I also love that fall activities can be as simple or as involved as you want. You can spend the day at an orchard or pumpkin patch, or you can throw on a sweatshirt and take a walk around the neighborhood.
Either way, it gets everyone outside before winter rolls around and we’re all stuck indoors again.
Visit an apple orchard
Apple picking is a fall family favorite in my house. We’re lucky to live near plenty of orchards, so we usually try a different one each year.
Of course, we always come home with far more apples than any family could reasonably eat. That’s part of the fun.
I usually make crockpot applesauce, which is incredibly easy and makes the whole house smell like fall. You can also make apple crisp, bake a pie, put together apple nachos, or just slice them for snacks. And don’t forget the cider donuts. Honestly, those might be half the reason I go.
Head to a pumpkin patch
Yes, you could grab a pumpkin at the grocery store in about five minutes. It’s definitely easier and likely cheaper, but it’s also less fun.
You can let the kids wander around and pick their own pumpkins at a patch, even though one of them will inevitably choose the biggest one in the field and then expect you to carry it.
Many pumpkin patches also have hayrides, games, farm animals, food, and other fall activities, so you can easily make an afternoon of it. Then bring the pumpkins home and carve or paint them another day.
Have a backyard bonfire
There’s something about sitting around a fire when it’s chilly outside that makes even a regular night feel a little more special.
Grab some blankets, break out the s’mores supplies, and let the kids stay outside a little later than usual. You can make dinner over the fire, put on some music, or just sit around and talk.
It doesn’t have to be a whole production. Sometimes s’mores in the backyard on a random Saturday night are enough. We usually end it with a family movie night.
Sometimes s’mores in the backyard on a random Saturday night are enough.
Explore a local corn maze
A corn maze is one of those rare activities that works for a pretty wide range of ages. Little kids think it’s an adventure, and older kids can confidently declare that they know exactly where they’re going right before leading everyone straight into a dead end. (Oh, hey oldest child, I’m looking at you.)
Some farms have smaller mazes for younger kids and harder ones for older kids and adults. If your family is competitive, you can split into teams and see who can get out first.
One thing worth checking before you go is whether the maze becomes haunted at night. That might be a huge selling point for your teenager and an absolute deal breaker for your six-year-old.
And my personal advice: don’t wear your brand new shoes. I learned that lesson the hard way.
Go on a fall hike
I should probably admit that I’m not exactly an outdoors person. I own a sweater that says “Indoorsy,” so that should tell you something.
Still, even I can get behind a fall hike.
You don’t need hiking boots, fancy gear, or a six-mile trail. Find a local park, nature preserve, or wooded trail and go for a walk while the leaves are changing.
With younger kids, give them things to look for along the way. Even a simple nature walk can help kids practice mindfulness without making it feel like exercise.
Older kids may be more willing to come along if they can bring a friend or choose where you go.
You’ll likely want to pack a lunch or snacks and stop somewhere along the way. Fall is one of the few times of year when eating outside doesn’t mean immediately regretting the decision because you’re sweating or fighting off mosquitoes.
Make your own scarecrow
If you have old clothes you’re getting rid of, give them one last job before they go.
You can grab an old pair of jeans, a flannel shirt, some string, and whatever you can find to stuff inside your scarecrow. Leaves work perfectly, and it gives the kids a reason to help rake the yard without realizing you’ve tricked them into doing yard work.
Use a pillowcase for the head and let your kids draw the face. It does not need to look like something you’d see on Pinterest. In fact, the slightly creepy, lopsided scarecrow your kids make themselves is probably going to be a lot more memorable.
The slightly creepy, lopsided scarecrow your kids make themselves is probably going to be a lot more memorable.
Take a drive to see the fall colors
Not every fall outing needs reservations, tickets, or even an actual destination.
When the leaves are near their peak, pile everyone into the car and take a drive somewhere you haven’t explored before. Let the kids pick the music, grab hot chocolate or cider along the way.
Of course, depending on your kids’ ages, “Come look at the beautiful leaves!” may not get them racing toward the car.
If so, give them something to look forward to. Find a small town, farm stand, bakery, overlook, or restaurant you haven’t tried before. You still get your scenic drive, and they get something at the end.
Go on a fall scavenger hunt
If your kids think a walk around the neighborhood sounds boring, turn it into a scavenger hunt. Research has linked time in nature with benefits for kids’ physical activity and mental health.
Before you leave, make a quick list of things to find: a red leaf, an acorn, a pinecone, a squirrel, a pumpkin, a spiderweb, or a bird’s nest.
For older kids, make it a photo scavenger hunt and let them use their phones.
This is also a good one for those weekends when you don’t have time for a big outing, but everyone needs to get out of the house for a while.
Keep it simple
Fall weekends fill up fast. Between sports, school events, birthday parties, and everything else moms are keeping track of, you can start to feel like you need to squeeze in every possible fall activity before the first snowfall.
You really don’t.
Pick the things your family enjoys and skip the rest, and remember to leave a few weekends open for doing absolutely nothing.
Some of my favorite fall afternoons with my kids don’t involve big plans. Sometimes it’s throwing a football in the backyard, jumping in a pile of leaves, or taking a walk before dinner.
You don’t have to make every fall weekend memorable. Get outside when you can, do the things your kids enjoy, and take advantage of the nicer weather.
