What to do with your family this Fall – The Ultimate Fall Bucket List

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I don’t think that I fully appreciated the amazing things that fall has to offer until I was much older in life, after I became a parent. I’ve always known people who were obsessed with the season, praising pumpkin spice EVERYTHING and dying with excitement waiting to decorate their homes for the season of gourds, cornstalks and, of course, pumpkins! It always seemed a bit over the top to me. What can I say? I guess I saw the fall as the time when school started. I was busy with extracurricular activities and didn’t really have the time to sit back and soak in the gloriousness of fall.

But I can tell you, now I get it!

I’m just as fall obsessed as the people I used to think were a bit over the top! I adore apple picking with my family, meandering through rows of apple trees. I love taking pictures of my kids in a vibrant field of sunflowers! I love trying new hearty soup recipes and making pumpkin pancakes for breakfast! I honestly can’t get enough of roasting marshmallows on a bonfire, cozy socks, visiting orchards and going on autumn hikes to see the fall foliage. It now feels like the season of comfort and cozy if you ask me.

Even if you’re on the fence about fall…

This post will inspire you to get out (or stay in!) and enjoy the beautiful season of fall with these fun family activities!

A final note: When creating this list, I did try to keep this unique time of social distancing in mind. While I am usually on the lookout for fall festivals and fairs to enjoy with my family, these items are not on my list. This year I don’t know that festivals will be going on or that I will feel comfortable attending them. So, this Fall Bucket List contains family activities that can be done in a safe, socially distanced way. Make informed decisions and use your own judgment to decide what you feel comfortable with. And please, have fun!

THE Ultimate Fall Bucket List – Fall Activities for Your Family!

Go apple picking
Make apple pie – Check out my post on “How to Get Kids in the Kitchen!” It is possible and oh so rewarding!
Can apple sauce
Create a hay maze at home
Visit a corn maze
Plant mums
Buy gourds to let your kids explore
Visit a pumpkin patch
Paint pumpkins
Hammer golf tees into a pumpkin
Carve a pumpkin and let kids explore “pumpkin guts”
Make pumpkin pie from scratch
Roast pumpkin seeds
Color pumpkin seeds for art –“Name Activity with Colorful Pumpkin Seeds” a post by Fun-a-Day
Jump in a giant leaf pile
Build a bonfire and roast marshmallows
Make caramel apples – dip them in chocolate and roll in peanuts for some added deliciousness!
Go on a hike to see the fall foliage
Make art with leaves – Autumn Leaf Butterflies and Dragon Flies from “One Little Project at a Time”
Use dried corn to make print art – rolling the cob through paint
Visit a farm
Go camping
Go through wardrobe and donate what no longer fits
Plan for Christmas – Check out my post “DIY Christmas Gifts for Kids to Make and Give this Holiday Season” You’ll find inspiration for kids activities that double as amazing gifts to give this holiday season! Homemade gifts are the best!
Take fall-themed family pictures
Watch It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown or read the book It’s The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown
Have a family game night with snacks – Our family favorite games are DEFINITELY Kids Picture Charades and Kids Sequence ! Fun for the whole family!
Play football with family in the backyard
Make hot apple cider in the crockpot
Go on a picnic in the park
Go on a hayride
Make fall minestrone soup – Oh my goodness, yum!
Get books about the change in seasons from the library
Do a fall-themed scavenger hunt
Go to a drive-in movie
Have a make-your-own pizza night
Make a “no sew” blanket
Make a fall wreath to display
Make a Thankful Tree to add to throughout the season
Make cinnamon play dough
Paint rocks and hide them around your neighborhood using this rock painting kit or acrylic paint and a sealer
Take a family bike ride
Make apple print paintings
Decorate your front porch – use pumpkins and corn stalks!
Take a trip to the zoo
Donate toys
Wear cozy socks
Make chili with cornbread
Cook a meal for another family
Make cinnamon rolls
Visit your local Farmers Market
Buy sunflowers or visit a sunflower patch
Make Candy Corn Popcorn
Outdoor Movie Night – socially distanced with friends!
Put plastic film on windows – my kids actually love helping with this by using the hairdryer and playing with the backing on the tape that comes in the kits. Putting the plastic film on the windows helps the windows to be more energy efficient in the winter, but you have to put it up when it’s still warm. Definitely worth putting on your list!
Create Christmas wish lists
Make butternut squash soup
Cuddle under a cozy blanket
Make your own Halloween costumes
Celebrate the harvest
Learn a little about homesteading and the pioneers
Write happy, “I’m Thankful for you!” notes to your friends
Bring a fresh baked dessert to a neighbor
Read together outside
Rake leaves for a neighbor or family member
Go horseback riding
Make pumpkin pancakes – These are THE BEST pumpkin pancakes! My daughter is always asking for them and I am happy to oblige!
Do fall cleaning
Make a blanket fort
Collect pinecones
Make a pinecone wreath with painted pinecones
Collect leaves to do crayon rubbings
Make granola or trail mix
Fly a kite
UNPLUG for 24 hours!

If you couldn’t tell, I really do love fall! This season of change and appreciation is a great time to re-center our perspectives. It’s a time for fun family activities and spending time together. Fall is a time to practice being thankful and appreciating the simple things in life like nature and the harvest of delicious food. Take time to be outdoors and take time to care for the people around you. We could all use help from time to time. Use this wonderful season to teach our kids about generosity and the joy that comes from the little things in life.

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