When temperatures cool off and those “-ber” months roll in, it’s hard not to start thinking about the type of fall activities for families that you, as a parent, can easily incorporate into your weekends and school breaks.
Fortunately, we’re here to help with our top fun fall family activities. Take a look below and start planning for a season of creativity, adventure, and unforgettable memories.
A classic fall activity that never loses its appeal is decorating a pumpkin. To start, you and your children can head to a pumpkin patch or preferred grocery store to pick out a few gourds. Then, visit an arts and crafts store like Michaels or JOANN for paints, brushes, and whatever other craft supplies grab your attention (like googley eyes or sequins).
Kids can choose from any variety of designs to decorate their pumpkins. You might suggest:
Older children can even try pumpkin carving to make jack-o-lanterns (with your help and supervision).
A unique fall activity for the whole family is leaf rubbings. Encourage your children to collect leaves of various sizes and textures. Then, you can start the craft:
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
Introduce a new yard game to your kids by playing “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.
Thankful Ball is a “gratitude” twist on the average game of catch. It helps bring your group into the spirit of the season—and lets you enjoy some light outdoor activity at the same time.
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 certain 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 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
The weather usually starts to cool down in the fall, making it the perfect time for a backyard fire. Wait until the sun sets, then start a campfire or smokeless fire pit. 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.
Autumn is the beginning of the “giving” season—a time known for being thankful. What better way to get into the spirit of giving than by doing something for family, friends, or community?
For example, one activity you can engage your kids in is raking neighbors’ leaves. Of course, there are other ways to get involved, too, such as:
Now that you have some ideas for fun family activities this fall, it’s time to start shopping—and with RaiseRight, you can support the causes you care about while you shop! Our fundraisers make it easy to earn for you or your child’s organization with everyday purchases, like groceries, gas, or family entertainment.
Not yet participating in a RaiseRight program? Here’s how it works:
With hundreds of brands to choose from, there's something for everyone on the RaiseRight platform. RaiseRight makes it easy to earn for your child or favorite organization all season long!