Ahhh fall, I love you. Maybe it’s a Midwestern thing, but fall always seems to breeze in like an old friend. It reminds us it’s almost time to snuggle up and settle in for winter, so we better get outside while the weather is crisp and the outdoors are colorful. And, with that in mind, now’s the perfect time to plan some fall family activities or a fall bucket list to ensure you savor the season before it’s gone.
While I love partaking in some quintessential autumn activities like prepping costumes and decorating front stoops for Halloween, you might be looking for some new and unique fall bucket list ideas, too. I hope this fall bucket list sparks some easy ideas to slow down and truly enjoy this time with your family between back-to-school season and the chaos of the holidays. Read on for 30 fun fall family activities to consider.
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Outdoor & Nature Activities
1. Take a fall colors nature walk without your phone
Play eye-spy or look and listen with your kids as you crunch through the fallen leaves and take in the color-changing trees around you. Enjoy the moment without the pull of your phone to capture everything and allow yourself to be fully present.
2. Take a scenic drive
What better way to slow down than to get out on the open road? This is an especially great option if you live somewhere that has changing leaves, but can be done anywhere no matter what. As the temps start to drop and things begin to get more colorful, set out for an afternoon drive to take it all in. Leave the electronics at home and prepare some meaningful or fun conversation-starters to talk about.
3. Take a family bike ride
Soak up some of the last days before winter and get your kiddos outside! While this is also a great activity for the summer time, biking in the fall holds some special treasure, fall foliage chief among them.
4. Have a backyard bonfire—with s’mores!
Though summer is in the past, fall nights are some of the best for a cozy bonfire with your family and friends. Make sure you have some chocolate and marshmallows on hand, and invite some of your neighbors over to make it a party.
5. Go on a leaf hunt
This one’s for the kiddos. Print some cardstock and send them off into your front yard and beyond, collecting all the different colors. This not only gets your children outside, but also doubles as yard cleanup!
Classic Pumpkin Patch & Orchard Outings
6. Visit a pumpkin patch
This is a quintessential fall activity and an absolute must for little kiddos who need to burn off some steam but also want to get into the fall spirit. Most towns and cities have at least one pumpkin patch—so get your children involved in the fall decor process and let them pick out a pumpkin of their own!
7. Go on a hay ride
Set out for an apple orchard or pumpkin patch, but make sure it’s one that offers a hay ride. Or, find a hay ride experience of its own! No matter what the experience looks like, it’ll be a great way to relax and take in the views and scents of autumn.
8. Go apple picking
This is an ideal an afternoon activity to tire your kids out and give them some irreplaceable fall memories. Using the apples you pick to make some tasty fall treats is an added bonus!
9. Get lost in a corn maze
If you plan on attending a fall festival, this is a harmless and hilarious activity for the entire family. Let your kiddos run wild in a corn maze as you struggle to find your way out. You can make priceless family memories while tiring your kids out at the same time!
10. Try a new way to decorate pumpkins
Channel your inner Martha Stewart and explore a new non-carving way to decorate pumpkins. Ideas are just a Google search away, but some of our favorites are toddler-friendly finger-painted pumpkins, heirloom pumpkin towers, and painting the pumpkin stem with sparkles. Consider also painting one pumpkin teal to participate in the Teal Pumpkin Project to bring awareness and inclusion to food allergies.
Festivals, Games & Spooky Fun
11. Go to a football game
Whether you’re near an NFL stadium or not, you can participate in the quintessential fall sport. Either grab some tickets for an NFL showdown, or simply catch a high school game under the Friday night lights. You may be surprised at how exciting it is to cheer on your home team.
12. Visit a haunted house
This one is definitely a better fit for older kiddos, but spooky season is the perfect time to visit a local haunted house or even a haunted hay ride. Many of them have varying levels of interactivity and horror elements, so you can customize the experience to your family’s wishes. This is a fun option to take your child out of their comfort zone!
13. Visit a farmer’s market
Visiting a farmer’s market is one of my fall musts, and everyone should be adding it to their bucket lists this season. The produce is fresher and ideal for whipping up some seasonal recipes—plus, the kids can have just as much fun exploring the different stands.
14. Plan a weekend getaway
Fall is a great time to plan a mini family vacation to explore a nearby city or town that’s close to your home. There are so many awesome locations for leaf peeping and apple picking across the country and it’s always fun to check out local shops, playgrounds, and restaurants with the kids in a new-to-you place.
15. Attend a fall festival
Outdoor fall fests are great for families, often with kid-friendly music, crafts, food, and more. My plan is usually to go early before the crowds get too thick for a stroller or wagon and the spiked cider hasn’t yet been flowing through the other attendees all day.
Cozy Fall Nights In
16. Start a family book club
Fall is the perfect time to cozy up with a good book—so why not start a family book club to do just that? There are so many cute fall and Halloween picture books for littles to add to their bookshelves and read together. Or, if your kids are older, choose a chapter book or popular series to read independently and then plan a book club discussion as a family!
17. Make a Crock-Pot recipe bucket list
Our family has some slow cooker staples like shredded beef tacos, Crock-Pot whole chicken, and chicken pot pie. Collect recipes from around the web you want to try this fall and plan them out. An additional plus side to Crock-Pot meals? There are (almost) always leftovers.
18. Make a new recipe with pumpkins
Did you know pumpkins are a superfood? They are filled with tons of nutrients and antioxidants the body craves such as vitamins A and C. Thinking beyond pumpkin bread or pie and try to get adventurous with a new recipe using pumpkins.
19. Make a Trader Joe’s run
Trader Joe’s is great all year round, but there’s something extra special about our favorite store in the fall. Whether it’s your usual grocery store or a stop you only make a few times each year, make a special trip as a family this fall. Stock up on pumpkin flavored Joe Joe’s, fall Zucchette pasta shaped like pumpkins, fall scented candles, and other fall treats—then come home and cook something fun with your new finds!
20. Sip apple cider and watch a fall movie
From football flicks to Halloween favorites, there are tons of kid-friendly movies or shows to enjoy as a family during the fall season. Make it extra fun by sipping apple juice, apple cider, or mulled wine for the grown-ups. This can also be a fun fall date night idea for you and your partner!
Fall-Themed Crafts & Creative Projects
21. Deck out your front door and porch for the season
Walking or biking around the neighborhood is still good old-fashioned family fun, and now is the perfect time to keep the neighbors (and your kids) entertained by decking out the front of your home for fall or Halloween. Try making handcrafted leaves into a colorful wreath for your front door, decorate a fall-themed front porch or entryway, or stick a kid-friendly spooky surprise in the windows like bats, ghosts, or a witch’s silhouette.
22. Do a seasonal closet clean-out
Whether you’re motivated to do a Marie Kondo-style purge or you want to simply store your summer duds in favor of easily-accessible sweaters and leggings, take the time to make the switch. Gather coats, sweaters, and shoes in good condition to donate or host a clothing swap party with your friends. And when you’re ready to add a few new items to your freshly-purged closet, shop The Everymom’s fall capsule wardrobe!
23. Have a fall craft-a-thon
Fall’s bounty is full of so many natural craft supplies: pumpkins, gourds, leaves, acorns, and pinecones, to name a few. Paint pumpkins or pinecones, collect leaves for crayon rubbings, or another nature-inspired fall craft. Endless ideas are just a quick Pinterest search away.
24. Decorate your home for ‘Falloween’
I don’t know about you, but I’m basically ready to decorate for Halloween right after Labor Day. While there’s no shame in decorating for spooky season whenever your heart desires, don’t forget to add some cozy fall touches to your home during this time, too. Instead of decking your halls for Halloween right away, why not spruce up your space with a ‘Falloween’ theme instead? Think plaid blankets, textured throw pillows, colorful faux stems, and more.
25. Have a fall photoshoot
Looking to update your photos for those holiday cards? The foliage provides the perfect background for some beautiful fall family photographs. Whether you use a professional photographer or not, these are sure to turn out amazing!
26. DIY a festive fall wreath
Looking for a fall arts and crafts activity for a rainy afternoon? Use fresh greenery, pinecones, and your kiddos eager hands to make a simple and beautiful wreath—and watch as their faces light up when you hang it on your front door!
Activities for Gratitude & Giving Back
27. Thank your mail carrier and delivery people
Say thank you to your neighborhood’s hardworking mail carriers and delivery people for bringing a smile to your household this season. Plus, with the holidays on the horizon, we know they’ll continue to be working long hours all fall and winter. Add a note in chalk on the sidewalk or set out prepackaged snacks and bottled water to help them know they’re appreciated.
28. Send an unexpected thank you note
Have someone you think about often but never actually tell the person? Forgo the text and send a handwritten note thanking your special person for being who they are. It’s an easy way to make someone’s day.
29. Make a gratitude jar
While Halloween may be on everyone’s mind as we prep for the exciting holiday, Thanksgiving is not to be overlooked. Get in the spirit of giving thanks by starting a gratitude jar and having everyone add to it daily or weekly. You can make it a special thing you do until the end of the year and go through them together at Christmastime or after New Year’s.
30. Holiday shop early at small and BIPOC-owned businesses
Holiday shopping is coming up quickly. Make an extra effort to support small businesses, including BIPOC-owned brands, by shopping early so you won’t need to rely as much on expedited Amazon Prime shipping.
FAQs
What should be on a fall bucket list for families?
A well-rounded fall bucket list mixes outdoor adventures like pumpkin patches, apple picking, and scenic drives with cozy at-home activities like watching spooky movies over apple cider, starting a family book club, or doing a fall craft-a-thon. Adding a few gratitude-focused activities, like keeping a gratitude jar or writing thank-you notes, rounds out the season with some heart alongside the fun.
What are some free or low-cost fall activities?
Plenty of fall family favorites cost little to nothing: a phone-free nature walk to look at changing leaves, a leaf hunt in the yard, a scenic drive, a backyard bonfire with s’mores, or a DIY pumpkin decorating session at home. Even a seasonal closet clean-out or gratitude jar make the list without spending a dime.
When is the best time to visit a pumpkin patch or go apple picking?
Both are considered must-do fall activities, and we suggest planning ahead since these outings pair well with hay rides. Some pumpkin patches and orchards offer hay rides on-site, so it’s worth checking before you go.
What’s a good fall activity for date night?
Sipping apple cider and watching a fall or Halloween movie together is a cozy option that works equally well as a family activity or a fall date night for parents. You can also cook a new fall crockpot recipe together and enjoy a quiet dinner, or head out on the town for a night at a fall festival or football game.
How can families give back during fall?
There are several small ways to spread gratitude in autumn: thanking mail carriers and delivery workers with a note or snacks, sending an unexpected handwritten thank-you note to someone special, and shopping early at small and BIPOC-owned businesses ahead of the holiday season.
Kathy Sisson, Senior Editor
A mom of two, Kathy is passionately committed to sharing the honest, helpful—and often humorous—stories of motherhood, as she navigates her own everyday adventures of work, marriage, and parenting. She honed her creative and strategic skills at advertising agencies in Detroit and Chicago, before pivoting from marketing to editorial. Now instead of telling brand stories, she’s sharing her own, with articles published across popular parenting sites—including hundreds of stories on The Everymom.
Rebecca Smith, Editorial Assistant
As an Editorial Assistant, Rebecca works with The Everymom team on updating existing content, photo sourcing, pitching original articles, and more. She’s passionate about creating authentic and diverse online content and is thrilled to help women of all ages feel represented.
