Pumpkin, spice, and everything nice! Fall is such a beautiful and wholesome season.
The weather starts to cool down, the leaves start to change color, and the pace of life just seems to slow down a bit.
Here are 40 incredibly heartwarming things to do in fall that are fun and affordable for you, your friends, and your family to enjoy.
This fall bucket list includes indoor and outdoor activities, creative projects, and friendly challenges.
Whether you’re single, dating, or doing all this as a family, there is something in here for everybody. I promise, you won’t be disappointed!
Things To Do In Fall
Go on a hike
- Hiking is a great outdoor adventure. Notice all the autumn colors around you, the cool breeze, and the leaves crunching beneath your feet. Bring your furry friends along for the ride, too!
Go to a pumpkin patch
- Visiting a pumpkin patch can create some of the most outstanding memories for kids and adults alike. Enjoy this seasonal tradition and pick out the perfect pumpkin!
Visit a corn maze
- If you’re directionally challenged you’re going to get your money’s worth. Walking through a maze is thrilling. Just thinking about doing this makes me excited. Although the goal is to get through, getting lost seems more fun!
Go apple-picking
- Make your way to an apple orchard. They’re so beautiful! Apple-picking in the fall season is almost therapeutic for the soul. Bring a basket, water, a nice cloth, and you’re all set! Enjoy freshly picked apples and then make delicious little treats!
Go to a fall festival
- Walk around the town, listen to live music, and enjoy good food with good people.
Play and jump in a pile of leaves
- Make a weekend chore fun and enjoyable for the kids. You can rake the leaves and let them play and jump in the piles. All of a sudden, a simple task at home has made their day that much more special.
Try pumpkin spice everything
- If you haven’t tried a pumpkin spice latte yet, what are you even doing? This year, make it a point to break up your coffee routine. Pick up a pumpkin spice latte at a local coffee shop or make your own at home! Coffee, first! Then go for the pastries!
Host Friendsgiving
- Thanksgiving tends to be dedicated to being with the family. Friendsgiving opens up an opportunity to celebrate the holiday with your closest and dearest friends while holding onto some of the wholesome traditions Thanksgiving has to offer.
Be neighborly
- Acts of service are a beautiful way to engage with each other and with our communities in the fall. Give a neighbor a card, a coffee, a pastry, or a pie. Something super simple to let them know they are special.
Have a bonfire
- If you’re having a bonfire, you need to have s’mores. They just go together. Have a bonfire over the neighborhood fire pit or host one of your own in your backyard. Can you think of a better way to catch up with friends and family? You’ll feel warm and fuzzy inside and out.
Things To Do In Fall
Go on a hayride
- Experience the countryside! The hay makes it a comfortable ride for the family and the kids will love it!
Hand-make a fall wreath
- Taking the time to create anything handmade is truly special. Create your own fall wreath for your front door and invite your kids to create a custom-made wreath for their rooms as well.
Thanksgiving meals and traditions
- Who doesn’t think of Thanksgiving when they think of fall? This holiday encourages us to be thankful for each other and for all that we have. In appreciating what we have, we also have the opportunity to acknowledge what we have to give as well.
Volunteer at a soup kitchen
- Serving those in need will fill up your soul in such a unique way. Giving your time and your energy toward a good cause is a heartwarming way to pay it forward. Try to give back to the community in this season.
Shop Black Friday
- Black Friday or Cyber Monday sales are the best way to save money on Christmas gifts. You can get all your Christmas shopping done in this one weekend if you play your cards right.
Get fall-scented candles
- All the warm home decor in the house will simply not be complete without fall-scented candles. Find pumpkin spice, mulled cidar, caramel pecan, or some warm woodsy candles, ASAP. It makes all the difference when you walk into a room.
Go to a Farmer’s Market
- Going to a Farmer’s Market is a fun and engaging way to get your hands on farm foods that are perfectly in season. It’s also a great way to support a local business!
Eat caramel apples
- Caramel apples are the perfect example of how two truly great things become better together.
Practice gratitude
- The most important thing to do in the fall is to say “thank you.” Practice gratitude in a gratitude journal and let the people around you know that you are thankful for them.
Things To Do In Fall
Go horseback riding
- Kids and adults will both experience the thrill of horseback riding. It’s exciting and the weather makes it a perfect fall activity. If horseback riding is too intimidating, maybe riding a pony will do!
Go to a farm
- The best part about going to a farm is being able to see, pet, and feed all the animals. It’s a more wholesome and authentic experience than visiting a zoo.
Go camping
- Autumn is ideal for a camping trip! If you’re a real outdoorsy type of person, experiencing the crisp fall air and starry nights in this setting will fill your seasonal cup all the way up.
Host an indoor/outdoor movie night
- Watch feel-good movies. Movies that make you warm on the inside. Host a movie night with your family at home or invite friends over!
Drink something warm outside
- When the weather cools down, drink something warm outside. Grab your favorite warm beverage: coffee, hot chocolate, or tea. Don’t forget to bring a nice warm blanket. Sit outside in the evening and enjoy every sip.
Host a dinner party
- Have your friends help and do a potluck-style dinner party. You could even decide to host it all on your own and have themed/well-decorated courses.
Go to a football game
- It’s football season! Support your favorite teams, enjoy tailgating and watch the game!
Go wine-tasting
- Fall is a good time to try something new. Visit a winery and experience wine tasting in fall scenery.
Have a picnic
- Amazon sells really great picnic baskets that come with plates, cups, utensils, blankets, and other needed items. They are super adorable. Don’t overthink a picnic. Even if it’s simply done, it can be great! Pack a lunch and enjoy the outdoors.
Go on a bike ride
- There are so many interesting ways to go for a bike ride. You can go for a bike ride on a popular community trail or ride your bike in your neighborhood. Some unique locations allow you to get bike rentals while touring a specific area.
Things To Do In Fall
Have a backyard cook-out
- Simple things become that much more fun when you decide to do it outside. Hang some string lights, get a nice table cloth, and host a barbecue in your backyard.
Draw turkeys using the shape of your hands
- This is essential for any and every child. It’s so easy and it’s even easier to find instructions. You start by tracing the shape of your hand on a blank piece of paper. The thumb becomes the head and the other four fingers become feathers for the turkey.
Draw pumpkins and squirrels
- Look up directed drawings on Youtube! They have such great fall video tutorials for the kids. Anyone watching will be able to follow along drawing pumpkins, squirrels, wagons, and so much more!
Paint and sip wine
- Paint ‘n Sip. Wine and Canvas. Painting with a Twist. Those are some off the top of my head. Local businesses like these offer classes that allow you to be directed in your paintings while drinking wine. It’s a great activity to do as a couple or with friends. You can also follow along with a Youtube video and make this something fun to do on a Friday night at home.
Take a walk downtown
- Find a small town in your area, park the car, and go for a walk. Go into a shop you’ve never been in before. Take in the sights.
“Camp out” at home
- If you are not an outdoorsy person but you want to give your kids a “camp out” experience, this is for you! Play a video of a fireplace on your TV. Pitch a tent or create a blanket fort in your living room. Grab all the pillows and blankets you can find!
Curl up with a good book
- Grab a great book and a nice thick, warm, blanket and cuddle up in a corner on the couch. Light a candle with low light and enjoy! Grab a fall themed book for your kiddos!
Bake fall treats
- You can make fall-themed cookies! Get cookie cutters shaped like leaves, pumpkins, and turkeys and you are all set! You can make pumpkin sugar cookies, cinnamon sugar cookies, or butter pecan cookies. There are so many fall flavors to enjoy in pies, cookies and other festive desserts.
Decorate a pumpkin
Did you know there are other ways to carve pumpkins apart from making Jack-o-lanterns? You can make really cute designs with pumpkins by carving circles, stars, and patterns. Just look up some unique pumpkin decorating ideas! It’s a great arts-and-crafts activity that you and the kids are sure to enjoy!
Visit a small-town coffee shop
There’s something different about the experience of supporting a small business. During the fall, take the opportunity to visit coffee shops that are locally owned.
Try a fall sport
Play golf, tennis, or go kayaking in milder weather.
