Fall
Engage together by volunteering. It doesn’t cost your family anything but time to volunteer, and those minutes make a world of difference to nonprofit organizations that are usually working to impact change with limited staff and resources. Whether you’re helping pack food, sorting donations, cleaning, hiding books for kids to discover at a local park or something else entirely, your family can feel good and have fun! Chat with your kids about causes they are passionate about and check out our comprehensive guide of volunteer opportunities for families to find ways to get involved in our community. There are dozens of opportunities for a variety of interests at metrofamilymagazine.com/volunteer . Other fall fun freebies you can’t-miss: • Magic Lantern Festival in the Paseo Arts District • Fall Y’all Family Fun at the Oklahoma Hall of Fame • National Weather Festival at the National Weather Center LEFT: FIND A DOWNLOADABLE STAR CHART AT SCIENCEMUSEUMOK.ORG/TONIGHTS-SKY. ABOVE: VOLUNTEERS CAN HELP SORT, PACK AND PREPARE FOOD FOR A VARIETY OF REGIONAL FOOD BANK PROGRAMS.
Lift your eyes to the skies Whether in your own backyard or at a more remote location, take advantage of earlier sunsets to explore the stars. Spread out a blanket and look for satellites, planets and constellations (real ones or ones you make up on your own! Think cloud shapes but set in the stars). Some dates to remember: The Draconids Meteor Shower returns in early October 2021, and the peak coincides with a nearly new moon, which should provide excellent viewing. On Nov. 19, a partial lunar eclipse is expected to be visible in North America. Some of the best stargazing spots in Oklahoma are Roman Nose State Park, Ouachita National Forest and Black Mesa State Park, but any remote spot away from light pollution will enhance your experience. Free apps such as Night Sky or Star Walk can help novice astronomers identify objects in the night sky. Explore the change of seasons on a fall nature hike Cooler temperatures are nature’s invitation to hunt for colorful leaves and other signs autumn has arrived. Load up a daypack with nutritious snacks, binoculars and water and embark on a nature exploration. Animals will be readying for winter, birds and monarch butterflies will be zipping their way south and plants will be shedding their lush green in preparation for the colder days ahead. Altogether, it’s quite a show. The peak of fall foliage season typically arrives
in early November; however, the Oklahoma Department of Tourism, TravelOK.com , keeps a close eye on the fall color forecast at our state’s most popular spots. But you don’t have to travel far to see the change! Close-to-home hiking options include: • Martin Park Nature Center (5000 W Memorial Rd) • George M. Sutton Wilderness Park (1920 12th Ave NE, Norman) • Bluff Creek Park (11301 N Meridian Ave) • Mitch Park (1501 W Covell Rd, Edmond)
WINGED SUMAC FALL COLORS. PHOTO BY STACY NOAKES.
METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / EVERYTHING GUIDE 2021-2022 9
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