Fall is one of the best times of year to get outside and enjoy nature with family and friends.
The weather finally starts cooling down, the leaves are changing, and there are plenty of seasonal activities that give you an excuse to spend more time together. And let’s be honest, your family probably doesn’t care whether you’re visiting an apple orchard or simply throwing leaves around the backyard. They just want to spend time together.
From fall festivals and pumpkin patches to hiking, camping, farmers markets, and finding new places to explore, there are plenty of ways to make the most of the season.
The best part? You don’t need an expensive vacation or a complicated itinerary. Sometimes the simplest fall activities are the ones your family remembers.
As an Amazon affiliate, when you click on any of the links on this page and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission, at no cost to you! By using our affiliate links, you’ll find our favorite picks and support us at the same time. And we really appreciate your support!
Here are 15 of our favorite fall activities for families.
1. Explore a Corn Maze
A corn maze can be a surprisingly fun fall adventure.
A large maze gives everyone plenty of walking to do while you try to figure out how to find your way out. And don’t be surprised if your kids beat you to the exit. They may have a much better sense of direction than you do!
Before you go, check out all the activities offered at the farm. There may be hayrides, food vendors, games, pumpkin picking, or other seasonal activities you don’t want to miss.
Pro Tip: Wear comfortable shoes. A corn maze can involve more walking than you expect.
2. Go Apple Picking
Apple picking is another classic fall activity that can turn into a fun family adventure.
It’s a great way to get outside, explore somewhere new, and bring home fresh apples for pies, applesauce, or other fall treats. And there’s something about walking through an apple orchard that just feels like fall.
Check ahead to see if the orchard offers other activities, such as hayrides, farm stands, cider, or baked goods. You may find enough to turn apple picking into an entire afternoon.
Pro Tip: Take a bag with you to carry your apples in case they aren’t supplied by the orchard. These canvas bags are nice because they have a shoulder strap and a short handle.
3. Visit a Pumpkin Patch
Pumpkin patches practically scream fall, and they’re even more fun when everyone gets to pick out their own pumpkin.
Look for a farm or pumpkin patch where you can walk around and choose your pumpkin, but keep the size of the farm and activities in mind if you have younger children who may not want to walk long distances.
Not only are fresh pumpkins great for pies and cookies, but letting the kids choose their own pumpkin to carve makes the experience extra special.
And yes, you may end up with a pumpkin that is much bigger than the one you planned to buy.
4. Go Hiking and See the Fall Colors
Cooler fall temperatures make hiking much more enjoyable in many parts of the country.
Head out for a family walk and enjoy the changing leaves together. If you’re lucky enough to live near the mountains, fall can be an especially beautiful time to explore higher elevations, scenic overlooks, and trails surrounded by colorful trees.
You don’t have to tackle a difficult trail, either. Look for a shorter family-friendly hike or scenic nature trail that everyone can enjoy.
Pro Tip: Don’t assume cooler weather means you can skip the water. Bring enough for everyone, especially if you’re hiking farther than usual.
5. Play in a Leaf Pile
Sometimes the best fall activity doesn’t require leaving your backyard.
When the leaves start piling up, let the family join you while you’re doing yard work. It’s a great way to keep the kids occupied while you get things done.
You can even turn it into a game by hiding small toys or other items in the leaves for the kids to find.
And let’s be honest, grown-ups love jumping into leaf piles too!
6. Attend a Fall Festival
Fall festivals are a great way to get out of the house and experience something different with your family.
Many communities host autumn festivals with vendors, live music, food trucks, seasonal activities, games, and even costume contests. It’s also a fun way to support local businesses while spending time together.
Walk around, listen to the music, do a little shopping, try some fall food, and enjoy the atmosphere. Sometimes you don’t need a big plan. Just getting out together is enough.
7. Enter a Fall or Halloween Parade
Find a local Halloween, harvest, or fall parade that welcomes children of all ages and join the fun.
If there is one thing kids love to do, it’s dress up and get attention. A parade lets them do both. Whether they’re dressing up as their favorite character, wearing a homemade costume, or simply cheering from the sidewalk, a fall parade can be a fun family tradition.
And who doesn’t love a parade?
8. Visit a Fall Farmers Market
Fall farmers markets are full of seasonal sights, smells, and flavors, making them a great place to spend a morning or afternoon together.
Stroll through the market and check out the pumpkins, apples, fall produce, baked goods, and local products. It’s also a great way to get kids interested in fresh fruits and vegetables while giving you an excuse to bring home some delicious baked goods.
You might even find a new local favorite.
Pro Tip: These are where I tend to buy more than I meant to, so I always take this shopping bag on wheels. It saves me from carrying heavy bags all around the market.
9. Create a Fall Treasure Hunt for Your Family
You don’t need an organized event for a fun fall adventure. Create your own treasure hunt in the backyard or even during a family walk.
Hide a few favorite toys or other age-appropriate treats around the yard and encourage everyone to find them. Make it a contest with small prizes for the person who finds the most items.
Or switch things up and have the kids hide the items while the adults try to find them. You could even have prizes for the best hiding place and the most items found. Sometimes making up your own game is half the fun.
10. Enjoy an Outdoor Fall Picnic
Grab a blanket, pack some snacks, and head to a park for a fall picnic.
The cooler weather makes it much easier to sit outside and actually enjoy your lunch without melting in the heat or dealing with as many summer pests.
Keep lunch simple with sandwiches, chips, fruit, and your favorite drinks. Then spend some time playing frisbee, tossing a ball around, taking a walk, or simply relaxing together.
A fall picnic doesn’t have to be fancy. The setting does most of the work for you.
Pro Tip: Make sure your picnic basket is waterproof and has room to carry your plates, utensils and other essentials so you don’t have multiple things to carry.
11. Plan a Camping Getaway
Fall is a fantastic time for a camping getaway.
And camping doesn’t have to mean sleeping on the ground in a tent. You can choose a traditional campground, rent a cabin, try glamping, take the RV, or even create a backyard camping adventure with an air mattress and lots of blankets.
Being outside after dark can feel completely different in fall. There are different sounds, smells, and nighttime sights to experience, and the cooler temperatures can make sitting around a fire much more enjoyable.
Bring a jacket, make a fire, and enjoy some s’mores. That’s a pretty good fall evening.
12. Have a Fall Photo Shoot
Fall colors make an incredible backdrop for family photos.
If your family loves taking pictures, you can’t beat a fall backdrop. Head to a park, scenic trail, orchard, or even your own backyard and take advantage of the changing leaves.
You don’t need professional equipment or a fancy photo shoot. Grab your phone, find a pretty spot, and start taking pictures.
And yes, take way more pictures than you think you need. You can never have too many family photos.
13. Have a Movie and Game Day
Sometimes you just need a lazy fall day at home.
Grab the blankets and pillows, get the fireplace going, make some buttery popcorn, and gather the family together for a day spent playing games and watching movies.
Start with board games, card games, or whatever your family enjoys. Then bundle up for a favorite movie and, of course, more popcorn.
Not every fall family activity has to involve leaving the house.
14. Visit a Winery
This one may be more for the adults, but fall is a beautiful time to visit wine country.
Take a walk around the property, enjoy the scenery, and then relax outside with a glass of wine. Sitting down with wine and cheese while the fall colors surround you can make a great day trip.
If you’re bringing the whole family, check the winery’s policies before you go. Some welcome children, while others are adults-only.
15. Take a Ghost Walk Tour
Looking for something a little spookier?
If your town offers a ghost walking tour, bring the family along for some Halloween-season fun. It’s a chance to get some exercise, learn a little local history, and see your town from a completely different perspective.
You may hear stories about historic buildings, local legends, and supposedly haunted places along the way.
And once the tour is over, you can head to your favorite local spot for a great dessert. That’s a pretty good way to end a spooky evening.
Final Thoughts
Fall is such a fun season to spend time outdoors with family.
The temperatures are more comfortable, the scenery is beautiful, and there are so many little adventures hiding in the season, from jumping into leaf piles in your backyard to exploring a new trail, visiting a pumpkin patch, or taking a weekend getaway.
And that’s really the best part. You don’t need to take an elaborate vacation or spend a lot of money to make fall memories. Sometimes it’s the simple things that everyone remembers years later.
So, get outside, find something fun to do, and enjoy the season together.
We love sharing the tips and information we learn along the way to help you find great ways to spend time together. We hope to inspire you to find your adventures, have lots of fun and make many memories.
Learn More: How to Preserve Travel Memories: Creative Ways to Capture Your Adventures