Filipino-Inspired Fall Activities for Families

As we settle into the cozy rhythm of fall, I’ve been thinking about ways to incorporate more Filipino culture into our family’s everyday life. Fall is the perfect time to introduce cultural activities, especially with the rich traditions surrounding harvest season in the Philippines. Let’s dive into Filipino-inspired fall activities, and create meaningful cultural conversations with our little ones!

1. Research Filipino Monsters for Halloween costume inspiration
   Prepare for Halloween by diving into Filipino folklore and introducing your kids to creatures like the Aswang (shape-shifting creature) or the Manananggal (a vampire-like monster that splits in two). These characters provide a unique cultural twist on the typical Halloween tales. Use this as an opportunity to discuss the importance of storytelling in Filipino culture and how different cultures explain the supernatural. A fun activity is creating monster masks or drawing your own interpretations of these mythical creatures! Make sure to check out Christina Newhard’s book Kalipay and the Tiniest Tiktik (A Cebuano Tale).

2. Prepare for All Saints and All Souls’ Day (Undas)
   All Saints' Day (November 1) and All Souls' Day (November 2) are significant holidays for Filipinos, where families gather to remember and honor their loved ones who have passed away. This can be a perfect time to teach kids the meaning of Undas and how it fosters strong family bonds and respect for ancestors. Consider having your children help prepare a simple pamana (offering) table with candles, photos, and favorite foods of passed loved ones. Use this as an opportunity to share family stories and talk about the values of remembrance and gratitude.

3. Cook a Family-Style Filipino Fall Meal
   This fall, why not try cooking a traditional Filipino meal inspired by autumn? You can prepare Ginataang Kalabasa (squash in coconut milk) or Laing (taro leaves in coconut milk) while incorporating stories of how food and celebration bring families together, especially during harvest and remembrance seasons. You could also make spooky puto (rice cakes) dyed with dark colors or create fun pan de sal snacks with your kids to celebrate Filipino heritage while embracing the Halloween spirit.

4. Storytelling with Filipino Spooky Folktales
   Filipino folklore is rich with spooky tales that are perfect for fall storytelling. Try sharing stories about the Kapre (a tree-dwelling giant who smokes cigars) or White Lady (a ghost haunting crossroads). Use this time to compare these tales with Western ghost stories, creating cultural connections and exploring the similarities in how different countries tell scary stories. This is also a great opportunity to practice Tagalog or regional dialects by retelling these folktales in your native language!

5. Create a Family Tree to Celebrate Heritage
   As you prepare for All Saints and All Souls' Day, consider making a family tree to help kids connect to their roots. This activity is a wonderful way to honor your ancestors, and you can include discussions about how Filipinos value family ties. You might even share the tradition of "pangangaluluwa," where people go from house to house singing songs for the souls of the dead, much like trick-or-treating. Help your kids see how cultural traditions, from Pangangaluluwa to All Saints Day, reflect the importance of family and community in Filipinos.

Language Lesson: Key Phrases for Cultural Conversations

Here are a few key Tagalog phrases you can introduce during these activities:

• Salamat po – Thank you (showing respect)

• Pamilya – Family

• Pag-aani – Harvest

• Kuwento – Story

• Kasama – Together/Companion

If you speak a regional dialect like Bisaya, Ilocano, or Waray, try swapping out these phrases in your family's native dialect! This is an excellent way to keep the language alive for our kids.

Explore More with Campfire Crates

To dive deeper into Filipino Family activities, check out these blog articles from Campfire Crates:

How to have a Fiesta-themed playdate

Easy Filipino activities for kids stuck indoors

How to celebrate Halloween with a Philippine Twist

Featured Campfire Crate Book: “My Filipino Story”

As you prepare to honor loved ones who have passed during the All Souls and All Saints season, take the opportunity to explore your heritage and what that means with our My Filipino Story heritage journal. This question and answer activity book for kids 8-12 explores Filipino culture, traditions, birthdays, food, places, family, values, history, and Tagalog words through pops of Filipino information and trivia and unique kid-friendly activities like:

• Family interviews

• Coloring and cutting activities

• Writing Filipino phrases

• Filipino affirmation cutouts

As we continue to find ways to blend our Filipino heritage with everyday moments, I hope these activities inspire you to start cultural conversations at home. Feel free to share any activities or tips that have worked for your family—I’d love to hear them!