38 Things to Do This Fall

The fall is one of the best times to get in some family activities. There are so many ways to take advantage of the beautiful weather and scenery outside, and still have fun inside also.

Here’s a list of 38 fun things you can do. Use this to create your fall bucket list. Or you can turn to this post when you are looking for something to do with the kiddos. If you are a stay-at-home mom, a lot of these activities will help keep everyone busy!

(Just so you know, I am overloading this post with many more personal pics than usual. I couldn’t help it since we seem to make so many memories this time of year ;-))

38 Things To Do In the Fall

1. Go on a fall scavenger hunt

Grab this fall scavenger hunt sheet from Domestic Mommyhood and take the kids outside to complete it.

2. Collect different colored leaves

This is a great way to talk about color with your kids. Better yet, collect some of those leaves for #3.

3. Create art with leaves

Use the leaves you collected to do a craft project with your kids.

4. Check with your local nature center to see if they offer fall programs

Nature centers offer guided trail walks, or fall related activities for adults and/or children. We recently attended a children’s program about squirrels burying their nuts for fall. My son loved it.

5. Go apple picking

Have fun trying out different kinds of apples.

6. Visit a pumpkin patch

Pumpkin patches aren’t what they used to be…it’s easy to spend a few hours hanging at the pumpkin patch while the kids jump off the hay tower, or slide down the tube slide.

7. Pick pumpkins

We have been to a few pumpkin patches this year, and surprisingly, haven’t picked any pumpkins, just enjoyed the activities. This means that picking pumpkins gives us another activity to do as a family.

8. Read a fall/scary themed book

If you like to read, find a book with a fall theme, or scary book to get you more into the mood of the season.

9. Watch fall Hallmark movies

Hallmark movies are no longer only for Christmas. I love to turn these on when I’m making dinner or just want to chill. Plus, I don’t feel bad if the kids watch them either.

10. Do a fall craft

Find something fallish that you (no kids) want to create. It could be a wreath or a painting. Anything to help you soak in the feeling of the season. Personally, I love to cross-stitch. I made the fall family portrait below. I loved using the vibrant colors to stitch the leaves on the trees.

11. Bring out the fall/Halloween books

We keep our fall/Halloween books with our fall decorations. The boys are always excited to see the books and read their favorites.

12. Search your neighborhood for creepy decorations

Since it gets dark early this time of year, it’s fun to have dinner, then pile in the car to search for the scariest decorations. If you are really brave, you could take a nighttime walk and check out the decorations.

13. Visit the Halloween store

Browse your local Halloween store, or walk around Target or Walmart and check out the latest decorations and costumes. Visit these stores the day after Halloween and buy decorations at a deep discount.

14. Make a treat with apples

Applesauce, apple tarts, apple pie, apple crisp, warm apple cider. So many options!

15. Go to the zoo

Check out the animals when it’s a bit cooler out and enjoy the fall foliage. Take advantage of Zoo Boo if your zoo offers it.

16. Decorate your house

My kids love decorating day. I bring up the bins of fall/Halloween decorations, then I have to just hold my tongue as they place stuff all over the house.

17. Go to Dollar Tree

Give your kids a few dollars each (or they can bring their own money) and let them pick out a few decorations at Dollar Tree.

18. Have a Halloween movie night

Turn of the lights, grab some candy and popcorn and watch a (age appropriate) Halloween movie.

19. Host a Neighborhood football game

We did this for the first time this fall. It was an official football game with a painted field, goal posts, and timed quarters. This was so much fun it’s going to become an annual event.

20. Visit a Harvest Festival

Look at your local events and see if there’s a Harvest Festival around. The festival is a great way to celebrate the fall season, and there are usually lots of things for kids to do.

21. Take a Hayride

With the popularity of pumpkin patches, you can usually find a hayride pretty easily this time of year. This is one of the most popular activities with my kids.

22. Enjoy a Pumpkin Spice Latte

I couldn’t go through this list without mentioning a pumpkin spice latte.

23. “Boo” your neighbors

If you aren’t sure what this means, go here. This is a fun way to share the Halloween spirit and the kids think it’s the greatest thing.

24. Jump in a leave piles

Get the kids involved in raking the leaves by allowing them to jump in the piles.

25. Burn a fall scented candles

Nothing says fall more than an apple scented candle. I have mine burning right now as I write this!

26. Walk through a corn maze

You can find one of these at almost any pumpkin patch. Let the kids take the lead and see what happens!

27. Enjoy apple cider donuts

Such a yummie treat!

28. Listen to Halloween music

Find a Halloween music playlist and enjoy it throughout your day.

29. Create a fall cocktail/mocktail

Search Pinterest to find your perfect fall cocktail/mocktail. Enjoy it during your Halloween movie night, or while carving pumpkins!

30. Host a football get together

Invite your favorite people over to enjoy fun food and drinks, while the football game is on. What usually ends up happening is the kids play, the football lovers watch football, and everyone else hangs near the food talking.

31. Make s’mores

Instead of using the traditional chocolate, use Halloween candy to create your original s’more.

32. Do a ghost walk tour

Ghost walk tours are a great way to learn more about the history of your town, while feeling the spooky vibes of the season.

33. Have a bonfire

Try out your new s’more or cocktail/mocktail recipe by the bonfire. Don’t forget to tell ghost stories!

34. Take a fall bike ride

Enjoy all the beauty fall has to offer while getting a little workout in.

35. Roast pumpkin seeds

Carving pumpkins isn’t the same without roasting pumpkin seeds.

36. Make chili

Try a new chili recipe and enjoy it while you are doing #30.

37. Enjoy fall story time at the library

Check your local library for story times. Your little ones can enjoy a fall related story and craft.

38. Try out new crockpot recipes

Fall is the perfect time to get the crockpot back out. Find a new recipe that includes fall favorites like butternut squash, or pumpkin.

Have Fun This Fall

There you have it, 38 things to do this fall. And the best part is, most of them are pretty cheap or free! What activities do you enjoy in the fall? Let me know in the comments below!

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