When temperatures cool down and those "-ber" months roll in, it’s the perfect time to plan fall family activities that you, as a parent, can easily incorporate into your weekends or school breaks.
Check out these ideas and activities below for a season of creativity, adventure, and lasting memories.
1. Paint or carve pumpkins
Decorating a pumpkin is a classic fall family activity that never loses its appeal!
First, head over to a local pumpkin patch or your preferred grocery store to pick out a few gourds. Then, visit an arts and crafts store like Michaels for paints, brushes, and whatever other craft supplies grab your attention (like googly eyes or sequins).
Kids can choose from a variety of designs to decorate their pumpkins. You might suggest:
- Zombie faces
- Black cats
- Scarecrow faces
- Monsters
- Candy corn
- Ghosts
Older children can even try pumpkin carving to make jack-o-lanterns (with your help and supervision).
2. Make leaf rubbings
Try leaf rubbings—a creative, hands-on way for the whole family to enjoy the beauty of fall. Help your children collect leaves of various sizes and textures, then start the craft by following these steps:
- Put leaves with the bottom facing upward under a thin sheet of paper.
- Remove the wrapper from a crayon and rub it lengthwise over the sheet of paper, holding the leaf in place.
- Watch as the outline and texture of the leaves appear on the paper.
That’s it! Repeat using as many colors and leaves as desired to create a unique piece of art you can display throughout autumn.
Source: getthekidsoutside.com
3. Play a game of "Thankful Ball"
Introduce a new yard game to your kids with "Thankful Ball." In the days leading up to Thanksgiving, head outside to play a game of catch. The only difference is that players must say something they’re thankful for before tossing the ball.
This game gets everyone into the fall spirit while enjoying light outdoor fun.
4. Enjoy peak leaf-peeping season
Explore fall colors with a drive, hike, or train ride through the changing forests.
Want to turn up the fun? Suggestions from realsimple.com include having a photo shoot with your kids and pets during your leaf-peeping. Or, send the kids on a scavenger hunt to collect leaves of specific colors, acorns, pinecones, twigs, and more.
5. Create Halloween or fall-themed slime
Combine your kids’ love for the sticky putty with a themed craft that makes for an enticing indoor activity on cooler evenings.
If you’re familiar with slime-making, grab craft supplies from a department store, including autumn-colored glitter, food coloring, or charms. For families new to DIY slime, try this Fall Harvest Glitter recipe with a touch of fragrance!
Source: steampoweredfamily.com
6. Host a campfire night with s'mores
As the air turns crisp, there’s nothing better than gathering around a backyard fire. Once the sun sets, start a campfire or smokeless fire pit, and set up a table with goodies for s’mores, including graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows. (Pro-tip: stock up on ingredients via Instacart or your favorite grocery store on RaiseRight, so you can earn while having fun.)
Want to make it more fall-themed? Swap out graham crackers for Halloween or autumnal cookies. Colored marshmallows can be another fun alternative for a fall s’mores night.
Later, you can swap spooky stories or play Ghosts in the Graveyard—the "scary" version of Tag.
7. Give back to the community
Autumn marks the start of "giving” season—a time to be thankful and express gratitude. Why not celebrate by giving back to your family, friends, or community?
Here are some fall family give-back ideas you can do with your kids:
- Offer to rake neighbors' leaves
- Volunteer at a local food pantry
- Help neighbors decorate their porches or lawns for the holidays
- Donate books to your town’s public library or "little library"
- Bake treats for neighbors, friends, or family members
Budget for fall fun with RaiseRight
When you’re planning fun family activities for fall—like leaf rubbings, backyard campfires, or pumpkin patch outings—RaiseRight can help you make the most of every moment without overspending.
Simply buy gift cards or shop online through RaiseRight for all your fall needs, from craft supplies and groceries to outdoor gear and seasonal treats. Families can earn $1,000 or more annually toward their fundraising cause, just by using RaiseRight wherever they shop or dine.
Curious to see how much your household could earn in one year? Try our free earning potential calculator, then talk to your organization's treasurer or fundraising manager about starting a free RaiseRight program.
If your preferred organization is already earning with RaiseRight, you just need your enrollment code to create an account and begin fundraising right away.
