Fall is finally upon us! I have been waiting for this season all year. For as long as I can remember I have been making a fall bucket list and can’t wait to share it with you!
Luke and I both agree that having traditions or things to look forward to every year is important. Over the years this fall bucket list has grown and changed, especially since having children.
We are so excited to share with you our ultimate fall bucket list. If you are wanting to plan your winter activities too we have a great winter bucket list.
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Fall Bucket list Ideas
Let’s dig into some fun activities to do together as a family, couple, or with friends. Regardless who you are doing them with, you will have fun with the ones you love this fall season.
1. Decorate your house with fall decor.
Our favorite areas to decorate are the front door and the fireplace mantle. We usually go with a fall theme of pumpkins and leaves, but feel free to get creative.
2. Get a seasonal coffee drink (and hot chocolate for the kids).
Getting a seasonal drink at a coffee shop is an excellent way to kick off fall and spend time together as a family. I know this is taboo, but I don’t like pumpkin spice lattes- but I can always find a fall flavored drink I love.
3. Light a fall scented candle.
This is one of my favorite things to do in the fall! It is so fun to pick one or two candles out as a family. Candles are a great way to set the fall mood and give a little extra light to help boost one’s spirits when the days become shorter and darker.
4. Go to your favorite Restaurant.
We always go to our local Indian restaurant every fall. The chai tea and the spices they use are the perfect fall comfort food and drink. Go ahead and visit a restaurant that feels like fall to you. Maybe it is one that has great outdoor seating, or one that has a great fall inspired menu with seasonal local ingredients.
5. Make homemade potpourri.
I can’t get enough of the scents of fall. In a stove pot filled with water add in your favorite fall scents such as orange peels, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, anise pods, and a spring of fresh rosemary. Set it to low heat and simmer for as long as you want. The combination of scents is endless.
6. Visit your local farmers market.
We love going to the farmers market and are a big fan of supporting local farmers and using seasonal ingredients in our meals.
7. Go to a Harvest Party or Fall Festival.
Check your local newspaper or google fall festivals in your area. There are usually a ton!
8. Drink warm apple cider.
Every year we make our own apple cider with an old apple cider press. It is so rewarding to hand turn the apples and see the juice flow. Growing up on an orchard farm I’ve always thought it was important for kids to know where food comes from and how it is made.
9. Visit a Pumpkin Patch.
This is a must do on our fall bucket list. It is one of our favorite outdoor fall activities. Many pumpkin patches have some many fun activities for kids to do.
10. Sit by a fire.
Sitting by the fire is one of my favorite fall activities. It is just so cozy! Of course we always roast marshmallows when we hang out around the fire and tell ghost stories.
11. Go to a corn maze.
If you have older children or teenagers this one is fun. You could have a race and see what group can make it out the fastest- parents against the kids!
12. Play cornhole.
Corn hole is a game where you try and toss a bean bag in a hole in a board. If you’ve never played before, you’re missing out. It is a fun and laid back game.
13. Make s’mores
S’mores are the best treat in the fall. I love making my s’more with a Reese’s peanut butter cup instead of Hersey’s Chocolate. If you haven’t tried this you absolutely need to.
14. Carve or decorate pumpkins.
I am not very creative when it comes to carving pumpkins. I usually stick with carving the classic jack-o-lantern. There are so many templates you can buy if you have trouble getting your creative juices flowing.
If you don’t want a more mess free experience, go ahead and decorate or paint your pumpkins.
15. Go trick-or-treating.
Your fall activities wouldn’t be complete without trick-or-treating and eating candy afterwards.
16. Go to a hot air balloon festival.
This one we added to our list recently and it was fabulous. It was worth getting up early to see them fly in the sky.
17. Go on a fall family road trip.
Even if just for a weekend getaway this one is fun to do. It doesn’t have to be far or extravagant. We love renting a cabin in the mountains and enjoying the crisp fall air as a family.
18. Make a pumpkin pie.
We love homemade pumpkin pie. Bonus if you roast a pumpkin and make your own pumpkin puree.
19. Watch your favorite fall themed movie.
Watching a movie is a relaxing activity to do in the fall. We love watching Stardust!
20. Roast pumpkin seeds.
Don’t forget to save your seeds after carving your pumpkins!
21. Make popcorn balls.
If you have younger kids, making popcorn balls is a quick and easy dessert to make and allows them to get their hands dirty.
22. Make caramel apples.
I love caramel apples. You can get really creative with the toppings too-chopped nuts, sprinkles, crushed candy or crushed cookies. Really the list is endless. Maybe you could have a “build your own caramel apple station” at your dinner party!
23. Take family photos.
Autumn is the perfect time to take your family pictures for your family Christmas photo.
24. Go apple picking
I grew up on an orchard farm so finding an apple orchard is pretty easy. However, there are many u-picks available to pick apples from. Pick some apples and use them in an apple pie, apple sauce, or to press your own warm apple cider.
25. Make a gratitude list.
You can get really creative with your gratitude lists. Traditionally when we have thought of something we are grateful for we wrote it down on a piece of paper and stuck it in a mason jar. On Thanksgiving we each pulled out a paper and read what we were grateful for outload.
26. Go to your state fair.
Many state fairs are held in the fall. There is so much you can do while you are there!
27. Eat a pumpkin or apple cider doughnut.
One of my favorite fall treats is an apple cider doughnut. Nothing beats them!
28. Make chili in the crockpot.
Nothing shouts fall like a warm bowl of chili. We love using the crockpot. This is a must do for working parents.
29. Visit a Haunted house.
This is an activity for older children and teenagers.
30. Go trunk-or treating.
If you can’t trick or treat, trunk-or treating is just as fun! I think it may even beat the traditional trick or treating because all of the cars are completely decked out and you know every car will have candy.
31. Plan a family themed halloween costume.
This one takes some planning, but is so fun to do!
32. Buy or make your Halloween costumes.
There is something special about planning and making your halloween costume especially if you are on a budget. My favorite way of making costumes is to buy pieces of practical clothing the kids can wear again and again.
32. Go on a walk as a family.
Along with getting movement in our day we love going on a walk and seeing all of the fall foliage!
33. Go to a fall carnival.
Carnivals are great family outing that the whole family will love.
34. Make homemade applesauce.
Nothing beats making homemade applesauce. You have the flexibility in picking the apple variety to use and how much sugar you want to add into your recipe.
35. Jump in a pile of leaves.
If you don’t mind repeatedly raking leaves- this is a fun activity for younger children.
36. Go on a family hike.
Taking in the smells and beauty of fall is something I look forward to every year.
37. Have a picnic at a park.
With the cooler weather, having a picnic is a way to take in the fresh air. Maybe have a picnic at a park with a playground so the kids can play.
38. Plant your fall flower bulbs.
This is the time of year to plant your fall bulbs. These bulbs will flower in the spring.
39. Bob for apples.
We had a harvest party when there were lots of young children around. This was a hit. It was fun watching the littles try and get the apples in their mouths. If you have small children try and get smaller sized apples.
40. Go on a hayride.
Hayrides are the perfect way to see the colorful fall foliage around the farm. Many pumpkin patches have hayrides. Enjoy all of the fall activities these places have to offer.
41. Write a letter to a loved one.
Thinking of others and sending them some is a good way to make one’s day. Sit down together as a family and start writing (or drawing pictures if you have young children) to the ones you love.
42. Paint rocks.
On your nature walk find large flat rocks to paint on. The kids will love this fall craft and it can even be used as a doorstop.
43. Play a board game.
If you have older kids, playing a game together on those dark and cold nights is one way to have quality time together.
44. Mix a fall essential oil blend for your diffuser.
If you don’t like candles, making a fall blend for your diffuser is a must. There are so many different scents you could use! My favorites are cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla.
45. Get a halloween piñata.
Who said pinatas are just for birthday parties?! Well folks, fill one up with candy and small toys and let the kids take a whack at it.
46. Get a face painting.
You could do this at home or get it done at your local fall festival, fair, or harvest party.
47. Have a doughnut eating contest.
I love this activity especially when you can’t use your hands. Tie some doughnuts to a string and see who can eat their doughnut the fastest!
48. Pick sunflowers.
Who doesn’t love a cheery sunflower? You can make a sunflower bouquet and display it on your kitchen table.
49. Harvest your fall vegetables.
In the fall we pick all of the vegetables that mature in the fall like our butternut squash and spaghetti squash.
50. Have a gunny sack race.
On your mark, get set, and go! Get your kids energy out by doing a gunny sack race.
51. Go thrifting for fall clothes.
Getting second hand clothes at thrift shops is the best, especially when you find nice items. I usually try and stock up on items of clothing my kids need for the current season.
52. Make homemade pizza.
This one is really fun to do with children. Get them involved by getting them an apron or chef’s hat and allow them to get their hands dirty and help make a delicious meal.
53. Throw a dinner party.
Invite some friends over and enjoy a meal together.
54. Plan a father daughter or mother son date
Spend one on one time with your kids. They will always remember it.
55. Go to a football game.
If you have a local football team nearby, go watch them and root them on!
How to Create the Ultimate Fall Bucket list
The best way to create the ultimate fall bucket list is to sit down as a family and compile a list of the activities you would like to do. I love to display the list on a large chalkboard so that everyone can see it and as each item is completed it gets checked off.
No matter how you display your fall bucket list, the ultimate goal is to enjoy this season with your family.
Love this fall bucket list! I will keep these in mind this Fall. Great article!
Love this list!
Great ideas. I haven’t been to a Pumpkin Patch since I was 6 years old believe it or not. One thing I’m definitely looking forward to this fall is thrift shopping.
Thrift shopping is so much fun! We’ve found so many good things at a fraction of the cost. Have so much fun at the pumpkin patch this year.
What a fun and comprehensive list! I need to get started lol. Thanks for sharing. Such a wholesome list of family friendly activities.
Rock painting sounds fun! Will do it before the end of the season. Thank you for sharing.
It is so much fun! My littles are actually rock painting as we speak. Enjoy!
Great list! Didn’t know you could make your own potpourri, definitely something I’ll be doing soon!
Such fun ideas! You’ve given me some inspiration 😊