15 Fun, Fall Activities for Families
Okay, let’s be real, fall is kind of that girl. She shows up with her cozy sweaters, cinnamon-scented everything, and a whole lot of opinions about leaf piles and front porch decor. And honestly? We love her for it.
If you’re a fellow fall mom who secretly (or loudly) cheers when the temps dip below 70°, this post is for you. These 15 fall family traditions are all about soaking in the season with your kids, no fancy prep or pressure required!
1. Leaf Piles (and Letting the Kids Destroy Them)
You spend a solid hour raking leaves into the perfect pile, only for your kids to cannonball into it five seconds later. And honestly? That’s the whole point! There’s something about launching yourself into a giant pile of crunchy leaves that never gets old. Let them jump, roll, and toss them in the air. Then rake it up and let them do it again. Invite them to “help” rake, too, because there’s nothing like watching a preschooler proudly drag a rake that’s twice their size around the yard. Or maybe your kids are big enough to be genuinely helpful. Fall activities for kids don’t need to be fancy. Just give them a pile of leaves and a little freedom.
2. Apple Orchards
There’s something about visiting an apple orchard in the fall that just feels like the season. The crisp air, the rows of trees, the sticky fingers from “taste testing” one too many apples straight off the branch. Let your kids climb the ladders, pick their own apples, and fill their bags until they can barely carry them. You’ll likely leave with way more apples than you need, and that’s when the real fun begins…Cue the search for easy apple recipes for kids 😉
3. Cozy Reading Nooks & Fall-Themed Books
There’s nothing quite like snuggling up with a good book when the air turns crisp. Create a cozy little corner with a pile of pillows, a blanket or two, and a string of lights for that extra magic. Call it a reading fort, and suddenly your kids want to hang out there for hours. It doesn’t have to be Instagram-perfect, just a spot they know is theirs.
Stock the nook with a few great fall books for kids that bring the season to life. Think falling leaves, woodland animals, and stories that feel like a cozy sweater. Check out our full list of fall books for kids here. You can even make a weekly library run to keep the stack fresh (and get out of the house without spending a dime).
When your kids are curled up reading without being asked? That’s fall parenting at its finest.
4. Fall Festivals
Hayrides, bounce houses, face paint. You’ll leave with sticky hands, maybe a light coating of hay, and a plastic sword you somehow said yes to. It’s loud, a little chaotic, and somehow always worth it. Between the cider, the corn maze, and the funnel cake, these family-friendly fall events are the kind of outing your kids talk about for weeks, even if you’re $27 down after the bake sale.
5. Pumpkin Patch Adventures
It’s not officially fall until you’ve taken your kids to the pumpkin patch. Let them wander through the rows, inspect every single option, and proudly carry the one they’ve chosen home.
Rule #1: There’s no such thing as too many pumpkins.
Rule #2: Your kiddo will find the one with the weirdest wart and insist it’s the prettiest…they’re not wrong.
These seasonal family traditions are less about picking the perfect pumpkin and more about the fun of the search (and maybe a cider doughnut on the way out).
And if your eye starts to twitch thinking about carving said pumpkin, grab some paint, stickers, googly eyes, or washi tape instead. Decorating can be just as fun without the sharp tools and pumpkin guts.
6. Nature Walks
Slow things down with a walk through the neighborhood or a local trail. Let your kids fill a bag with “nature treasures” like acorns, leaves, and pinecones. Point out the way the trees change color, the crunch under your shoes, the way the air smells a little smokier and sharper than summer. These outdoor fall activities for kids are simple but grounding, and a great excuse to pause and really take in the season.
7. Leaf Rubbings & Pinecone Prints
Once you’re back from your walk, turn those treasures into art. All you need are some crayons, paint, and paper to make easy fall crafts for kids, like leaf rubbings or pinecone prints. Kids love seeing the textures come to life on the page, and it’s a simple way to keep the calm going while giving them space to create with what they found outside.
To make a leaf rubbing, place a leaf under a sheet of paper and gently rub the side of a crayon over the top until the shape and details appear. For pinecone prints, dip the pinecone in paint, roll or stamp it across the paper, and let it dry. Simple, seasonal, and surprisingly fun.
8. Soup Night!
Cooler temps make it the perfect time to bring back soup night! Let the kids help stir, set the table, or pick which soup goes in the pot. Whether it’s homemade or from a can, it’s an easy fall family dinner idea that’s cozy and comforting without a lot of fuss.
Make it a weekly thing - Friday soup and story night, or Sunday soup and slippers. Light a candle, grab the fuzzy socks, and settle in together. It’s the kind of routine that turns into a family favorite without much planning at all.
9. Family Movie Nights with Fall Vibes
Pick a night, pop some popcorn, and let everyone grab their own blanket (because we all know sharing never ends well.) Whether it’s a Friday night tradition or a random rainy Tuesday, movie night is one of those easy wins that brings everyone together. Add some cider or cocoa, light a fall-scented candle, and you’ve got a cozy setup without much effort.
Stick with family-friendly fall movies to give it that extra seasonal feel. Here are a few kid-approved favorites to get you started:
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
Room on the Broom
Coco
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Casper
The Book of Life
Whether it’s spooky-but-sweet or just full of autumn colors, these movies make the perfect backdrop for your next fall family bonding time.
10. Make Popcorn Balls
It’s sticky, sweet, and messy in all the right ways. Making popcorn balls is a fun little kitchen project that feels like an event but doesn’t take much time. These make great treats for movie nights, lunchbox surprises, or as part of a fun fall activity for kids that ends with a snack.
Check out this tasty version from Divas Can Cook. Just three ingredients that come together to taste exactly like childhood!
Or this one from I Heart Naptime that’s covered in carmelly goodness!
11. Seasonal Library Runs
Libraries always bring their A-game when it comes to seasonal displays. Let your kids pick out a stack of autumn picture books for children, and you’ve got instant storytime material. Don’t forget to browse for nonfiction books about leaves, pumpkins, or animals getting ready for winter, and if your kiddo prefers listening over reading, check out the audiobook section too. It’s free, it gets you out of the house, and you might even discover a new family favorite.
12. Fall Baking Fun
Whether it’s pumpkin bread, apple muffins, or a box of brownie mix with spooky sprinkles, fall is the perfect excuse to get in the kitchen together. Let the kids stir, pour, taste, and get flour everywhere. It’s a little messy and a lot of fun!
Fall baking with kids is one of those simple things that turns an ordinary afternoon into something memorable, and your house smells like heaven while it’s happening!
13. Gratitude Jars
Grab a mason jar and some scraps of paper, and you’ve got an easy way to start a thankfulness activity for kids. Set it out somewhere everyone can see, like the kitchen counter or dinner table, and encourage your family to jot down something they’re grateful for each week. It can be big (“my family”), silly (“extra whipped cream”), or oddly specific (“the swing that doesn’t squeak at recess”).
Come Thanksgiving, gather around and take turns reading them out loud. You’ll laugh, you might cry, and you’ll definitely be glad you did it! Want to keep the good vibes going? Leave the jar out all season and keep adding to it. It’s a small habit that makes gratitude a part of everyday life.
14. Fall Foliage Drive
Pile in the car, grab a warm drink, and take the scenic route. A short drive to look at the changing leaves is one of those simple fall activities for families that takes almost no planning but still feels special. Head to a nearby park, a wooded back road, or that one neighborhood with all the big old trees. No schedule, no agenda, just time together, windows cracked, and a playlist full of cozy, kid-friendly songs everyone can sing along to.
15. The First Fire of the Season
Whether it’s a fireplace, a backyard fire pit, or even a crackling video on the TV, gathering around a fire just feels right this time of year. It’s the perfect backdrop for reading a book, telling silly stories, or just hanging out while everyone winds down from the day. However you do it, a cozy fire has a way of pulling everyone in and slowing things down (for a little while, at least.)
Whether your kids are still toddling through leaf piles or growing faster than you’d like, fall is full of small, easy moments that bring everyone back together.
It doesn’t take much to make this season feel meaningful...just a little intention and time with your people.
