Autumn’s Arrival: Unschooling, Chilly Days, and Halloween Anticipation
Autumn’s Arrival: Unschooling, Chilly Days, and Halloween Anticipation
It’s hard to believe that three weeks have flown by since the girls returned from their big London adventure. The Devon countryside has shifted from the warm embrace of late summer to the crisp, cool breath of early autumn. The leaves are turning golden, the mornings are getting chillier, and there’s a certain magic in the air that tells us Halloween is just around the corner.
Unschooling in Autumn: When Nature is the Best Classroom
Autumn is our favourite time of year for unschooling. The natural world becomes this incredible, hands-on classroom that beats anything you’d find in a textbook. The kids have been busy collecting leaves, acorns, and conkers, each one a little treasure that somehow ends up scattered all over the house. They insist that every conker is enchanted.
My eldest has been taking notes on the changes in the trees, claiming that each one has its own “seasonal spirit” that awakens when the weather turns cold. The 2 eldest have been dragging the rest of the gang up the lane almost daily, on what they’ve named “spirit walks.” The littlest, of course, is mostly interested in finding the biggest leaf possible, and seems determined to turn every stick into a wand.
We’ve also been focusing on seasonal crafts wreath-making with our finds, painting pinecones, and making little nature altars all around the house. It’s the perfect way to combine art, nature, and a little bit of magic. Plus, it keeps the kids busy, which is always a bonus.
The Chilly Days: Cosy Vibes and Creative Learning
As the days get cooler, our unschooling activities have started to shift indoors. We’ve embraced the change by turning our kitchen into a warm, bustling hub of activity. There’s been a lot of baking going on pumpkin muffins (which the kids really didn't like), apple pies, and the latest creation, “witchy bread,” which is basically just bread with a ton of herbs mixed in, but the kids swear it has “magical properties.” I’m not about to argue if it keeps them entertained and fed.
The 10 year old has started a “book of autumn spells,” where they write down all sorts of little rituals and spells they’ve come up with most of which involve lighting candles, saying a few words, and adding a dash of cinnamon to just about everything. The 8 year old on the other hand, has been busy making “potions” with whatever she can find in the pantry. Let’s just say we’re running low on vinegar and honey, and I’m fairly certain the kitchen will smell like a cauldron exploded for the foreseeable future.
The cooler weather has also meant more time for stories. We’ve been reading everything from classic fairy tales to spooky ghost stories, all snuggled up under blankets with mugs of hot chocolate. The toddler has taken to bringing her favourite stuffed animal, a slightly bedraggled owl he’s named “Hootie,” to every story session. It’s all very cosy, and honestly, it’s these moments that make unschooling feel like the best decision we’ve ever made.
Halloween on the Horizon: Excitement is in the Air
Of course, with autumn comes the excitement of Halloween, and the kids are already buzzing with anticipation. Plans are being made, costumes are being debated, and every day brings a new idea for decorations. The 10 year old has decided that this year’s theme should be “Enchanted Forest,” while the 8 year old is adamant that we need a “Haunted House”. They are just excited about the prospect of wearing costumes and getting as many sweets as possible.
We’ve started to prepare by gathering materials for homemade decorations. The kids have been busy crafting bats, ghosts, and spiders from whatever scraps they can find, and our little cottage is slowly transforming into a spooky wonderland. There’s talk of a big family ritual on Halloween night, complete with a bonfire, a feast, and maybe even a bit of ghost storytelling (the 10 year old is especially keen on that part).
As the days grow shorter and the nights longer, there’s a sense of magic in the air. The kids can feel it too there’s something about autumn that brings out the witchiness in all of us. We’re embracing the season, leaning into the cosy vibes, and preparing for the grand celebration of Halloween, where our little witchy family will come together to honour the past, celebrate the present, and welcome whatever the future holds.
So, here we are, on the cusp of Halloween, enjoying the beauty of autumn and the simple joys of unschooling in the countryside. The weather may be chilly, but our hearts are warm, filled with the excitement of what’s to come. It’s a time for magic, for learning, and for being together and that, as always, is what makes this life so wonderfully special.
The Unschooling Witchy Mum