Happy Autumn! Now's the perfect time to plan fun family activities for fall that you can work into weekends or school breaks.
Check out our favorite budget-friendly fall activities for a season full of creativity, adventure, and memories.
Decorating a pumpkin is a classic fall family activity that never loses its appeal.
First, head over to a local pumpkin patch (an exciting family adventure in itself!) or your preferred grocery store to pick out a few gourds.
Then, visit a craft store like Michaels for paints, brushes, and whatever other supplies grab your attention (like googly eyes or sequins).
Kids can choose from a variety of designs to decorate their pumpkins. Consider:
Older children can try their hand at pumpkin carving to make jack-o-lanterns (with your help and supervision).
Bring the fall aesthetic indoors with leaf rubbings. Help your children collect leaves of various sizes and textures, then start the craft by following these steps:
That’s it! Repeat this using as many colors or leaves as desired to create unique artwork that you can display throughout the season.
Source: getthekidsoutside.com
Introduce a new yard game to your kids. In the days leading up to Thanksgiving, head outside to play a game of catch, but 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.
For this fall family activity, experience the beauty of the season's colors with a drive, hike, or train ride. If you live in a region that doesn't quite have a "true" autumn, consider a day or weekend trip to an orchard, arboretum, garden, or national park.
To turn up the fun, plan a photo shoot with your kids or pets during your leaf-peeping adventure. Or, send the kids on a scavenger hunt to collect leaves of specific colors, acorns, pinecones, twigs, and more.
Combine your kids' love for the sticky putty with a themed craft that makes for an enticing indoor activity on cooler fall 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
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. (Don't forget to find your favorite grocery store on RaiseRight so you can earn while you're at it!)
To make s'mores night even more fall-themed, swap out graham crackers for Halloween or autumnal cookies, or use colored marshmallows.
Later, your family can exchange spooky stories or play Ghosts in the Graveyard—the "scary" version of Tag.
Fall 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:
No matter what fall family activities you're planning, RaiseRight can help you make the most of every moment without overspending.
Simply use RaiseRight for all your fall shopping needs, from craft supplies and groceries to outdoor gear and seasonal treats. Families can earn $1,000 or more yearly toward their cause, just by using RaiseRight while shopping, dining, or traveling.
Curious to see how much your household could earn in one year? Try our free earning potential calculator, then talk to your organization's fundraising manager about starting a free 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.