If there are "pick your own" operations near you for seasonal foods - think apples, pumpkins, peaches, strawberries, etc. Take them picking with you. My granddaughter is 11, lives across the country, only gets to visit a couple of times a year, and will be visiting in October. She is excited about going to pick apples. Me too!! We went to a farm and picked strawberries back in the spring. Great fun and then home to cook up something with the "pickings".
My granddaughter is a crafter like me and is into most anything I do. She is also a pretty good cook and is always looking for something for us to cook. We have a lot of fun just preparing meals. In fact some days, I am grateful for the tablet or tv.... It gives me a chance to slow down and rest for a minute. She keeps me hopping!!!