't realize how special those photos are during year one.

Give it a few years.

The Best Fall Tradition? Being Together.

Our children won't remember whether every weekend was perfectly planned.

They'll remember pieces of it.

Crunching through leaves.

Choosing the weird pumpkin.

Helping stir the batter.

Running down a trail.

Sitting on Dad's shoulders.

Laughing when everyone jumped into the leaves.

Those ordinary little moments are childhood.

And they're worth making time for.

From Our Summit Family to Yours

At The Summit Academy, we believe children learn best through relationships, exploration, play and meaningful experiences with the world around them.

You'll see that philosophy throughout our infant, toddler, preschool and Pre-K programs at our Lakewood and Denver early learning centers. Because the little years aren't something to rush through.

They're something to experience.

Looking for childcare, infant care, preschool or Pre-K in Lakewood or Denver, Colorado? Come experience The Summit Academy, meet our teachers and see what makes our approach different.