I love the fall season. The air begins to turns crisp and the leaves turn to beautiful shades of red, orange, and yellow. Autumn is the perfect time of year to slow down and enjoy the new season. I’m not sure if it’s the cozy sweaters and warm cider or outdoor adventures in the cool air. But there’s something so satisfying about the transition from summer to fall. The season always seems to go by too quickly, so now is the time to embrace this beautiful fall weather. Whether it’s apple picking at a local orchard, exploring fall festivals, or simply enjoying a scenic drive to take in the colorful foliage, fall offers a wealth of free events and seasonal fun for everyone. Here are the best fun fall activities for the entire family.

The Ultimate Guide to Fall Activities for the Entire Family

Fall is one of those magical seasons where there’s something for everyone. It doesn’t matter if you’re drawn to outdoor adventures or prefer to stay indoors and embrace the coziness of autumn. I’m always so grateful for the transition when warm days turn crisp and it’s always nice to enjoy outdoor activities as possible before winter. So break out your cozy sweaters, grab a cider, and embrace the season. From classic fall activities like visiting pumpkin patches to new favorites like visiting a beer garden, the season is full of opportunities for family-friendly fun. So grab your favorite cozy sweater, pour yourself a warm cider, and get ready to celebrate the magic of fall. In this post, I’ll be sharing some of the best fall activities that are sure to create lasting memories and make this season truly unforgettable for your family

Head to an Apple Orchard

There’s something timeless about spending a crisp fall day at an apple orchard. It really is is the perfect place to spend a beautiful fall day. Late September through early October is prime apple-picking time, but many orchards offer activities that extend well into fall, making it the perfect family outing. In addition to picking your own apples, you can often enjoy warm apple cider donuts, fresh caramel apples, and other seasonal treats at the orchard’s market. Use your freshly picked apples to make homemade applesauce, apple pies, or cider. Many orchards also have additional activities like hayrides, petting zoos, and pumpkin patches, making them a full day of family-friendly fun.

Visit Your Local Farmer’s Market

Farmer’s markets are always fun over the summer months, but there’s nothing quite like a fall morning at the farmer’s market. Farmer’s markets offer a variety of fall produce—think pumpkins, squash, apples, and more—along with seasonal flowers. Crisp autumn mornings make for a perfect fall day. Bring a blanket, grab a seasonal treat, and find a great spot to sit and enjoy the beautiful weather and changing leaves. Pick up some seasonal fresh produce and flowers – there’s no better way to enjoy the season. Use your market haul to inspire a fall-themed cooking or baking session at home

Plan an Outdoor Movie Night Under the Stars

Autumn’s cool nights are perfect for outdoor family movie nights. With the leaves falling and a slight chill in the air, a backyard movie night is one of my favorite things to do with my family. To create the ultimate setup, start by hanging string lights to give the space a warm, inviting glow. Lay out plenty of blankets and pillows to make the area extra cozy, and consider bringing out a fire pit to keep everyone warm. Set up a projector and screen (or simply hang a white sheet), then choose classic family-friendly fall movies. I would recommend It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, Hocus Pocus (for 11+), or Harry Potter. Serve popcorn in festive bags, offer warm apple cider in mugs, and let the kids make s’mores over the fire.

Host a Fall-Themed Family Game Night

If the weather turns too cold or rainy for outdoor fun, gather the family for a cozy game night. Spice things up by adding a fall theme to your regular board games. Or try out new seasonal games, like Halloween bingo or a DIY scavenger hunt indoors. Swap out regular game pieces for Halloween-themed ones. You can also create a fall-themed version of classics like bingo, scavenger hunts, or Pictionary. Get creative with DIY games. Put together a scavenger hunt that sends family members searching for hidden fall items around the house. Or for an extra cozy touch, prepare a batch of hot cocoa or spiced apple cider. Bring out a few fall-inspired treats like caramel apples or pumpkin cookies to enjoy while you play. 

Visit a Pumpkin Patch

Visiting a pumpkin patch is a great way to get out and enjoy the fall season, and everyone’s sure to have a great time. Whether you visit a small local patch or a sprawling farm with rides and food trucks, there’s something seasonally festive about hunting for the perfect pumpkin. Many pumpkin farms offer additional attractions like a corn maze, hayrides, and even petting zoos, making it an all-day adventure. Grab an apple cider donut, go on a few rides, and pick some pumpkins. If you’re in the Chicago area, places like Bengston’s Pumpkin Farm are great for families with young children, offering everything from rides to live shows, though it’s wise to visit on a weekday if you want to avoid the weekend crowds.Whether you’re carving spooky jack-o’-lanterns or using fairytale pumpkins to decorate your porch, a trip to the pumpkin patch is a must-do fall tradition.

Carve or Decorate Pumpkins

Once you’ve chosen the perfect pumpkins, it’s time to do a little pumpkin carving or decorating. For older children and adults, carving spooky faces is always fun. Younger kids can paint their pumpkins, adding glitter, stickers, and even googly eyes. Lay out some old newspapers or a plastic sheet to keep things tidy, and let everyone dive into their designs. It’s a great way to spend a fall afternoon or evening, with the whole family working together. Afterward, display your masterpieces on your porch. And I recommend using these lights to light your pumpkin.

Look at Halloween Decor

Halloween decorations have become more elaborate and creative over the years. One of our favorite family traditions is taking a spooky tour of the neighborhood to admire the spooky decor. Whether you go for a drive or take a walking tour through your neighborhood, this is such a fun, family-friendly activity. Some houses go all out with themed decorations, animatronics, and sound effects, while others have more simple but charming displays with pumpkins, scarecrows, and lights. For added fun, we like to play Halloween music—The Nightmare Before Christmas soundtrack is always a hit in our house! My kids always have the best time, and this is an easy and free thing that we look forward to each year. 

Attend a Fall Festival

Fall festivals are packed with fun activities that appeal to all ages, making them a great place to spend a fall day with your family. From carnival rides and games to live music and food, there’s always a lot to do. Enjoy traditional fall treats like caramel apples, kettle corn, and pumpkin-flavored goodies. Some festivals even offer craft booths where you can make your own fall-themed items or watch live demonstrations of traditional crafts. Whether you’re looking to try out a new ride, sample delicious food, or just take in the atmosphere, a fall festival is an excellent way to spend a weekend with the family.

Peep Some Leaves

New England looks like one of the best places to visit in the fall. The fall foliage looks next-level, and I’d love to visit over a long weekend at some point. Take in the best views of the changing leaves, and find a charming little bed and breakfast where you can relax and be in nature. If a trip to New England isn’t possible this year, add it to your bucket list.  

Go on a Nature Walk

Plan an autumn walk through a local park, nature reserve, or public gardens where you can enjoy the the colors of changing leaves. It’s impossible not to have a good time in nature on a beautiful full day. Bring the kids and plan a scavenger hunt, looking for leaves, acorns, and pinecones. For younger kids, draw an image of what they’re looking for, and for added fun, have them find a few of each item. Collect some colorful leaves to use for crafts at home. 

Visit a Haunted House (or Make Your Own)

I don’t love scary things, so this sounds like my literal nightmare. For families that enjoy a bit of spookiness, visiting a haunted house can be an exciting fall adventure. Haunted houses are often filled with jump scares, eerie decorations, and actors ready to give visitors a fright, making them a thrilling activity for older kids or families who enjoy being scared. If you have younger children, you can make your own “haunted house” at home. Use dark lighting, play eerie soundtracks, and encourage everyone to dress up in costumes to add to the spooky atmosphere. Whether you’re braving a haunted house in town or creating your own at home, it’s a great way to embrace the spooky side of the season in a way that’s just the right level of scary for your family.

Decorate for Fall or Halloween

I love putting pumpkins on our porch, and adding some seasonal decor for Halloween, too. Think spooky chic bats and ghosts – nothing scary over here. I really like bringing in some fun and tasteful decor that blends in with my home, and makes our house feel extra festive for the season. 

Plant Fall Flowers

Planting mums, pansies, asters, and ornamental cabbage for an eye-catching display of fall flowers. Seasonal flowers are one of the best ways to update your home for the season. This is also the perfect time to plant spring bulbs like tulips and daffodils for the spring. Gardening is an activity that the whole family can participate in, and it’s a great way to spend a sunny fall afternoon outdoors.

Create a Fall-Themed Craft Day

Fall crafts are a great way to celebrate the season. Gather your supplies—think leaves, twigs, acorns, pinecones, paint, glue, and paper—and set up a crafting station. Or pick up some fall crafts at your local art store, or Target. Mondo Llama makes the best fall and halloween crafts, and most are around $5! We love these gem art kits, too.

Bake Seasonal Treats 

Apples, pumpkins, and warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves are one of the best things about fall. Try baking classics like pumpkin pie, apple crisp, or cinnamon rolls. Let little ones get involved by allowing them to mix ingredients or decorate cookies with fall-themed sprinkles.

Host a Seasonal Dinner

Have your friends over for a fall-themed dinner, using seasonal produce. Make a traditional chili, or hearty soup, or roast something with squash, apples, and root vegetables. And don’t forget the pumpkin dessert, hot apple cider, or mulled wine to round out the evening’s cozy vibe!

Take Fall Family Photos

With so many memorable activities, autumn is a beautiful time to book family photos with a professional photographer. Whether you take pictures at a pumpkin patch, a local park, or in your own yard, these photos are great for holiday cards. Plan a day where you can take family portraits in your favorite fall settings—think brightly colored leaves, pumpkins, and cozy fall outfits. I always like to get some more staged portraits for holiday cards, and then a mix of natural shots, playing with the kids, and doing something our family enjoys, like baking or a picnic. 

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