Dear family travelers:  

Whether your kids aren't in school yet or you're just looking for a weekend getaway, grab the kids and get outdoors this fall. Hike, bike, play in the leaves!

Sure you're busy but make time to enjoy the fine weather (hopefully) and free festivals all around the country celebrating harvest season. Half Moon Bay, CA is known for their pumpkin fields and its pumpkin fest, for example. Here's what I wrote about a recent visit to Half Moon Bay.

Here are six options we love-and you'll find more in our special Fall Getaways Guide.

1. The Appalachian Mountain Club has a variety of kids play and stay and eat free programs at their Cardigan Lodge in New Hampshire, where you can also stay in huts along the Appalachian Trail, giving kids a taste of back packing without lugging all the gear.

2. Grab the tent and go camping for a long weekend or longer. It's less crowded, cheaper, not so hot as summer. National Public Lands Day is a fee-free entrance day at many federal public lands, including national parks, and this year it takes place September 29th. With preschoolers, being in the great outdoors for even one night is a big adventure.

3. Leaf peep family-style within a day's drive of home. Family Travel Forum has a state-by state directory of leaf peeper hotlines. It's not just about looking at the leaves! Let preschoolers jump in them and make leaf scrapbooks and acorn or pine cone sculptures for school.

4. Go apple and pumpkin picking. Kids love hayrides. It's easy to find a u-pick farm.  As the First Lady explained in my exclusive interview, kids who understand where their food comes from become better and healthier eaters for life.

5. Pitch in and help on a farm. Well recognized in Europe, farm vacations are gaining popularity here as farms offer overnight lodging, meals and a peek into their lifestyle. Go to Farm Stay U.S. for a directory with over 975 working farms and ranches in all 50 states and U.S. Territories. Here's what I wrote about learning sustainability and eating healthy at the Inn at Valley Farms in Walpole, NH.

6. Head to a national park. You will be able to find those rooms at Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon or Yosemite that couldn't be had for any price in July. Go to  www.nps.gov and link to the park you want to visit. Look for special programs and packages from concessionaire Xanterra Parks & Resorts. There are 397 National Parks to choose from! Here's what I just wrote about National Parks and kids.