Fall is a favorite time of year for many people—and for good reason! The cooler autumn air can feel refreshing after a hot summer. Plus, school is back in session (yay for more free time for moms), football season is in full swing, and the changing leaves are a beautiful sight.

Then there are the scents! Fall just plain smells good. Fresh apple pie, hot cocoa, and warm pumpkin spice cookies are some of the fall scents we look forward to all year long. These simple scents can boost our moods and kick up the nostalgia.

With the weather and ambience just right, you can make some great memories as a family. Here’s a list of things to do to maximize the season in the company of your loved ones.

Fall with Family Activities

(Marius Ciocirlan/pexels)

Make Something Together

1. Sweeten Things Up

Memories are built on time spent together. Add something yummy to the mix, and the memories become even sweeter. Fall is the perfect time to gather together to create something delicious.

  • Apple Treats- Take advantage of apple harvest time to make something tasty. You could make a pie, tarts, candy apples, or caramel apples.
  • Warm Drinks- Whether it’s hot apple cider, hot cocoa, or a pumpkin spice latte, a warm drink is the perfect thing to whip up together on a chilly autumn evening.
  • Cookies- There are so many options for choosing which type of cookie to bake, but for a special fall treat, we recommend a pumpkin cookie or sugar cookies (that you can cut out and decorate together).
  • Chili or Soup- Get everybody in the kitchen to slice, dice, pour, and stir! Use a family recipe or create one that can become a new tradition.

2. Embrace Your Creativity

With the technicolor landscape of fall to give you inspiration, embracing your artsy side shouldn’t be too difficult. Here are some fun ideas to get creative as a family.

  • Design a Costume- Have fun designing and creating your own Halloween costumes with your family. Go with a theme for even more fun.
  • Pumpkins- Pick your own pumpkins and then bring them home for some creative time together. There’s the traditional carving ritual, but you can spice it up with some of the ornate templates you can find online. You can also paint your pumpkin or use it as your canvas for string art. Have the neighbors judge the final products and pick the Pumpkin Picasso of your family.
  • Crafts- Create a fall craft with things you find outside (a pinecone/leaf turkey or wreath…you’d be surprised at all the options for creating crafts from nature.)

Adventure is Out There!

1. Get Outside

Don’t let the perfect temperatures pass you by. Get everybody outside and exploring before winter hits.

  • Horseback Riding
  • Hayride
  • Family Photos- Fall leaves make for a beautiful backdrop. Find a spot with some lovely foliage, and your family photos are sure to be, well, picture-perfect.
  • Corn Maze
  • Fair or Fall Carnival- With so many activities and delicious food in one place, a fall carnival or county fair is just the place to go.
  • Local High School Football Game
  • Zoo- Fall is a great time to visit the zoo; both you and the animals will be much more comfortable when it’s not so hot outside.
  • Peach Orchard/Pumpkin Patch- Peaches are out in abundance in late summer/early fall, and pumpkins follow close on their heels. Picking together is one glorious treasure hunt. Then, go home and enjoy the spoils.

2. Stay Indoors

Although the fall weather is often wonderful, it can also be unpredictable. A fall rainstorm or even a snowstorm might make outdoor adventures less appealing, but there are plenty of indoor adventures to be had.

  • Get Scared at a Haunted House
  • Visit a Museum
  • Attend a Halloween Party (or throw one)
  • Bake- See above section for some sweet ideas.

Don’t Break The Bank

Enjoying fall activities with your family doesn’t have to cost much. Try these budget-friendly ideas.

  • Jump In a Pile of Leaves- If you have to rake leaves in your yard, you might as well have fun with it.
  • Watch Birds Migrate or Nest
  • Play Football
  • Explore The Fall Colors- Enjoy the season’s beautiful colors by taking a hike, bike ride, or even just a car ride through the woods or mountains. You could make this even more fun by including a scavenger hunt on your adventure.
  • Game Night
  • Decorate For Halloween or Thanksgiving- Dust off those old decorations or make new ones with things you already have around the house.
  • Bonfire- Roast hotdogs, make s’mores, and tell ghost stories while keeping warm around a backyard fire.
  • Movie Night
  • Jump In Puddles- Let go of all your inhibitions and have fun simply jumping in puddles and dancing in the rain.
  • Camp Indoors- If you run into rain or the nights are getting a little too chilly, set up a tent in the living room with all of the trappings (but less of the inconvenience) of an outdoor experience.

If you have family members who don’t live nearby, you can still help them enjoy the pleasures of fall by ordering them some seasonal cookies online. The fresh baked cookies will be delivered right to their door, along with a healthy dose of autumn cheer. You can also order some to complement your own family activities (all of the yumminess without having to slave away in the kitchen–and the kids won’t even guess they’re not homemade!)

We realize that everyone’s family situation is different. You may be in a family with young kids, you may be empty nesters, you may be single, or your situation might be more unique. No matter the size or what your family looks like, there is a way for you to enjoy the beautiful fall season in its prime.

Infographic

Fall is here! This means you can enjoy freshly baked apple pie and warm pumpkin spice cookies while sipping hot cocoa. The smell of autumn can make you feel nostalgic, looking back at memories. Why don’t you create more memories with your family this season? Here are some fun and great family activities you can try.

4 Family Activities For Fall Infographic
 

Video

Get the Most out of Fall with These 21 Family Activities