Here’s a fall bucket list full of fun fall activities and autumn arts and crafts for kids and adults to enjoy with family, friends, or on their own!
Here’s a list of fun fall activities that make it easy to keep everyone busy with seasonal autumn-themed crafts and activities as the days grow colder and the nights longer. Fall offers a fantastic opportunity for people of all ages to bond with their family and friends, enjoy the great outdoors, and celebrate the beauty of the season. The kid-friendly fall activities on this list are ideal for families with children, teachers, and adults. Many of these autumn-themed ideas are also suitable for couples or groups of friends looking for enjoyable activities to do in the fall. You can even enjoy many of these fall activities on your own if you prefer.
Autumn is one of the best times to get outside to enjoy nature’s seasonal sights, whether the outing is for educational purposes or pleasure. It’s also a great time of year to try a few new fall arts and crafts, as well as other autumn activities that everyone can enjoy. This is not only a printable list of autumn-themed items to check off, but this informative guide also provides an overview of everything you need to know about each fall activity on the list. Try the fun fall activity ideas on the fall bucket list below with your children to support their learning or just for fun. This informative fall activity guide was first published on October 15, 2017. It is regularly updated to enhance the content and ensure it remains current. You might also enjoy these winter activity ideas, which also include a printable list of suggestions to check off.
79 Fun Fall Activities for Kids and Adults:
The gorgeous array of colors, delicious smells, and crisp, cool temperatures make the fall an enjoyable time of year. Who doesn’t love pumpkin spice and boot season? Since there are numerous fun fall activities to enjoy at this time of year, I regularly update the list of autumn activities below, along with the accompanying printable fall bucket list. I recommend hanging one of the beautiful printable lists of autumn-themed ideas from the Rhythms of Play Learning Center somewhere everyone can see!
Update 2025: The printable fall bucket list has been updated once again, and the newest version is now available in the Rhythms of Play Learning Center here: Printable Fall Bucket List. The older version, shown in the photo below, looks lovely on display in your home or classroom. Put one on your refrigerator or bulletin board! The newest version contains general categories for each type of fall activity. The categories make it easier to navigate this handy guide and the corresponding printable bucket list.
The older version of the printable fall bucket list, featured in the photograph below, includes 30 autumn activities. However, the updated list of 79 fall ideas, complete with full descriptions of each activity below, includes more than double the amount of fun fall-themed activities you can try at home or in the classroom. Enjoy checking off these fun fall activities with the kids this season, or use the newest printable autumn bucket list with blanks to easily add any fall activities you enjoy that aren’t on the list.
Printable Fall Bucket List of 79 Autumn-Themed Activities:
Fall is the perfect season for kids to enjoy various fun and festive activities that celebrate the beauty of autumn. Whether picking apples at a local orchard, jumping in a pile of colorful leaves, or sipping on warm apple cider, there are kid-friendly activities for everyone to enjoy.
Print your favorite printable fall bucket list to make the most of the season. As a reminder, you can access both fall bucket list printables in the Rhythms of Play Learning Center HERE–> Printable Fall Bucket List. They include various autumn activities, such as pumpkin carving, nature scavenger hunts, hayrides, and visiting a pumpkin patch.
These printable fall bucket lists can help kids get outside to learn, play, and enjoy a variety of other activities. It’s filled with autumn-themed activities for kids and families, making this beautiful season enjoyable. It will help you enjoy a season of joyful adventures with children or students at home or in the classroom. Groups of friends, couples, and solo adventurers can also enjoy these classic and modern fall activities.
If you have our old printable fall bucket list, you will notice that I’ve made a few adjustments and added several new autumn-themed ideas, making it even easier to use. You can see the latest version in the photograph below. On it, you will find a variety of classic autumn activities for kids and adults of all ages, as well as fun family activities and some new and unique ideas to try.
Autumn Bucket List: 79 Fall Activities, Arts, and Crafts:
I hope you enjoy this updated fall bucket list of fun activities for kids and adults. However, please remember that this is not a mandatory list of fall activities you must do during the season, but rather a collection of autumn-themed ideas you can choose to pursue if you’d like. Enjoy the fall-themed activities that seem fun, and feel free to skip the rest.
Having a bucket list of great ideas makes it easy to plan fall activities with your friends, family, children, or students. Keeping a list of autumn activities nearby also makes it easy to come up with fun things to do in the fall if you ever run out of ideas. You might also enjoy Thanksgiving Traditions: 20 Fun Things to Do on Thanksgiving.
As mentioned previously, the ideas on this list of fall activities have been updated to include several more autumn activity ideas. The newest version has five general category headings for each type of fall activity. The main categories used to separate the fall activities on this massive bucket list of autumn ideas are below:
Fall Bucket List Activity Categories:
- Fall Outdoor Activities for Kids and Adults of all ages
- Festive & Holiday-Themed Fall Activities
- Fall Crafts & Creative Activities
- Fall Food & Drink Fun
- Cozy At-Home Autumn Activities
These categories make it easier to navigate this handy guide and the new corresponding Printable Fall Bucket List. No matter which printable fall activity checklist you choose, each one makes it easy to keep track of the exciting adventures you or your children embark on during this vibrant time of year, promoting family bonding and creating lasting memories. Download and print your printable fall bucket list, head outside, and let the fall fun begin! Scroll down for the step-by-step instructions for each fall art, craft, or activity idea.
22 Fall Outdoor Activities for Kids and Adults of All Ages:
This first fall bucket list category includes fun outdoor activities for kids and adults of all ages to enjoy in the autumn. Get outside to enjoy the fall colors that make this season a magical time of year with the fall outdoor activities below.
1. Go On A Scavenger Hunt:
We have a few fun ideas for fall scavenger hunts. One of my family’s favorite things to do in the autumn, when summer transforms into fall, is to search for the signs of autumn. As the seasons begin to change, the sights and sounds of the changing seasons appear all around. Become aware of the subtle shifts as each season turns into the next.
Or, use this fall scavenger hunt printable, which has pictures representing each autumn-themed item on the list, making it easier for toddlers and preschoolers to use. Another idea is to enjoy one of the bird scavenger hunt ideas in Birding for Kids.
Another fun idea is to search for specific colors, shapes, or textures in nature. For example, my daughter and I see hearts everywhere we go, and we have created a beautiful video of heart-shaped natural treasures, large and small. You can see it HERE–> Heart-Shaped Nature Scavenger Hunt.
Have you ever made a sensory bin with natural materials? Go on a scavenger hunt with the kids to find autumn-themed items to fill a Nature Sensory Bin or basket. Or, learn how to make a Nature Sensory Card for toddlers.
2. Gather Treasures for Nature Crafts:
Autumn is one of the best seasons to make fall nature crafts using natural materials. So, take advantage of the bounty waiting right outside your door. Collect acorns to make acorn marble necklaces, leaves to make leaf art, turkey leaf lanterns for Thanksgiving, or heart mason jars just for fun! Encourage children to go on a nature hunt outdoors to collect materials and to make various nature crafts.
If you find sturdy enough leaves (magnolia leaves work well), you can use them for leaf lacing to help beginners learn how to sew. Alternatively, you can learn how to press and preserve autumn leaves to save them for later use. Here’s a list of several more fall nature craft ideas you can make at home or in the classroom!
3. Visit a Pumpkin Patch:
Visiting a pumpkin patch to select pumpkins and enjoy other autumn amusements is a classic fall adventure for kids and families. My family is fortunate to live in an area where we can visit a new pumpkin patch every year; however, we have our favorites. Explore rows of pumpkins to find the perfect one for carving or cooking. Many pumpkin patches also offer corn mazes, games, cider, and hayrides, making it easy to check off even more of the fall activity ideas listed below in one fun day. Plan a visit to the pumpkin patch to go pumpkin picking with your family or classroom this fall.
4. Find Your Way Through a Corn Maze:
Navigate through a cornfield that has been turned into a labyrinth with this classic kid-friendly fall activity. Many pumpkin patches often feature a corn maze, while other corn mazes are located on a separate farm or at a different location. Some are themed or have night versions. For example, a few corn maze vendors offer a haunted corn maze for older children and adults, open at night. Visit one if you dare, but beware — Boo! Find a corn maze near you and find your way through it with the whole family!
5. Go on a Hayride:
Traditional hayrides are a classic fall activity in the United States and Canada. Ride through fields or forests on a hay-filled trailer. This fall activity is perfect for families, couples, or Halloween-themed outings. They involve riding a wagon or cart pulled by a tractor, horse, or carriage. You can often find a pumpkin patch with a hayride to do each of these fun fall activities in one fell swoop!
Sometimes, hay rides are provided at pumpkin patches to transport visitors to and from the pumpkin patch, while other times, they are a separate feature at a Fall Harvest Festival or another autumn-themed event. Check your local family resource guide or search for “hayride near me” on Google to find one in or near your city or town.
6. Bonfire Night:
Autumn is an excellent time of year for a bonfire night. Many people celebrate the changing seasons and the autumn equinox or Samhain (mentioned above) by hosting or attending a bonfire celebration. Gather friends and family for a backyard bonfire. Roast marshmallows, make s’mores, and enjoy the crisp autumn air. Learn how to build a campfire and keep everyone safe around a blazing bonfire HERE–> How to Build a Campfire and Keep Everyone Safe.
7. Take Your Camera on a Hike:
Cooler weather and colorful trails make fall the ideal time for hiking. Bring layers and enjoy the scenery. My daughter and I love taking our cameras on hikes and nature walks. The gorgeous array of colors across the landscape in autumn makes it a fantastic time of year to get outside with a camera
. So get outside with the whole family and take pictures of all the gorgeous autumn colors and nature’s seasonal sights!
8. Play in the Falling Autumn Leaves:
Autumn wouldn’t be complete without at least one romp in the leaves. Just like playing in the snow in winter, there are so many fun things to do with fall leaves in the autumn. For example, encourage family or friends to build a leaf-man, or make a leaf baby or person instead of a snowman.
Children love to jump in the leaves in the fall. They also enjoy playing leaf games, such as counting and catching falling leaves. For more fall leaf activity ideas, here’s a list of fun ways to play outside in the leaves that the entire family (or class) can enjoy.
9. Make Leaf Angels:
In the fall, it’s fun to make a leaf angel instead of a snow angel. To make a leaf angle, lie down on the ground in an area covered with fallen autumn leaves. Then, move your arms up and down and your legs side to side to make a leaf angel as shown in the photo below.
10. Rake Leaves:
Raking leaves is a classic fall activity. It can be a burdensome chore, but there are several ways to make it more enjoyable. Take a look at these fun outdoor leaf activities for inspiration.
11. Jump into a Leaf Pile:
Jumping into a leaf pile is one of the many ways to make the chore of raking leaves more fun for everyone. Just look at how happy my daughter is buried in the fresh pile of leaves she jumped into that her father raked in the backyard.
12. Plant Fall Bulbs:
Plant fall bulbs when the soil is cool and moist, ideally about six weeks before the ground freezes, to help roots establish for spring blooms. The best planting time varies by location; in northern areas, plant in September or October, and in southern regions, plant from October through November.
13. Play in the Rain:
It’s fun to play outside on a rainy day. Rainy-day activities don’t have to be confined to the indoors! If it rains where you live in the fall, discover fun things to do in the rain, along with indoor activities and rainy day adventures. Get the kids outside with this list of fun ways to play in the rain this autumn.
14. Spy on Squirrels:
Spending time observing squirrels romp and play is a fun fall activity for kids and adults of all ages. But did you know that one of their most important jobs is to forget where they hid their nuts? The forgotten stores have helped to plant trees across the globe! Click on the link to learn about squirrels and see several fun activities you can try.
15. Go to a Football Game:
Attending a football game, whether it’s a Friday night high school game or a professional game, is a classic fall activity for families or friends to check off their fall bucket list.
16. Enjoy Birdwatching:
My family and I love birding year-round. In the fall, I love to head outside into nature and observe the large flocks of migratory birds passing overhead as they head south for the winter. Birding is an educational activity that children and adults can enjoy together. Check out our giant list of ways to learn about birds in Birdwatching Activities for Kids and Adults.
17. Have a Fall Picnic:
Pack a cozy blanket and a thermos of soup, cider, or hot chocolate, and enjoy lunch in a park among the beautiful falling leaves.
18. Go Apple Picking:
Another fun fall activity for the whole family (or class) is going apple picking. Visiting an apple orchard to collect apples for crafting and baking is an enjoyable and educational farm-to-fork activity for all ages. Check out these “Apple Orchard Field Trip Ideas” for a fun list of apple activities, crafts (such as this apple craft and this apple tree craft), and recipes (like apple pie oatmeal) to enjoy the fruits of your labors in several different creative ways!
19. Visit a Petting Zoo:
Going to a petting zoo is a great fall activity for classrooms and families with young children. Toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergartners enjoy feeding and petting animals, whether at a farm, a fall festival, or an autumn fair.
20. Fall Camping Trip:
Fall camping offers few bugs, cooler temperatures, and cold nights with star-filled skies. Park warm gear and hot drinks to keep everyone warm and happy.
21. Go for a Scenic Ride to Look at Fall Foliage:
Take a scenic drive, hike, or bike ride to enjoy the brilliant red, orange, and yellow foliage. Peak times vary by region. Many areas offer fall foliage train tours that take you through forests and mountains, providing breathtaking views.
22. Watch a Storm Come In:
If it’s safe to do so, observe an approaching storm, or one going by at a distance, with all of your senses. Notice how the change in weather feels, smells, looks, and tastes.
13 Festive and Holiday-Themed Fall Activities:
The ideas in this section are all festive holiday-themed fall activities you can enjoy. The fall activities for families and friends below encompass a range of fall celebrations from various cultural traditions.
1. Celebrate the Fall Equinox:
The autumnal equinox, also known as Mabon, occurs in September and marks the astronomical beginning of fall in the Northern Hemisphere. Learn all about the fall equinox and fun ways to celebrate the start of this glorious season by visiting the link above!
2. Attend a Fall Festival:
Many towns host fall fairs that feature crafts, food trucks, live music, local vendors, games, and other autumn-themed attractions. Celebrate the fall at an autumn harvest festival in your local area. Farms, cities, churches, and local schools in many regions often host annual fall festivals for the community to enjoy. Check your local listings or Google “Fall Festival Near Me” to find one near you!
3. Enjoy an Oktoberfest Celebration:
Attend a German-style festival with bratwurst, pretzels, beer, and live polka music. Not all Oktoberfest celebrations are kid-friendly. Do some research before going if you are considering bringing children.
4. Carve a Pumpkin:
Create spooky, friendly, or funny jack-o’-lantern faces by carving pumpkins. Don’t forget to save the seeds for roasting! If you have toddlers or preschoolers too young to carve a pumpkin, help them decorate play-dough pumpkins, or make a Glowing Halloween Pumpkin Sensory Bottle instead.
5. Dress Up for Halloween:
People have come up with millions of creative, scary (and not-so-scary) ways to dress up—whether to go trick-or-treating or attend a Halloween costume party. Dress up and enjoy the fun however you like to celebrate it!
6. Host or Attend a Costume Party:
Host or attend a themed costume party for Halloween. DIY costumes and themed snacks help make the occasion even more memorable.
7. Enter a Costume Parade or Contest:
If you’re feeling brave or love the costume you put together for Halloween, consider entering a costume parade or contest. Otherwise, watching either of these Halloween events can be fun for the whole family, especially if you know someone participating.
8. Trick or Treating:
On Halloween night, children dress up in costumes and go door-to-door to collect candy. When they reach each door, they knock or ring the doorbell. When someone answers, they say, “Trick or Treat,” and are most often given candy, a toy, or another allergy-friendly handout alternative.
9. Visit a Haunted House or Corn Maze:
Take the whole family (if you have older children), or go with a group of friends to a professional haunted house, corn maze, or other spooky local attraction.
10. Celebrate Samhain:
Samhain is one of the four midpoints or cross-quarter days that fall within the seasonal wheel of the year and is celebrated between the fall equinox and the winter solstice. Samhain is celebrated as a time to honor ancestors, light a bonfire, and engage in several other fall activities, such as dressing up for Halloween or carving a pumpkin. Learn more about Samhain, and discover fun ways to celebrate it here: Samhain Celebration Ideas.
11. Dia De Los Muertos Celebration:
Honor loved ones by participating in or learning about this Mexican holiday featuring altars, marigolds, and sugar skulls.
12. Go on a Lantern Walk:
An autumn lantern walk is a traditional fall celebration typically held as the days grow shorter and the nights grow longer, leading up to the Winter Solstice. It is an autumn tradition celebrated to inspire a connection to the rhythms of nature, community, and the light within. Use the traditional lantern crafts, songs, and celebration ideas listed HERE to create a lantern festival at your home, school, or community.
13. Enjoy a Friendsgiving or Thanksgiving Dinner:
Gather with friends, family, and loved ones to enjoy a hearty meal for Friendsgiving or Thanksgiving. Include traditional dishes like roasted turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie, or make a vegan or vegetarian alternative. Inviting guests to bring a dish featuring locally grown or sourced foods to share will ensure there is plenty of food for everyone. Discover recipes and additional Thanksgiving activities in this informative guide about Thanksgiving traditions.
17 Fall Crafts and Creative Activities:
Here are several autumn-themed arts, crafts, DIY projects, and creative activities to enjoy in the fall.
1. Create a Fall Nature Table:
A nature table or shelf is a designated area in the home dedicated to showcasing nature and the natural world. Items collected in the natural environment or objects representing nature are placed on the table to be learned about, played with, admired, and enjoyed.
We change our nature table as the seasons change to reflect changes happening in the great outdoors. Some items are added and removed throughout the year, while others are displayed consistently. Learn more about creating a fall nature table HERE –> How to Make a Fall Nature Table.
Related: Acorn Peg Dolls
2. Paint with AUTUMN Colors:
Paint with autumn or fall colors as a process art activity. Invite children to paint with watercolor, tempera, or finger paints using various autumn colors. Or, try any of the fall art ideas listed below!
- Invite children to paint a 2-color wet-on-wet watercolor painting with yellow and red.
- Use watercolors to paint a maple, oak, or beech autumn leaf.
- Make a fall tree art collage.
- Create an apple button tree.
- Paint a harvest pumpkin or a Halloween pumpkin.
- Invite children to create a four-season handprint tree with fingerprint autumn leaves in one corner of the painting, or use one canvas or a piece of cardstock to make a fall handprint tree.
- Try these Fall Art Projects or these Halloween Art Projects!
3. Carve, Paint, or Decorate a Pumpkin:
Decorate, paint, or carve a pumpkin this autumn. Pumpkin carving and no-carve pumpkin decorating are classic fall activities for the whole family to enjoy! For fun and easy creative pumpkin decorating ideas, check out the pumpkin carving tips and ideas included in these Pumpkin Patch Ideas and this list of Fall Nature Crafts. You might also enjoy decorating for Halloween while you’re at it. The fun Halloween decoration ideas mentioned below include several great DIY Halloween decor ideas and easy DIY tutorials.
4. Decorate for Fall, Halloween, or Both:
Decorating for fall is a classic autumn activity. Put out all the stops this season by decorating the house, front porch, and yard–inside and out–for Halloween. If Halloween isn’t your thing, consider decorating for fall harvest instead with hay bales, pumpkins, scarecrows, and wreaths, as well as garlands made from fall leaves. Or, do both, decorate for fall and Halloween with the fantastic fall decorations below. Try any of these ideas to get started:
DIY Halloween Decoration Ideas:
Decorate your home, yard, or porch for Halloween with the DIY decoration ideas below:
- Easy Halloween Ghost Crafts & Decorations
- DIY Halloween Porch Decor
- Giant Halloween DIY Spider Web Decoration
- Halloween Spider Magnet Crafts
- DIY Halloween Door Decor
- Spider Egg Sac Halloween Decoration
- Gorgeous DIY Halloween Luminaries and Lanterns
DIY Fall Decoration Ideas:
Add rustic flair to your home or porch with natural fall decorations. Decorate for fall with corn husks and indian corn, pumpkins, gourds, hay bales, scarecrows, and real or faux leaf garlands and autumn wreaths. Make a thankful tree and leaf luminaries to use as a centerpiece for your table, or use gourds, candles, and dried flowers to make one. Here are a few DIY fall decorations you can try:
- DIY Leaf Lanterns and Luminaries
- Best Gratitude and Thankful Tree Ideas
- Acorn Peg Dolls
- DIY Acorn Marble Ornaments
5. Make a Fall Leaf Crown:
Here’s a classic fall activity for both young and old! Make a fall leaf crown or tiara with children at home or in the classroom this autumn. The autumn crown craft tutorial linked above includes a printable with two autumn leaf crown templates on a single page. Alternatively, you can use the instructions in the tutorial to construct one with a recycled paper bag as the base if you prefer. The printable leaf crown and instructions for assembling it can be found here: How to Make a Fall Leaf Crown.
6. Create a Fall Nature Mandala:
Make a nature mandala with natural treasures collected in autumn, such as fall leaves, with the step-by-step instructions here: How to Make a Nature Mandala.
7. Make a Fall Wreath:
Use leaves, pinecones, acorns, and other seasonal decorations to make a festive autumn wreath for your door. A few excellent options are included in these fall nature craft ideas.
8. Press and Preserve Autumn Leaves:
Preserving fall leaves is a simple fall activity for young and old alike. Learn how to press and preserve autumn leaves with this informative guide to leaf preservation.
9. Make Luminaries or Fall Lanterns:
Halloween luminaries and fall lanterns are fun craft ideas for kids and adults during the fall season. We have a fun list of spooky and friendly DIY Halloween Lanterns you can make with children at home or in the classroom. You might also enjoy making these gorgeous fall leaf luminaries, as seen in the photograph below. Or make Turkey Leaf Luminaries, Heart Lanterns, or any other luminary you like. Then, use them to go on a Fall Lantern Walk!
10. Create Leaf Rubbings:
Leaf rubbing is a classic nature craft and art activity for kids of all ages. Invite children on a nature hunt to collect leaves for this art activity. First, gather fresh or fallen leaves with various shapes and textures to provide children with a range of options to explore. Then, follow these step-by-step leaf rubbing instructions:
- Place a leaf on a tabletop or another work surface.
- Position a piece of thin or lightweight paper over the leaf.
- Gently rub the long side of a crayon over the leaf to see its textures appear on the paper. Slow, gentle strokes generally produce better results than fast and hard rubbing—but encourage children to experiment and have fun.
- Continue to rub the crayon over the leaf until the entire shape is revealed on the paper.
- Remove the leaf from under the paper.
- Leave it as is to create a single leaf rubbing, or place another leaf under the paper and continue with the same color, a complementary color, or a contrasting color.
- Continue to place leaves under the paper and rub with a crayon or pastel until the leaf rubbing art is complete.
11. Make a Gratitude or Thankful Tree:
Whether you celebrate the Thanksgiving tradition in your home during the autumn or not, the fall is an excellent time to make a thankful tree. Make your favorite to bring gratitude into your home or classroom this fall.
My family enjoys creating gratitude trees in various fun ways at home and through our homeschooling. Try making a thankful tree with real autumn leaves or clay leaves, as shown in the photograph below. Alternatively, you can use this printable thankful or gratitude tree, or create a gratitude mobile, banner, or garland as an alternative to a gratitude tree.
12. Crochet or Knit something:
Get cozy with a bundle of yarn to create warm, autumn-inspired accessories such as scarves, hats, mittens, and sweaters for yourself or your loved ones. Alternatively, start knitting and crocheting homemade gifts for loved ones to prepare for the upcoming holiday season.
13. Make a Pinecone Bird Feeder:
Roll pinecones in peanut butter and birdseed, then hang them outside for your feathered friends. Feeding birds when food becomes scarce in the late fall and throughout the winter is an excellent kindness activity for kids and adults.
14. Create Fall Nature Crafts:
There are several more fantastic nature crafts you can make in the fall, in addition to the beautiful autumn leaf crafts listed above. As previously mentioned in “Gather Treasures for Nature Crafts,” you can create acorn marble necklaces or acorn ornaments, and many other beautiful nature crafts in the fall. Here’s a list of several more fall nature crafts you can make with acorns, leaves, pinecones, sticks, walnuts, and more at home or in the classroom!
15. Make Fun Fall-Themed Sensory Crafts:
If you have young children around, such as toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergartners, consider creating some fun fall-themed sensory crafts for them to play with and enjoy. Some of my daughter’s favorite fall sensory toys are this see-through rainstick and this sensory bottle with swirling autumn leaves. She also enjoys her Halloween pumpkin and glowing ghost sensory bottles. It can also be fun to decorate play-dough pumpkins with children in the fall.
16. Start Making Cards and Gifts:
Do you enjoy making homemade gifts to give to friends and family during the holidays? In that case, fall is an excellent time to start planning projects and ordering supplies to ensure everything is ready in time for the Christmas season. For inspiration, please explore these handmade Christmas cards and homemade gift ideas.
17. Make Homemade Ornaments:
Since Christmas occurs at the very beginning of winter, late fall is the perfect time to make a new homemade ornament for your Christmas tree. Visit this list of DIY Christmas Ornaments for ideas.
13 Fall Food and Drink Fun:
Enjoy delicious autumn foods and traditional beverages with the fall food activities below:
1. Roast Marshmallows:
Roasting marshmallows is a classic fall activity enjoyed by both kids and adults. Children love to roast marshmallows around campfires in the campground, a fire pit in the backyard, and autumn bonfire celebrations. You can even roast them in your kitchen if you prefer. Get out the extra-long marshmallow skewers and a bag of marshmallows and roast them over a fire to put a smile on a kid’s face today!
2. Make Hot Chocolate:
When temperatures begin to chill in the fall, hot chocolate is the perfect solution. Make a cup to enjoy with others to share the warmth of family or friendship on a cold fall day.
3. Bake Pumpkin Bread:
Who doesn’t love the smell of pumpkin baking in the fall? Pumpkin pies and pumpkin bread are two of the most classic pumpkin recipes. Learn how to make homemade pumpkin puree to give your fall recipes a fresh autumn taste. My family’s favorite pumpkin recipe is pumpkin cranberry bread. Try it today! I guarantee your family will clamor for its tangy-sweet goodness every autumn, just like mine! Pumpkin cranberry bread also makes an excellent side dish for the Thanksgiving table.
4. Make Homemade Cranberry Sauce:
For many people, making homemade cranberry sauce is a cherished family tradition that complements their Thanksgiving dinner or another significant fall meal. Discover an easy, step-by-step recipe in ‘Thanksgiving Traditions’.
5. Bake Pies (such as pumpkin, Apple, and Pecan):
Baking seasonal pies is a traditional fall activity. Use fresh-picked apples to make apple pie, a classic autumn dessert from scratch. You might also enjoy making a fruit crisp with fresh apples. You can also bake a pumpkin pie with homemade pumpkin puree, or a pecan pie, to celebrate the flavors of fall. Each of these fall pie options is a Thanksgiving favorite.
6. Brew Hot Apple Cider:
Simmer apple cider with cinnamon sticks and cloves for a warming fall beverage. This fun fall family activity is even better when paired with apple picking.
7. Roast Pumpkin Seeds:
Season and bake the seeds from your carved pumpkin for a crunchy, healthy snack.
8. Make Caramel Apples:
Dip fresh apples in melted caramel and roll in toppings such as nuts, sprinkles, or chocolate.
9. Pop Corn:
Enjoy some freshly popped popcorn while watching a family movie night or a movie night with friends.
10. Try New Fall Recipes:
Experiment with seasonal ingredients like squash, apples, cranberries, and sweet potatoes to create new, seasonal dishes. Or try a new fall dish you haven’t yet made.
11. Visit a Farmers’ Market:
Fall produce includes pumpkins, corn, apples, squash, and greens, which are perfect for fresh, homemade autumn meals.
12. Make Soup:
Bring warmth to your household and family table with a hot pot of fresh soup with locally sourced seasonal ingredients.
13. Host or Attend a Chili Cook-off:
Invite friends and family over to compete in making the best fall chili recipe to win this friendly competition.
14 Cozy At-Home Autumn Activities:
This final category of fall activities consists of things you can do at home with family, friends, or alone when you need some solo downtime. Happy fall!
1. Share Jokes or Scary Stories on a Dark Night:
One of my favorite things to do as the days grew darker as a child was to tell jokes and scary stories on dark autumn nights with my brothers. We would turn off the lights and do our best to scare or make each other laugh. Are the kids driving you crazy now that they are stuck indoors after dinner? Please encourage them to give this activity a try! (Psst–sending them off with a big bowl of popcorn and a book of scary stories or a joke book always helps!)
2. Read Books About the Fall:
Reading books that reflect the season is a great way to help our children learn about this beautiful planet’s seasonal rhythms. Check out this impressive collection of fall books for kids to see a collection of autumn-themed stories children will love, full of our family favorites!
Related: Books That Teach Kids Important Life Lessons
3. Do a Puzzle:
As the daylight dwindles and people begin spending more time indoors when the number of daylight hours becomes fewer, choose a new puzzle to assemble. Working on a puzzle can help pass the time, facilitate conversation, and make even the quietest moments, when no one is saying anything, feel more relaxed and natural.
4. Give Thanks and Practice Gratitude:
Practice gratitude in your home all year long with these activities and crafts, which you can enjoy at any time. Sharing gratitude is a year-round activity, not just one to do for Thanksgiving. You might also enjoy this massive list of Thanksgiving gratitude activities and crafts!
5. Host a Family Game Night:
Gather family or friends for board games, warm drinks, and snacks on a dark and chilly fall night. Playing board games helps keep spirits high as the days grow shorter.
6. Curl Up with a Good Book and a Warm Blanket:
Is there anything better than curling up with a good book and a warm blanket? As the nights grow colder and darker, spend your time with a few good books! Here’s a list of chapter books for kids that adults also enjoy. Read them aloud to your children as the light continues to dim, or enjoy them between the warm blankets of your bed on a cold autumn night. I genuinely enjoy reading great children’s books aloud to my daughter, which has greatly benefited her homeschool education. Besides, who doesn’t love reading great children’s novels like Harry Potter, The Chronicles of Narnia, or The Lord of the Rings?
7. Start a Journal:
The fall is when we become more introspective and begin to turn inward. Start a personal journal to write down your thoughts, or begin a gratitude journal.
8. Plan Friend or Family Movie Nights:
The fall is an excellent time of year to plan a regular movie night, whether at home, at a friend’s or family’s house, or at a movie theater.
9. Enjoy a Movie Marathon:
Spend a day or night bingeing on a single movie series or other series you enjoy.
10. Watch Football:
Watching college or professional football on television is a fall activity that many people enjoy.
11. Make a Simmer Pot:
Bring to a boil, then simmer water with orange peels, cloves, and cinnamon sticks to make your home smell as delicious as the autumn season.
12. Plan a Staycation:
Turn your home into a cozy fall retreat with books, homemade treats, and comfort movies, and plan a few family outings to local tourist spots and other nearby popular locations.
13. Take a Mental Health Day:
Unplug and unwind with self-care activities that recharge you for the season ahead. Practices such as meditation, yoga, and spending time in nature make perfect options. Or snuggle up with a blanket and a warm drink for some relaxing, quiet time.
14. Give Someone You LOVE a Warm HUG:
As warm summer days give way to cool, crisp autumn days, hug someone you love. Share the warmth and love, bringing good feelings of affection to all. I think we can all use a few more hugs these days!
Best Fall Activities and Crafts:
We hope this fantastic collection of autumn activities helps you enjoy this gorgeous and magical season! Get the printable fall bucket list HERE–> Printable Fall Bucket List.
Or, get all four of our seasonal bucket lists in Home & School Tools for Kids—> HERE! Alternatively, you can make your own Fall Bucket List filled with the autumn-themed activities that YOU enjoy MOST with the step-by-step instructions below!!
Related: How to Plan a Powerful Daily Routine
How to Make a Fall Bucket List:
Fill your fall bucket list with all the fun fall activities YOU like the BEST! Here’s how:
- Brainstorm your favorite things to do in the fall—remember to include a few of the ideas above!
- Please write down your fall bucket list, or type it up and print it out.
- Share your fall activity list with your family or classroom, and post it so everyone can see it. (If you post your fall bucket list to your blog or storefront, please link to this page as one of the sources of your inspiration because it’s the right thing to do. Thanks for keeping the World Wide Web a supportive place.)
- Incorporate each fall activity on your list into your seasonal household rhythms to make time for it as a family.
Remember, this is not a ‘must-do’ list, but a ‘can-do’ list. If it’s not fun, don’t do it. Instead, choose the fall activities you want this autumn and leave the rest behind! I hope you enjoy a fall season full of joy, togetherness, and gratitude!
Learn more about Nell Regan Kartychok, author of this list of fun fall activities HERE, and Rhythms of Play HERE!
More Seasonal Activity Bucket Lists:
If You Liked This List of Fall Family Activities, You Might Also Enjoy:
- Thanksgiving Traditions: 20 Fun Things to Do on Thanksgiving
- Meaningful Christmas Family Traditions for a Magical Holiday
- Easter Family Traditions to Start with Your Family
- Get Outside and Connect
- How to Plan Your Daily Routine
- Self-Regulation Strategies for Kids.
- How to Raise a Helper
