Autumn in New Jersey is a season of crisp air, golden foliage, and the promise of cozy togetherness. For parents seeking ways to slow down and savor the season, here are joyful fall traditions you can weave into your life — with a healthy, crunchy twist thanks to Crispy Fruit by Crispy Green.
Why Fall Traditions Matter in NJ
- The shorter days and cooler temperatures nudge us to gather indoors or venture out to scenic farms and parks in our own backyard.
- Kids grow fast — these annual rituals become the stories they carry into adulthood.
- Having a tasty, wholesome snack ready (hello, Crispy Fruit) helps keep energy high and snack-time stress low.
1. Apple & Pumpkin Picking at NJ Farms
Where to go in NJ:
- Johnson’s Corner Farm (Medford, NJ) — open from early September through October 31, offering pumpkins, gourds, apples, wagon rides, a corn maze, and a discovery barn.
- Von Thun Farms (South Brunswick & Washington, NJ) — fall festival weekends featuring apple & pumpkin picking, corn maze, hayrides, and 20+ attractions.
- Heaven Hill Farm (Vernon, NJ) — holds its Great Pumpkin Festival from mid-September through early November, with hayrides, farm animals, a corn maze, and more.
- Terhune Orchards (Princeton, NJ) — family fun weekends with pumpkin picking, painted pumpkins, corn mazes, pony rides, and a “discovery barn.”
- Fairfield Farms (Essex County) — right in northern NJ, with hayrides, a child-friendly corn maze, pumpkin picking, “Big Bale Mountain,” and rope maze.
Traditional idea: Turn your farm day into a “snack safari.” Pack snack-sized packs of Crispy Fruit to munch on between orchard rows. It’s lighter than heavy snacks, mess-friendly, and keeps the kids happy without sugary overload.
Try a sneak peek taste test—fresh apple slices vs. freeze-dried apple (Crispy Fruit)—and see whose favorite wins.
2. Leaf Walks, Nature Journals & Snack Breaks
Take advantage of NJ’s scenic trails — for instance, Watchung Reservation in Union County offers miles of winding forest paths perfect for leaf-peeping. Let each child collect a few leaves of different shapes or colors.
At a rest spot or picnic bench, break out Crispy Fruit. Use the snack moment as a chance for kids to describe leaf textures, colors, or shapes they observed. It turns an ordinary walk into a mini nature lesson + crunchy reward.
3. Fall Baking + Snack Pairing
Host a “Fall Baking Day” in your NJ kitchen — pumpkin muffins, spiced apples, or sweet potato fries. Let kids help with measuring, whisking, and decorating. While something bakes, set up a small “snack bar” of Crispy Fruit packs so kids can sample flavors (pear, mango, banana, etc.).
Because Crispy Fruit is made from 100% real fruit (freeze-dried, no added sugar), it’s a guilt-lighter contrast to heavy baked goods.
4. Cozy Game & Story Nights
When chilly evenings arrive, declare a weekly NJ Cozy Night. Choose fall or garden-state–themed books or stories (for example, seasonal tales or NJ nature stories). Pair with a warm drink (apple cider, hot cocoa) and a bowl of Crispy Fruit.
Since Crispy Fruit is shelf-stable and non-messy, it’s ideal for casual evenings of reading or board games without the anxiety of cleanup.
5. Leaf-Jump Piles & Backyard Play
If you have a yard or nearby park, rake a leaf pile and let kids jump in. (Yes, we adults should too.) After the leaf-tossing, offer Crispy Fruit as a crunchy “cool-down snack.” It’s fun, healthy, and fits right into the fall energy.
6. Gratitude Harvest Jar
Each evening, have everyone share something from the day they’re grateful for. Write it on a leaf-shaped slip of paper and drop it into a jar or pin it to a “gratitude wreath.”
Once a week (say Sunday evening), pull them out and read aloud. Make the moment extra — pass around Crispy Fruit packs and call it your “Thank-You Crunch.”
7. NJ Movie Marathon with a Seasonal Snack Board
Pick a lineup of family-friendly fall films or local NJ nature documentaries (think: the changing seasons, local wildlife). Arrange a “snack board” with popcorn, apple slices, nuts, and assorted Crispy Fruit.
Let kids mix textures—freeze-dried mango with popcorn, or pear with nuts. Because Crispy Fruit comes in single-serve packs, it’s easy to portion and share.