18 Fun Fall Activities for Families: From All-Day Adventures to Quick Outings

18 Fun Fall Activities for Families: From All-Day Adventures to Quick Outings

As the leaves begin to change and the air turns crisp, Fall is the perfect season for us to enjoy quality time together with our families. I'm always looking for ideas of things to do whether its for a full day outing or even for just a few hours.  So here is my curated list of 18 autumn activities for you to choose from—so you can plan the perfect outing, no matter how much time you have.

All-Day Adventures

If you’re planning to spend an entire day out with the family, these activities offer a full day of seasonal fun:

1. Apple Picking
Visiting a local orchard to pick fresh apples is a classic fall activity! Many orchards also offer hayrides, cider tastings, and even petting zoos, making it a full-day adventure for everyone.

2. Pumpkin Patch Visit
A trip to the pumpkin patch is more than just picking out pumpkins. Many patches have corn mazes, petting zoos, and other fun activities that can easily fill an entire day.

3. Fall Foliage Hike
Enjoy the beautiful fall colors with a hike through a local park or forest. Choose a longer trail or a scenic area to turn this into a full-day excursion. Don’t forget to pack a picnic!

4. Attend a Fall Festival
Fall festivals are a fantastic way to enjoy seasonal games, food, and entertainment. These festivals often last all day and provide a variety of activities for all ages.

5. Visit a Haunted House
If your family loves a good scare, spend the day visiting a haunted house or participating in a local ghost tour. Pair it with other spooky activities, and you’ve got a whole day of fun.

6. Go on a Hayride
Many farms offer hayrides, often paired with other attractions like pumpkin patches or corn mazes. This can turn a simple hayride into an all-day family outing.

7. Attend a Football Game
Fall is football season! Whether it’s a high school or college game, attending a local football game, especially with pre-game tailgating, can take up a large portion of your day.

8. Take a Scenic Drive
The fall foliage is breathtaking, and one of the best ways to enjoy it is by taking a scenic drive. Plan a route that takes you through the countryside, with stops at overlooks or small towns to make the most of the day.

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Quick Activities

If you’re short on time but still want to enjoy the season, these activities can be done in just a few hours:

1. Baking Autumn Treats
Spend a morning or afternoon in the kitchen baking delicious seasonal treats like pumpkin bread, apple pie, or cinnamon rolls. It’s a cozy way to enjoy fall without leaving the house.

2. Fall Crafting
Get creative with fall-themed crafts such as leaf rubbings, pinecone decorations, or handmade wreaths. This is a great way to spend a few hours indoors, especially on a chilly day.

3. Host a Bonfire Night
Gather around a backyard bonfire for an evening of s’mores, hot chocolate, and maybe even some spooky stories. This is a perfect activity for a few hours of evening fun.

4. Create a Family Scarecrow
Building a scarecrow is a fun and creative project that can be completed in just a few hours. Use old clothes and hay or straw to bring your scarecrow to life!

5. Leaf Pile Jumping
Simple yet exhilarating, raking leaves into a big pile and letting the kids (and adults) jump in is a quintessential fall activity that can be done in no time.  And hopefully, this makes the raking leaves chore much more fun!

6. Plant Fall Flowers
Spend a couple of hours in the garden planting mums, pansies, or other fall-blooming flowers together to brighten up your yard.

7. Make Caramel Apples
A sweet and fun activity that only takes an afternoon—dip apples in caramel and decorate them with nuts, sprinkles, or chocolate for a delicious treat.  Get creative!

8. Family Photoshoot
Capture the beauty of the season with a family photoshoot at a scenic fall location. This can be done in a few hours and will leave you with memories to cherish.

9. Stargazing
On a clear autumn night, grab some blankets and head outside for a couple of hours of stargazing. The crisp fall air and clear skies make for perfect viewing conditions.

10. Volunteer Together
Fall is a great time to give back. Participate in a local community service project, like a food drive, which can often be done in just a few hours.

And there you have it!  No matter how much time you have, Fall offers a wide range of activities that the whole family can enjoy. Whether you’re up for a day-long adventure or just a few hours of fun, these ideas will help you make the most of the season. Also, why not get creative and turn some of my printable art or fabric scraps into fun crafts with the kids? It's a great way to personalize family time!