Skip to main content
Home
  • About Us
    • Annual Report
  • Powering the Future
    • Our Energy Mix
  • Electrify and Save®
    • On-Bill Repayment
    • Programs
    • Quality Install
  • Media
    • Resources
    • Blog
    • Features
    • News
    • Newsletter
    • Podcast
  • Cooperative Benefits
  • Operations
  • Search
Menu

Search form

Fall family activities close to home

5 Fall Family Activities Close-to-Home

Shorter days don’t mean you’ll be short on opportunities for family fun! Our list of safe fall activities at home will help you embrace the best of the season with your loved ones - all while saving money and staying close to home. 

No matter the size of your family, or the age of your kids, you can make new and lasting memories this fall. And keep these electrical safety tips at the ready to keep your family safe as you play.
 

1. Go on a nature hike. Even if you live in the city, create a route around your neighborhood or a local park or nature area that will ensure your family enjoys some outdoor time! Enlist the help of your grade school-aged kids to create a nature bingo sheet for the hike. Make spaces with things like acorns, colored leaves, ravens, and squirrels. Whoever gets a bingo first gets to choose the post-hike snack! 

Safety tip: While you’re out, help your kids identify power lines in your neighborhood and talk about how to keep a safe, 10-foot distance from electrical lines. 

2. Tailgate from home. If your family enjoys watching games together each weekend, you can create a game-day atmosphere without leaving home! Create the feeling of a tailgate party on your back deck, in your driveway, or even in your living room. Lay out cozy blankets, paper goods, and spirit wear. Cook up your favorite game-day snacks, too, for the ultimate fall activity at home!

If you plan to tailgate outside, double-check your outdoor lights and extension cords before you gather for game day. Extension cords are made specifically for indoor or outdoor use, so make sure your outdoor cords are made to withstand the elements. Inspect sockets plugs for frayed or broken pieces. Learn more here about electrical safety checks to do around your home.

3. Carve, decorate and light up those pumpkins! Challenge each member of your family to create a custom pumpkin design. Carving, painting, collage – any method is allowed! Give supportive feedback on each family member’s creation. And once your family of pumpkins is complete, enlist everyone’s help to create a pumpkin display in your front room or porch, enhanced with holiday-themed decorative lights.  

While you’re plugging in holiday lights: Check the cords of your decorative lights, as well as your indoor and outdoor appliances and plugs throughout your house. Make sure none of your cords are damaged or sitting out in high-traffic areas. If your kids are learning at home, make sure their laptops and cords aren’t sitting in a place where they could be tripped on. 

4. Make your own fall candles - and get some gifts ready for the holidays! Follow an easy DIY recipe for at-home candle-making, selecting autumnal flavors such as cinnamon, clove, pumpkin, and vanilla. Then, display them throughout your house! Burning candles is a way to add a cozy feeling to your home without using additional electricity. Make some extra candles to give to family members as holiday gifts!  

Use your candles safely! Candles can be used safely at home as long as you set family rules and expectations. Never leave candles unattended, and ensure lit candles are put in places that avoid plants, paper, drapes, and other flammable materials.

Looking for other small ways to save energy this season? Check out this post for  simple ways to reduce your home’s energy consumption and save money on your electric bill. 

5. Add new plants and trees to your yard before winter. Recruit your family to help choose some new bushes, flowers or trees from your community garden center to add to your yard. Create a game or contest to determine who gets to choose where your new plants will be placed! Then bring the family together to plant them before the weather gets cold. 

Plant smart! Some plant varieties can have an insulating effect on your home and help you save on your energy bills this winter, such as wind-blocking bushes and trees. Tip: Do not plant tall vegetation on the south side of your home. This will prevent the sun from entering and warming your house in colder months.

Plant safely! Trees should not be planted within 25 feet of a power line. All trees and bushes should also avoid areas around electric meters, transformers, or other equipment. Before digging, visit Call Before You Dig, and call the local underground utility locator service at 811 to mark the location of underground utilities, so you don’t accidentally come into contact with a power line.

 

Here’s to a fun-filled fall season with your family! Need more ideas? Check out: creative ways your family can save energy and have fun while staying at home.

Have questions about your electricity as you prepare for the winter months? Please contact the experts at your local electric cooperative or public power district to learn more. 

This video explains how renewable energy resources and innovative technology solutions are leading to lower rates and more sustainable power for members of local electric cooperatives. Learn how these new advancements will benefit you and your electric bill!

 

 

--

About Tri-State

Tri-State is a power supply cooperative, operating on a not-for-profit basis, serving electric distribution cooperatives and public power district member-owners in four states. Together with our members, we deliver reliable, affordable and responsible power to more than a million electricity consumers across nearly 200,000 square miles of the West. Visit www.tristate.coop.    

 

Contributor:

Kent Mahanna, MPH, CSP Senior Manager Safety & Security

Blog Posts

Beat the Chill: Effective Insulation Strategies for Winter Comfort

Beat the Chill: Effective Insulation Strategies for Winter Comfort

For those living in older homes, it's common to experience uncomfortable drafts, chilly winters, and higher utility bills compared to newer homes. But here's the good news: improving your home's insulation can help you stay warmer in winter, cooler in summer, and save money in the long run.  Here are some effective insulation strategies for a more comfortable and energy-efficient winter. 
Read more >
Energy Efficient Heating Options for Rural Communities

Energy Efficient Heating Options for Rural Communities in the West

As winter approaches, rural communities in the West face the on-going challenge of keeping their homes warm while managing energy costs. With big temperature swings, it's helpful for families to explore energy-efficient heating options that suit this unique climate. Here’s our favorite tips to get the most out of your current heating system
Peter Rusin, Member Relations Manager
Read more >
Energy Efficient Tips for Outdoor Fall Entertaining

Energy Efficient Tips for Outdoor Fall Entertaining

Summer may get more attention when it comes to outdoor get-togethers but with an autumn party, you can trade the mosquitoes, thunderstorms, and hot nights for crisp evenings and changing leaves. The cooling temperatures also mean a chance to optimize your energy use, reduce your bill and save some money heading into winter.
Peter Rusin, Member Relations Manager
Read more >
How to boost your business with EV charging, attract new clients, increase your sustainability efforts and add a new revenue stream.

Boost Your Business with EV Charging

A lack of EV chargers presents a problem for drivers but an opportunity for local business owners. If you're a business owner, here’s how you can boost your business with EV charging to attract new clients, increase your sustainability efforts and add a new revenue stream.
Mike Frailey, Relationship Manager 
Read more >
Benefits of Having Your Own EV Charger at Home

The Benefits of Having Your Own EV Charger at Home

One of the most recognizable shifts is the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). As the world embraces EVs, the need for accessible charging infrastructure has grown exponentially. While public charging stations are expanding, there's something uniquely advantageous about having your own EV charger at home. 
Mike Frailey, Relationship Manager 
Read more >
Geothermal Heat Pumps: Harnessing Earth's Energy for Your Business 

Geothermal Heat Pumps: Harnessing Earth's Energy for Your Business 

With April being National Geothermal Month, it’s a perfect time to delve into the process of installing GHPs, their benefits, what climates are the most suitable and how businesses can take advantage of rebates to offset costs while contributing to a greener future. 
Peter Rusin, Member Relations Manager
Read more >
Mastering Energy Efficiency With These Home Upgrades 

Mastering Energy Efficiency With These Home Upgrades 

Power management matters to two kinds of people: those who pay utility bills and environmentally conscious individuals. If you fall into one, or hopefully both, of those categories, here are a few tips for mastering energy efficiency with some home upgrades.  
Peter Rusin, Member Relations Manager
Read more >
Winter Comfort Tips: Transform Your Home into an Energy-Efficient Oasis

Winter Comfort Tips: Transform Your Home into an Energy-Efficient Oasis

There’s nothing better than enjoying creature comforts during the winter chill. Staying warm is a big part of that, but it comes at a price if your home isn't optimized for cold weather. This winter, consider some smart ways to conserve energy, save money, and transform your home into an energy-efficient oasis with these helpful tips
Peter Rusin, Member Relations Manager
Read more >
Winter Destinations in Colorado Promoting Energy Efficiency

5 Winter Destinations in Colorado Promoting Energy Efficiency

These five mountain towns in Colorado not only offer thrilling winter adventures but also take a pioneering stance in energy efficiency.
Read more >

Pagination

  • Currently on page   1
  • Page   2
  • Page   3
  • Page   4
  • Page   5
  • Page   6
  • Page   7
  • Page   8
  • Page   9
  • …
  • Next pageNext ›
  • Last pageLast »

Subscribe

* indicates required
Join our mailing list for
updates and member news.
 
 

Quick links

  • Leadership Team
  • Dark Fiber
  • Financials
  • Board Meetings
  • Member Tools
  • Corporate Responsibility Report
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Careers
  • Employee login

Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association
Office: 303-452-6111
1100 West 116th Avenue
Westminster, CO 80234

Mailing address:
PO Box 33695
Denver, CO 80233-0695

©2025 Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc. Power supplier to the rural west.

  • About Us
    • Annual Report
  • Powering the Future
    • Our Energy Mix
  • Electrify and Save®
    • On-Bill Repayment
    • Programs
    • Quality Install
  • Media
    • Resources
    • Blog
    • Features
    • News
    • Newsletter
    • Podcast
  • Cooperative Benefits
  • Operations
  • Search