40 Of The Best Fall Activities To Do With Kids

Last Updated on September 9, 2025 by Audrey

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Fall is the perfect season to slow down, soak up the crisp air, and make lasting memories as a family. From colorful leaves crunching underfoot to cozy nights with apple cider, autumn is filled with opportunities to get outside, explore, and create fun traditions together.

That’s why we’ve rounded up 40 of the best fall activities to do with kids—a mix of outdoor adventures, creative crafts, and cozy indoor projects that will keep everyone smiling. Whether you’re planning weekend outings or looking for simple at-home ideas, these fall activities will help your family make the most of the season.

I’m a little bit overzealous and usually end up with a list that’s entirely too long and humanly impossible to accomplish within such a short window of time. Just pick a few that work for your family and roll with it!

Luckily, my offspring shares my zeal pertaining to all things Halloween and fall. After all, “it’s the best time of the year!” His words, not mine…although I agree. So here are 40 of our best ideas for awesome fall activities!

1. Go apple picking.

Apple picking kicks off our list of fall activities because you can do this one early in September. Head out to a u-pick near you and gather up some of these delicious beauties! Some places will even give you a wagon ride out to the apple orchard. Then head home and bake all the apple pies, apple fritters, caramel apples, applesauce…you get the picture.

2. Do pumpkin science experiments.

Turn your fall pumpkins into a fun science experiment by creating a foaming jack-o’-lantern! After carving your pumpkin, add a few spoonfuls of baking soda inside, then pour in vinegar mixed with a little dish soap and food coloring. The reaction causes the pumpkin to bubble and overflow with colorful foam, making it look like your jack-o’-lantern is erupting (or vomiting).

This simple activity is a great way to mix Halloween fun with hands-on learning about chemical reactions, and kids will love watching their pumpkin come to life with fizzing, frothy excitement. The best part is that you can do it over and over again!

3. Go on a hayride.

One of the most classic fall activities to enjoy with family and friends is taking a hay ride. Whether it’s through a pumpkin patch, a colorful orchard, or along scenic country roads, a hay ride offers a cozy and festive way to soak in the crisp autumn air. Many farms even pair hay rides with other seasonal fun like apple picking or corn mazes, making it a must-do tradition during the fall season!

4. Have an autumn picnic.

Picnics are great in every season, which is why it earned a spot on our fall activities list! Try it in your backyard or at a nearby park. No need for anything fancy. (Unless you want to get fancy…then, by all means, go for it!) Just grab a blanket or table cloth, a picnic basket, and all your favorite fall treats!

5. Create your own witches brooms.

A fun craft to add to your list of fall activities is making DIY witches’ brooms from nature. Kids can collect sticks for broom handles and bundle smaller twigs, straw, or dried grasses around the base to create the broom bristles. Secure everything with twine or ribbon, and you’ll have a rustic, witchy decoration perfect for Halloween.

These handmade brooms can be displayed on the porch, used as festive props, or even turned into mini versions for imaginative play. It’s a simple project that combines creativity with the beauty of natural materials.

6. Go on a fall scavenger hunt.

A fall nature scavenger hunt is one of the best fall activities to get kids exploring the outdoors while enjoying the beauty of the season. Create a simple checklist of items like colorful leaves, pinecones, acorns, seed pods, or animal tracks, and head out to a local park, hiking trail, or even your backyard.

Children will love searching for each item, and along the way, they’ll get to experience the sights, sounds, and textures of autumn up close. It’s an easy, low-cost way to combine outdoor adventure, learning, and family fun all in one seasonal activity.

7. Make a pumpkin fairy home.

One of the most magical fall activities you can try with your kids is creating a pumpkin fairy home. Pumpkins make the perfect base for an enchanting little dwelling—just hollow one out and decorate it with natural materials like moss, twigs, bark, and pinecones. Finish it off with adorable Halloween themed figurines! See how we made ours here.

8. Go on a haunted tour of a historic old town/building.

Going on a ghost tour is a thrilling way to add some spooky excitement to your list of fall activities. Many cities and historic buildings offer guided tours that share eerie legends, haunted tales, and mysterious events tied to the past. Walking through old streets or dimly lit hallways while hearing chilling stories creates an atmosphere that’s both entertaining and educational.

Ghost tours are perfect for adults and older kids who enjoy history with a supernatural twist, making them a memorable seasonal adventure during the Halloween season.

9. Create an autumn nature collage.

Creating a leaf nature collage is a hands-on way to celebrate the season and enjoy fall activities with kids. Head outdoors to collect leaves in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, then arrange them on paper to form patterns, pictures, or abstract designs.

You can add other natural elements like seeds, twigs, or flower petals for extra texture and creativity. Once glued down, the collage becomes a beautiful piece of autumn art that showcases the vibrant colors of fall and makes for a fun, screen-free family project.

10. Make a scarecrow.

Making a scarecrow is a classic way to embrace the season and enjoy fun fall activities as a family. Start with old clothes like jeans, a flannel shirt, and a hat, then stuff them with straw, leaves, or even crumpled newspaper to bring your scarecrow to life. Add a painted or sewn face on a burlap sack or pumpkin head, and personalize it with accessories like scarves or gloves.

Whether you place it in the yard, garden, or on the porch, a homemade scarecrow adds a festive autumn touch and makes for a creative project that kids and adults alike can enjoy together.

11. Go on a trip to see the fall colors.

The fall colors are good in our area, but we really love trying to get up north where it’s more forested for some optimal leaf viewing. Do you live near some beautiful areas for fall foliage? Add a weekend trip to your fall activities to really take in some of the colors of the season!

12. Decorate your porch and yard.

One fall bucket list item that my son and I both get super excited to about is decorating our porch and yard. This has become a tradition we love doing together every year!

13. Make a Halloween food board.

Putting together a Halloween food board is a festive way to combine creativity with delicious seasonal treats, making it one of the most fun fall activities for gatherings. Start with a large tray or wooden board and fill it with a mix of sweet and savory items. We like to use salami, ham, cheese cut out into pumpkin shapes, grapes, crackers, for something a little more substantial than just treats.

Feel free to make it your own and use whatever snacks your family enjoys! Throw in spooky touches like skeleton hands, mini cauldrons, and candy eye balls. A Halloween food board not only makes entertaining easy but also brings a touch of spooky charm to parties, family nights, or even a cozy evening at home.

14. Play in the leaves.

If you have trees in your yard, leaf raking is one of those fall activities that’s pretty much inevitable. Might as well make it a fun option for your fall bucket list! Here are some ways to make leaf raking a fun task rather than something to dread.

15. Go on a moonlit hike.

Full moons are always spectacular, but especially so during spooky season! This year’s full moon occurs on October 20th, so don’t miss the chance to go on a full moon night hike! It’s sure to be an experience that you and the kids always remember. And even if it can’t be on that particular night, a hike under the moon during any phase is still good!

16. Have a campfire.

Few things are better than a chill in the air, snuggling up in some blankets, a cozy fire, and hot cider or cocoa! Add hay bales and pumpkins or jack-o-lantern string lights for a spooky ambiance.

17. Host a Halloween party in your backyard.

Everyone loves a good party, right? Sometimes it can be fun to take matters into your own hands! Why not add hosting your own Halloween backyard party to your fall bucket list? I don’t know about your kiddos, but my little guy LOVES throwing parties and helping me get everything set up. Have your kids help out with the planning and decor to add to the excitement!

18. Take a walk or do a spooky photoshoot in an old cemetery.

Maybe it’s just me, but I love a good walk through an old cemetery, especially in the fall! And yes, the old part is necessary!

Nothing quite gives off the same spooky vibes as neglected, crumbling gravestones scattered across a hillside under the shadow of towering, mature trees. We discovered to perfect graveyard in our city a few years ago, and this has been on my fall bucket list every year since!

19. Hang up a bat house.

Not only are bats awesome little animals that eat up tons of mosquitoes every night, they also became associated with Halloween, vampires, and all things spooky at some point or another. In my mind, this makes them the perfect focus of a fall bucket list activity!

Make or purchase your own bat house and hang it up in your yard. Once some bat friends have moved in, hang out at dusk and watch them swoop and dive across the sky!

20. Visit a farm.

During harvest time, a trip to the farm is the perfect fall bucket list activity! See cute animals, purchase some produce, and (of course) sample the cider and doughnuts!

21. Do a canopy walk.

A canopy walk is a breathtaking way to experience fall activities while surrounded by vibrant foliage. Strolling high above the forest floor lets you see the reds, oranges, and yellows of autumn leaves from a whole new perspective. It’s a peaceful yet awe-inspiring adventure that combines the beauty of nature with a touch of excitement, perfect for anyone who loves the magic of autumn!

22. Create magic nature wands

Grab some sticks and trim them until they’re the perfect wand size. (Twelve inch wooden dowels would also suffice.) Then head out with the kids to gather up some feathers, leaves, acorns, vines, etc. and let them get creative! Here’s one idea to get you started.

23. Visit a pumpkin patch.

Visiting a pumpkin patch is one of the fall activities that we actually do multiple times during the fall season. Whether you like neat, tidy patches with the pumpkins already picked and displayed in an aesthetically pleasing way, roadside farm stands, or unruly farm fields that you venture out into in search of the perfect one to pick, this is a classic that never gets old!

24. Preserve colorful leaves in wax.

Dipping leaves in beeswax is a great way to preserve some autumn colors a little while longer. And kids will love heading outside for a nature walk to collect leaves of all colors, shapes, and sizes! Afterwards, create festive garlands and mobiles to hang around your home for a perfect touch of autumn that doesn’t look store-bought. Here’s how.

25. Make a leaf garland or mobile.

Making a leaf mobile is a simple and creative craft that fits perfectly into fall activities for kids and adults alike. Collect colorful autumn leaves, press them flat, dip in melted beeswax, and then tie them with string or twine to a sturdy stick or embroidery hoops. Wrap with fairy lights and hang the mobile in a window, on a porch, or even indoors to showcase the vibrant colors.

26. Visit a cider mill.

An absolute must-do on our list of fall activities! If you haven’t already found a favorite, check your area for cider mills! Look for some that offer the whole experience. Ya know, cider and donuts, playground, animals, pumpkins, hayrides, etc.

27. Find new locations to go trick-or-treating.

Shake up the normal routine (or add an additional night of merriment to the traditional neighborhood festivities) by finding new fun places to trick-or-treat! Check out downtown areas, historic villages or estates, or local businesses. We love trick-or-treating at our favorite historic village every year. The old-timey village mixed with spooky goodness gives off all the best kind of vibes. And the haunted train ride that they offer is a favorite!

28. Decorate nature pumpkins.

Decorating nature pumpkins is a simple and creative way to enjoy fall activities with the whole family. Instead of carving, gather natural materials like colorful leaves, ferns, or dried flowers and petals to design unique seasonal pumpkins. Kids can glue on leaves for patterns, make acorn eyes, or wrap vines around the stems for a rustic touch.

29. Walk around the neighborhood to look at Halloween decorations.

I can’t get enough of all the spooky decorations this time of year! One of our yearly fall activities is walking around and looking at all the decorated houses. Make sure to grab our FREE SCAVENGER HUNT PRINTABLE before you head out!

30. Carve pumpkins.

Carving pumpkins is a classic fall tradition that brings creativity and family fun together and is one of my personal faves! There’s nothing that says Halloween quite like glowing pumpkins grinning at you from every house.

31. Go to a corn maze.

Preferably at night, and definitely watch Children of the Corn before you go. Perhaps don’t include your actual children in that last bit though…

But for real, how fun are these? It’s especially exhilarating in the dark of night with the stars shining above you, little clouds of breath in the crisp air every time you exhale, nothing but rows of tall corn all around, and the feeling of being utterly and completely lost in the middle of nowhere.

32. Go for a hike.

Hiking is a great activity in every season because you’ll get a new experience each time! Fall is obviously great for hikes with the cooler temps, fewer bugs, and beautiful foliage displays. Check to see if your area has any hikes that are particularly good for leaf viewing!

33. Snuggle up and read fall books together.

Reading fall themed books is a cozy way to enjoy the season while sparking imagination. Curling up with a blanket and a warm drink makes the perfect setting for stories about autumn leaves, harvest time, pumpkins, and even a few spooky tales. Here are some of our favorites:

• Pick a Pumpkin
• Fletcher and the Falling Leaves
• Pumpkin Jack
• The Scarecrow
• he Leaf Thief
• Bonaparte Falls Apart
• B Is for Boo: A Halloween Alphabet
• Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone: The Illustrated Edition

34. Make nature potions.

A few of our fall activities were inspired by Harry Potter, including this nature potions activity! Or witch’s brew, depending on what kind of spin you want to put on it. Grab a cauldron and some jars, gather up some nature items, and start mixing! See what we used here.

Dressing up as little witches and wizards would also add greatly to the fun of this activity. If your kids are Harry Potter fans, mix up some ingredients or potions from the books! Here’s a list if you need a brush up.

35. Make autumn leaf crowns.

Nature crowns are always fun, but autumn leaf crowns can result in some beautiful results! Head out with the kids and gather up some pretty leaves and any other foliage that captures your eye. Then try this tutorial, which is easy to follow along with the kids!

36. Make Halloween slime.

A fun and spooky project to add to your list of fall activities is making DIY Halloween slime. With just a few ingredients—like glue, baking soda, contact solution, and food coloring—you can whip up a gooey, stretchy slime that kids will love. Customize it for the season by mixing in orange or green coloring, glitter, or tiny Halloween-themed add-ins like plastic spiders or eyeballs. Here are some instructions for diy slime!

37. Paint leaf ghosts.

Kids will loves this simple and adorable activity. Just gather leaves, trim them up to the proper shape, and paint on ghostly faces! See how here.

38. Visit the farmer’s market.

Summer is great, but fall is a magical time to visit the farmer’s market! There’s just something about the bounty of the autumn harvest and the variety of colorful produce laid out to tempt you. If you want to avoid some crowds, try visiting a u-pick farm to obtain some of your fall food!

39. Go fishing.

Fishing is a great way to get outdoors and enjoy nature in the fall! And if you happen to live somewhere where you can witness salmon running upstream, that’s a pretty cool thing to witness as well. Check out rivers in your area to see if there are any good viewing spots and head out with the kiddos!

40. Take a scenic chairlift ride.

A lot of skiing resorts offer chairlift rides in the fall for the purpose of color viewing. This has been a really cool opportunity that we’ve been able to take advantage of a few times in northern Michigan.

The fall colors only last for a short time, so we try our best to view them as much as possible in as many ways as possible!

Conclusion

Fall is a season full of simple joys, from outdoor adventures to creative crafts and cozy moments at home. Whether you’re carving pumpkins, exploring nature, or reading fall-themed books, each activity offers a chance to slow down and make lasting memories with family and friends. No matter how you choose to celebrate, embracing these fall activities helps you savor the beauty, warmth, and togetherness that make autumn so special!