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Fall Bucket List Ideas: Fun Things to do This Season
Summer happens to be my favorite season, but there’s something so fun and special about the transition into fall. I love this time of year. The air feels crisp and the leaves turn brilliant shades of red and orange. I can’t help but feel the magic of a new season, new beginnings, and knowing that the holidays are coming. Whether you’re the type to bundle up in cozy sweaters or prefer cozying up at home, my fall bucket list has something for every type of fall person. Personally, I love to get out as much as I can because I’m a sit by the fire kind of winter girl, so this is my last chance to really be outside. Whether you love pumpkin patches, the taste of a freshly baked pumpkin pie, or cozying up by the fire, fall is the perfect time to get cozy. So grab a pumpkin spice latte and let’s talk about fall activities that whole family will love.
Fall Bucket List Ideas: Fun Things to do This Season
It still feels like summer here in Chicago, but I know these warm and sunny days are fleeting. Fall is always so beautiful, and I love going out on adventures, and getting into the Halloween spirit with my kids. I started pulling up all the places we might want to go and things we’ll want to do this season, and created a note on my phone that I share with my au pair and husband. We all add things and come up with fun fall activities to do each season. Here is a list of fun fall things I’d love to do this season.
Get Your Home Ready for Fall
As a type A virgo, this might be my favorite fall bucket list activity. The change of seasons always has me wanting to take on a few organization projects, and to make sure my house feels cozy for fall. As the weather cools and the days grow shorter, getting your home ready for fall creates a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Start by swapping out lighter summer décor for warmer, seasonal pieces like plush blankets, textured throw pillows, and autumn-inspired centerpieces. Add candles with scents like cinnamon, pumpkin, or apple to infuse your space with the warm fragrances of fall. Don’t forget to decorate your entryway with pumpkins, a fall wreath, and other autumnal touches to welcome the season into your home.
Work On Your Fall Capsule
This is another fun fall bucket list activity. A change of seasons is always a nice time to go through your wardrobe. At the end of each season, I like to audit the last season’s clothes. If there’s a summer dress I didn’t wear, it’s time to sell or donate it. And if there are sweaters I’m not excited to wear last season, it’s time to part ways with those, too. Figure out what layers or pieces you’re missing for the new season. For me, that looked like t-shirts and some new flats.
Plant Fall Flowers
Autumn is the perfect time to add a splash of seasonal color to your garden with flowers that thrive in cooler temperatures. Consider planting mums or pansies to bring life to your garden throughout the fall.
Plant Spring Bulbs
While fall might seem like the time to wind down gardening, it’s actually the ideal season to plant spring bulbs like tulips and daffodils. Planting them in the fall allows the bulbs to establish roots before winter sets in.
Visit a Pumpkin Patch
This is as basic as it gets, but it’s also one of my favorite fall activities. It’s always so fun to grab a few apple cider donuts or caramel apples walk through a corn maze, and enjoy a hay ride. And don’t forget the pumpkins for your front porch! I’m so excited to do this with my 3 kids this year.
Carve or Paint Pumpkins
I’m a sucker for pumpkin carving, too, and always love to create the perfect pumpkin faces for my kids. Make the most of carving and roast some pumpkin seeds, and end the night with a Halloween movie.
Visit an Apple Orchard
Apple picking is one of those things I always idealize, and it’s never as exciting as I think it will be. And it’s always too hot during prime apple season! But my kids are the perfect ages for it so I have to add this to my fall bucket list.
Visit a Local Farm
Lots of local farms turn into pumpkin patches or offer hay rides during the fall months. It’s so fun to visit the animals on a beautiful fall day.
Decorate for Halloween
Fall and spooky season go hand-in-hand for me, and I can’t wait to decorate for Halloween. This is something I didn’t do until I had kids, and it’s so fun making the holidays magical for them. From bats to pumpkins to ghosts and a 12′ skeleton outside our front door, I love to make our house spooky and fun for Halloween.
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Visit the Farmer’s Market
Fall farmer’s markets are my favorite! They have the best produce, baked goods, and flowers. And I love visiting a fall farmer’s market in a cozy sweater with a warm drink in hand.
Read a Book
I just started a new book, and it’s not a cozy fall book, but I’ve been really into my Kindle and I love getting all cozy and reading. I am so excited to read fireside this fall and winter.
Have A Cup of Hot Apple Cider
Warm up on a chilly day with a mug of hot apple cider. Whether you make it or buy store-bought, it’s a lovely fall experience. Add cinnamon sticks, cloves, and a slice of orange for a fragrant, spiced version that’s sure to become a seasonal favorite.
Host a Bonfire or Patio Night
Invite friends and family over for a cozy outdoor evening around a bonfire or patio heater. Roast marshmallows, sip on warm drinks, and enjoy the crisp fall air as you chat and relax under the stars. Consider an outdoor movie, playing charades, or another classic game or conversation as you enjoy the crisp fall air and sitting in nature.
Collect Leaves
Take a walk through your neighborhood or a local park to collect colorful fall leaves. Use them for crafts, press them into books, or simply admire the beautiful reds, oranges, and yellows as a reminder of the season’s beauty.
Go on a Fall Scavenger Hunt
Create a list of fall-themed items to find—like acorns, pinecones, or a specific colored leaf. If your kids are too young to read, draw the item that they need to find. This is a great way to explore nature and make long walks fun for little kids who would otherwise complain about their legs being tired, or being “bored” on a long walk.
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Go on a Nature Walk
Embrace the crisp fall air by going on a nature walk. Listen to the crunch of leaves underfoot and take in the sights and smells of the changing season while getting some peaceful exercise outdoors. I love walking through the woods as the leaves are changing, and when the temps start to drop a little bit. It really is the most beautiful time of the year.
Host a Game Night
I’ll take any excuse to get together with friends or to plan a special night with my kids. And you can add the word “fall” to anything with the right snacks and a seasonal candle.
Take Family Photos
Fall’s vibrant backdrop of colorful leaves and soft golden light make it the perfect time for family photos. This is also a great time to get photos for your holiday cards, if you send those. We’re doing this in late October and I can’t wait! Head to a local park or take photos at home.
Try a New Craft
Get into the creative spirit of the season by trying out a new fall craft. I already picked up a few Halloween crafts at Target and Amazon. My kids love collecting leaves, so we’re going to make leaf art with paint and glue. We love gem art, too – I found this adult version and it’s so nice to do something other than scroll on my phone at the end of the day. I love crafting as the temps drop and really want to give needlepoint another try this season.
Host a Night With Friends
Gather your closest friends for a fall-themed night in. Set the mood with seasonal snacks, warm drinks, and a fun activity like watching movies, playing board games, or enjoying a casual dinner together. It’s the perfect way to unwind and make the most of the season’s cozy atmosphere.
Watch a Movie Under the Stars
Grab some cozy blankets and hot chocolate, and set up an outdoor movie on a cool fall night. This was a nearly impossible activity during summer since it doesn’t get dark until 8 or 9PM. But fall is a great time to take advantage of the sun setting earlier. Bonus points if you make a fall themed charcuterie board or roast marshmallows.
Go On a Picnic
Pack up a basket with warm blankets, sandwiches, apple cider, and pumpkin cookies, and head to a scenic spot for a picnic. The crisp autumn air, beautiful leaves, and cozy atmosphere make it the perfect time to enjoy a picnic outdoors.
Cook with Seasonal Vegetables
Celebrate fall’s harvest by cooking with seasonal vegetables like butternut squash, sweet potatoes, and Brussels sprouts. Roasting, stewing, or making soups with these fresh, flavorful ingredients adds warmth and nutrition to your autumn meals.
Bake Fall Treats
There’s something about the temps dropping that makes me want to cook and bake. I love filling my home with the cozy aromas of fall. Whether you prefer the spiced richness of pumpkin or the sweet tang of apples, these classic fall desserts are a delicious way to celebrate the season. Go with something classic by baking a pumpkin or apple pie, or warm pumpkin bread or muffins. Full of fall spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove, are delicious and smell so good. These baked goods make for a perfect snack or dessert. And there’s nothing more fun than baking cookies. Stick with chocolate chip or seasonal sugar cutouts for fall or Halloween, or try a cookie with fall flavors. Or make some spooky rice krispie treats (this is so easy that I can’t really call it baking).
With its crisp air, golden hues, and pumpkin-spiced everything, fall offers an irresistible mix of coziness and adventure. A fall bucket list is the perfect way to make the most of the season, and I hope this list has helped you feel ready to fully embrace the magic of the season.
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