Ultimate Guide: 85 Fall Activities and Ideas for the Whole Family

Fall is my favorite time of the year! There is so much going on and so many fun things to do. But as a mom, I’ve taken on a whole new meaning to it.

Yes, fall comes with the back to school and then Halloween, and before you know it, it’s Thanksgiving and Christmas! And while those things are a part of what makes it so fun I’ve found that there is so much more about those things I love.

Celebrating and enjoying fall with the whole family hits different.

Now that my kids are old enough to really participate I find this urge to want to do it all. And to be honest, this big ‘ol list doesn’t totally help that. So I just want to be clear right now, mama.

YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO IT ALL!

Don’t be fooled by social media and pinterest. Enjoying the fall and the holidays doesn’t have to mean hitting every event. Instead, I’d encourage you to look at the list and find the things that stand out to you that really excite you. The ones that don’t make you say, “Ugh, that sounds so fun and I know we should do them. But I already feel burned out.”

Choose the joyful activities and then here’s my tip that makes fall hit different for me.

Look for the ways to be intentional, present, and grateful

The thing about fall that I love with my kids is that there is such a great opportunity to really connect with my kids and teach them. There’s so many great fall activities, but sooooo many more teaching opportunities and chances to connect.

There are so many opportunities to practice gratitude and engage them in it and really hear what’s going on in their little minds.

Sometimes I hear, “Mama, I’m so grateful for my T-rex!” and I LOVE that! That’s what consumes their world right now and I find it so grounding because I don’t know about you but I need those breaks for the big world problems.

Mindfulness for the whole family in your fall activities

Part of being present is practicing mindfulness. Even though my kids might be bouncing around (hellllloooooo ADHD), I try to be mindful.

I try to take in the moment as it is, not as I think it should be.

And when you do this you will see your perspective and your mindset shift. You will find yourself enjoying and taking in more moments of your life instead of saying “when …. happens, then I’ll be happy.”

Thes family activities truly are good for the whole family. But it’s embracing gratitude, the moment, taking in the essence of my kids as they shade one more layer of being little, watching them learn how to practice their own thankfulness and gratitude, and even though it’s busy there is a sense of slowing down. That’s what I love!

I’m so excited to choose some of these activities with the kids this year! Need help organizing your week and activities? Check out my weekly planner here.

Let me know in the comments what you did and tag me over on instagram @workinhardasamother

Ultimate Guide: 85 Fall Activities and Ideas for the Whole Family

Fall

1.Visit a pumpkin patch.

2.Go apple picking.

3.Collect colorful fall leaves.

4.Create leaf rubbings.

5.Have a picnic in the park.

6.Go on a nature hike.

7.Build a fort with fallen branches or indoor with blankets.

8.Bake apple pies together.

9.Make leaf crowns.

10.Have a family photoshoot in fall foliage.

11.Visit a corn maze.

12.Carve or decorate pumpkins.

13.Roast marshmallows over a bonfire.

14.Go on a hayride.

15.Create leaf art.

16.Paint pumpkins.

17.Explore a nature center.

18.Create pumpkins with paper plate craft.

19.Make pinecone bird feeders.

20.Make paper plate scarecrows.

21.Apple print stamping with apple halves.

22.Make a fall wreath.

23.Make homemade apple cider.

24.Create a fall-themed scavenger hunt.

25.Bake pumpkin bread.

26.Make homemade soup with fall vegetables.

27.Decorate the house with fall crafts.

28.Have a family game night.

29.Visit a local farm.

30.Bake cinnamon rolls.

31.Try geocaching in fall.

32.Go camping.

33.Have a backyard campfire.

34.Try leaf painting/stamping.

35.Explore a new hiking trail.

36.Create a fall-themed playlist.

37.Make caramel apples.

38.Have a cozy reading night.

39.Visit a historic site.

40.Do a puzzle together with your favorite warm drinks

41.Have a backyard picnic.

42.Try your hand at making homemade jam.

43.Visit a local zoo.

44. Go on a family road trip.

45. Try a new apple recipe.

46. Have a family bike ride.

47. Create a fall-themed photo album.

48. Make leaf garlands.

49. Take a scenic drive to enjoy the fall foliage.

50. Explore a nearby lake.

Halloween

51. Decorate the house for Halloween.

52. Carve spooky pumpkins.

53. Go trick-or-treating.

54. Have a Halloween movie night.

55. Host a costume contest.

56. Visit a haunted house or corn maze.

57. Gift a friend’s family a “boo” basket with Halloween treats

58. Make Halloween-themed crafts.

59. Create a spooky scavenger hunt.

60. Bake Halloween-themed cookies.

61. Tell ghost stories around a campfire.

62. Have a pumpkin decorating contest.

63. Visit a pumpkin-themed festival.

64. Play Halloween charades.

65. Make caramel or candy apples.

66. Create a Halloween-themed photo booth.

67. Try making a Halloween-themed dinner.

68. Have a Halloween dance party.

Thanksgiving

69. Make handprint turkeys.

70. Create a thankful jar.

71. Bake pumpkin or pecan pie.

72. Write thank-you notes.

73. Host a family Thanksgiving dinner.

74. Decorate the table with DIY place cards.

75. Volunteer at a local shelter.

76. Make a gratitude tree.

77. Have a pumpkin roll contest.

78. Watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade.

79. Try making homemade stuffing.

80. Create a Thanksgiving craft corner.

81. Make turkey-shaped cookies.

82. Tell family stories and traditions.

83. Have a family football game.

84. Play Thanksgiving bingo with the whole family.

85. Make a “Thanksgiving leftovers” sandwich.

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