The History

If you’ve read any portion of Leviticus, then you may remember reading about something called appointed times. These are known as specific times that the Hebrew people were commanded to observe for a particular reason.

Each one mentioned had a meaning then and foreshadowed things to come. Anyone who celebrates these in the present day usually understands that although we cannot do it perfectly, we do it because:

1. It was commanded to be observed throughout our generations.
2. It is practice for what is to come.
3. It glorifies the Father.

Before you get confused on what this means for the believer in Messiah today, let me address a common misconception. When it comes to observing the biblical feasts (fall or spring), it should be noted that they aren’t “Jewish feasts.” Instead, the proper context is to consider them the Lord’s feast given to His people, both those apart of natural Israel, and those grafted in.

With that in mind, let’s look at each of the fall feasts as well as practical ways to observe them with your family this fall – and beyond!

Yom Teruah

Scripture says in Leviticus 23:24-25 “Speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘In the seventh new moon, on the first day of the new moon, you have a rest, a remembrance of Teruah, a set-apart gathering. You do no servile work, and you shall bring an offering made by fire to YHVH.” I won’t get into why we don’t do sacrifices today, but I will say that we still observe this day by not working and gathering with others (if able).

Teruah literally means soundings, by instrument or human voice so you can imagine how fun (and loud) this Holy Day can be.

Below are some great resources to help teach about and observe this feast day:

• Use coloring and activity pages by Bible Pathway Adventures (our favorite)
• Help your kiddos make their own shofars with this easy DIY craft
• Here is a Yom Teruah BINGO game by The Kefar
• MTOI has some great resources called Parsha Pearls that are perfect for this feast

Yom Kippur

Scripture says in Leviticus 23:27 “On the tenth day of this seventh new moon is Yom HaKippurim. It shall be a set-apart gathering for you. And you shall afflict your beings, and shall bring an offering made by fire to YHVH.” This passage also goes on to describe how to set this day apart: no work. There are also various ways people have attempted to describe “afflict your beings” but we choose to use this day to fast from food and reflect on teshuva (repentance).

Yom HaKippurim means Day of Atonement or Day of the Coverings so spending this day in total reflection and observation of how one can follow YHVH’s instructions is a day well spent.

Below are some practical resources to help teach about and observe this feast day:

• Use these free Atonement activity pages by Bible Pathway Adventures (did we already say they’re our fave)
• This is a neat song that my kiddos love that relates the story of Jonah to Yom Kippur
• Enjoy this lapbook by Anna Matrix

Festival of Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles)

In Leviticus 23:34-44 we read about the Festival of Sukkot being observed on the fifteenth day of the seventh new moon and celebrated for seven days. This passage also sheds more light on the how-to: first day is a set-apart gathering with no work, last day is a set-apart gathering with no work, and dwell in booths (tents) for the seven days.

Some people have the amazing privilege to be off work the entire week and camp out with like-minded believers. Our first year of observing this we camped out at a lake and had an amazing time with our little family (just 5 of us at the time).

Below are some resources to help teach about and observe this feast day:

• Don’t forget your activity pages by Bible Pathway Adventures
• Bim Bam has a pretty cool video
• From the edible Sukkah to the real deal and decorations, there are lots of activities for kids here

Don’t Forget the Food

One thing that is well-known with Feast Day celebrations is the FEAST! Cooking big meals is common and expected. The few times we have had the privilege of observing feast days with others, none of them lacked in food.

Check out this YouTube playlist of clean eating recipes for feast days and beyond!

Now that you’ve gotten a run down of three celebrations to consider this fall, we’d like to hear from you! What are some celebrations you and your family do during the fall season? Share in the comments below!

Author, Speaker, and Curriculum Resource Creator Michelle Huddleston is first and foremost a child of the Most High, wife to an incredibly patient husband, and homeschooling mama to four blessings (and another on the way). She is passionate about educating, encouraging, and empowering other homeschooling families to homeschool their way. Michelle would love to connect with you on her Blog, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube!

The post 3 Celebrations to Consider this Fall. first appeared on True Aim.

I am a huge fan of making things from scratch when you can, but I’m not a very good cook! After a failed attempt at an applesauce smoothie, I decided to give this applesauce a try over the weekend and loved the results! It is also easy enough that kids can help with the process.

This applesauce is great for a fresh appetizer, and takes only minutes to make. It is virtually fail-proof, which is great for people like me who can’t cook to save their life.

I put the ingredients in our Ninja blender, so they blend nicely, and leave a few chunks here and there. (A Ninja is completely worth the investment.)

Easy Homemade Applesauce

Serves: 3 (Recipe can be made in bulk as needed.)

Ingredients:

• 3 apples (peeled if desired)
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/3 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tbsp of sugar
• Optional: nutmeg

Directions:

1. Chop apples and place them in a blender. Add water, cinnamon, sugar, and nutmeg. Peel apples if desired – I liked the outer skin in mind! The water helps the taste not be so strong, and helps it all blend together in the blender.

2. Serve cold if you’re in a hurry, OR warm up in a saucepan on low heat for about 15 minutes, stirring in a bit of extra sugar and cinnamon for flavors. (I’ve also seen this made in a crockpot, but have not tried it before.)

3. Serve fresh, and the applesauce lasts in a sealed container for up to 3 days.

You can also make bread, muffins, latkes, or donuts with applesauce. For an extra healthy twist, you can substitute applesauce for oil in a lot of different baked goods, making them more healthy and natural, with less added sugar.

The post Easy Autumn Applesauce: Easy DIY Recipe for Fall first appeared on True Aim.

1. Trace leaves on paper (you can try leaf rubbing with crayons)
2. Drink apple cider
3. Read a fall book
4. Go on a hayride
5. Bake sugar cookies
6. Try leaf threading (try this tutorial – you only need a handful of items)
7. Eat corn on the cob
8. Visit an apple orchard
9. Jump in a pile of leaves
10. Make warm soup
11. Paint a pumpkin (here are some fun ideas to try, that many kids can try!)
12. Have a bonfire
13. Rake leaves for a friend
14. Bake apple pie
15. Have a fall photoshoot (Pinterest has same great photo inspiration)
16. Visit a farm
17. Have a family game night
18. Do Christmas shopping
19. Watch a fall movie
20. Go on a nature hike
21. Make s’mores (don’t want to have a bonfire? Make them in the oven)
22. Dance (turn on your favorite tunes and have fun!)
23. DIY a scarf (have a go at these five tutorials)
24. Go to the pumpkin patch (one of the most classic fall activities, but is part of so many great memories!)
25. Analyze leaves
26. Play messy Twister
27. Visit a play (check out your local high school or college)
28. Make a prayer list (write a list of prayer requests down and hang them on your fridge or somewhere private like your bedroom)
29. Bake banana bread
30. Have an outdoor picnic

Want this list for on the go, or to hang on your fridge? Grab the free printable list!

What are you most looking forward to this fall season? Leave a comment below!

The post Fall Activities for Kids and Families first appeared on True Aim.

While you want to be sure to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors throughout the fall season, there are many activities that your family will enjoy that your kids can write about after you arrive home! The best way to encourage your children to write is to allow them to write about their experiences. This fall take your kids on field trips that will give them something to write about! Writing may not come easy for your children, if that is the case try planning your fall family fun around these fun writing prompts!

FALL WRITING PROMPTS FOR KIDS

Fall Holiday Themed Writing Prompts

• If I Met Columbus
• What I Admire About Veterans
• If I Were Elected President
• What Thanksgiving Means to Me
• Questions I’d Ask a Presidential Nominee
• If I were a Pilgrim on the Mayflower
• Things I’m Thankful For
• What I’ve Learned About Pearl Harbor

Fall Themed Writing Prompts

• When the crisp fall air arrives I
• Why I love fall
• Fall campfires are amazing because
• When I go hiking I like to
• If I were a scarecrow I would
• Things I’d like to do this fall
• If I were a farmer I would
• My favorite fall activities
• When the leaves rustle in the wind I think
• My favorite memories from this fall
• Reasons I love leaf piles
• On fall camping trips I enjoy
• When we go apple picking I like to
• If I could go anywhere this fall I would go to
• I like to carve pumpkins because
• On a cool fall day I like to
• Before fall comes to an end I

These fun fall writing prompts are a great way to encourage your kids to share their thoughts and dreams with you! It can be an amazing experience reading what your children loved most about this season in their life, what they would ask people from the past, where they would like to go and what they would like to do!

I hope that these fall writing prompts are a resource that your children enjoy! Below you’ll find a link to set of printable notebooking pages featuring these writing prompts.

What are your favorite fall writing prompts?

The post 25 Fall Writing Prompts for Kids first appeared on True Aim.

Fun Fall Nature Study Activities

1. Collect Leaves

Head outside with your children and collect falling leaves. Look for all of the different colors of leaves. Compare the different shapes and sizes. See if you and your children can find out which leaf belongs to which tree.

Once you’ve collected a variety of leaves, bring the leaves inside to decorate the windows for fall.

Pick up some clear contact paper and carefully place the leaves on the sticky side of the paper. When you’re finished, hang the paper on the windows.

You’ll have beautifully decorated windows for the fall.

2. Pick Apples

Apple season is here! The apples are finally ripe and are ready to drop. If you don’t have an apple tree nearby, head out to a local farm to go apple picking. Kids adore picking fruit to eat right off the tree.

Once you’re home, chop some apples in half to show the children the apple seeds inside the fruit. Remember to explain the fruits are the product of a plant and carry seeds inside them.

Be sure to make caramel apples, apple muffins, and apple pies to finish off your adventure.

3. Collect Pine Cones

Collecting pine cones is another fabulous and fun fall nature activity. Head to a local park with plenty of evergreen trees and see just how many pine cones you can find.

Take a bunch of pine cones home.

Point out to the children how the pine cones are closed to protect their seeds and preheat the oven to 200 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil or wax paper and place the pine cones on the sheet before popping them in the oven for 30 minutes.

Show the children how the heat opened up the pine cones to release the seeds.

Finish off the pine cone activity by tying a string to the top of the pine cone and spreading peanut butter all over it. Roll the pine cone in bird seed and you have a bird feeder to hang in the yard.

4. Bird Watching

Fall is the time of year when many birds are gathering into flocks and preparing to head south. It’s a splendid time to start bird watching.

Hang the pine cone bird feeders you made near the windows and see how many birds come by to enjoy the feast from the warm of your house. It’s a fabulous way to enjoy nature study from inside a warm house.

Older children can have fun trying to identify the various types of birds they see in the yard using some easy kids books.

5. Nature hike

Take your kids out on nature hikes. As you’re hiking be sure to point out signs of fall you’ve studied so far. Point out the ripe berries, falling leaves, and flocks of birds gathering before heading south.

Collect pine cones, leaves, and stones. When you get home you can enjoy one of these nature science activities with your kids.

Fall is a delightful time for outdoor activities. You and your kids can explore nature together before heading inside to enjoy more activities in the warmth of the house.

What is your favorite fall activity to enjoy with your children?

The post 5 Fun Fall Nature Study Activities first appeared on True Aim.

Welcome to Mom’s Library

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This Week’s Giveaway!

I See Me Personalized Book Giveaway!

Enter to win any single book of your choice from I See Me!

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Pumpkin Crafts

Find the Letter on the Pumpkin – Hands on As We Grow

For younger kids who are learning their alphabet, try this “find the letter” pumpkin activity.

Pumpkin Patch Preschool Printable – Homeschool Preschool

Homeschool Preschool is known for their adorable free printables. Here is a pumpkin patch inspired printable.

Easy Rice Krispie Pumpkins – Embark on the Journey

If you’ve made Rice Krispie treats before, this should be a breeze!

Pumpkin Science Exploration – Pre-K Pages

Introduce kids to science the fun way – hands-on activities. Get messy with this hands-on pumpkin exploration activity.

Big Pumpkin Storytelling Paper Plate Craft

Inspired by the book Big Pumpkin, create a pumpkin paper plate.

Describe a Pumpkin Using All 5 Senses – Gift of Curiosity

Describe a pumpkin using all five senses – what does it feel like? Look like? Smell like? This can easily be adapted for older children as well, as it requires some interesting thought!

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The post Pumpkin Crafts and Mom’s Library #162 first appeared on True Aim.

This post contains an awesome Giveaway! For more info read my full disclosure.

We love fall because of the cozy atmosphere, the harvest, and the start of the holiday season. Hope you enjoy some of these fall themed activities as much as we do.

Learning with Fall Leaves

Colors, counting, even sewing; leaves make great learning tools that all children like to collect.

1. Practice letter sounds with a fall ABC roll and say game. Pick up the game and practice motor skills by having your child move the small nut without his hands, just the tray!

2. Work our your memory with a free printable Autumn leaf memory game.

3. Leaves make a great material for beginners to sew with! The crunchy ones might not work as well.

4. It’s like a puzzle, leaf shadow matching makes a great file folder game!

5. Number art made easy, try this number recognition fall tree painting.

6. Go on a nature walk and learn to identify a tree by its leaves with these identification cards.

 Fall Apple Learning Activities

Apples are in season so why not use them in your learning activities!

7. Get some more ABC practice in with this simple apple letter tree activity.

8. Free apple themed printables will brighten up your lesson plan.

9. Make math fun with lots of free apple themed math printables and learn how to use them Montessori style.

10. There are lots of fun ways to count and learn number recognition with apples!

11. Apple science teaches children all about fruit and what’s inside an apple.

12. There’s even more ways to play and create with apples here.

More Unique Fall Learning Activities

Have you found some inspiration? If not, here are a few more learning activities that kids will love!

13. Sing, sing a fall song or teach your kiddos some fun rhymes for circle time!

14. A guess who game combines critical thinking with language arts and includes a cute owl craft too!

15. Pumpkins make handwriting practice festive! Get a free printable here.

16. With the fall harvest comes Thanksgiving, a perfect learning theme for fall.

17. The Creator of the universe invented fall, so you know you have to try one of these fall Bible activities.

18. You can’t go wrong with a few more fall arts and crafts for those fine motor skills.

Fall Mega Cash Giveaway!

I’ve partnered with lots of other bloggers to bring you a Mega Cash Giveaway and lots of other ideas for Fall Activities for kids! 4 lucky people will win $500 cash.

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Check out even more fall activities while you’re here!

The post Giveaway! 15+ Unique Fall Learning Activities for Preschoolers first appeared on True Aim.