Looking for a fun and free activity to do with your family this fall? Try leaf peeping at one of our local parks.
Leaf peeping stems from a Vermont term, “leaf-peeker”, from the early 1900s. Leaf peeping is slang for seeing or observing fall foliage, perhaps even loitering at a pretty tree to appreciate the changing colors.
Our favorite places to enjoy leaf peeking are Echo Hollow Park and Arbuckle Acres. Try identifying the trees that you see with your kids. Below is a list of trees that my husband was proud to ID when we were recently at Arbuckle:
- Sugar Maple
- Sycamore
- Black Locust
- Cottonwood
- Slippery Elm
- Flowering Dogwood
- White Oak
Below is a link to a tree identification brochure from the Indiana DNR for reference.
https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/files/sp-Trees_Brochure.pdf
Take leaf peeping one step further by collecting fallen leaves and using them for a craft. Leaves can be easily preserved by pressing them between wax papers and weighing the wax paper with books or other heavy objects.
Did you find any cool leaves on your leaf peeping journey? Send a picture and let us know where you were and what your favorite tree was!
