Fall is a magical time of year, especially if you have little ones who are old enough to enjoy the season. From trips to the pumpkin patch to baking cinnamon-filled treats, there is no shortage of fun ways to pass the time as the temperatures start to drop and the leaves begin to change. If you’re looking for a little inspiration, you’ve come to the right place! We’ve put together a list of 40 fall activities for kids we think you’ll love.  Whether you’re looking to enjoy the great outdoors or settle into a cozy afternoon of crafts and pumpkin spice treats, there’s a little something for everyone on this list. Embrace this beautiful time of year while you can because time flies when you’re having fun. 

Table of Contents

1. Outdoor Activities 
2. Arts & Crafts
3. Fall Baking 
4. Spooky Fun 

Fun Fall Activities for Kids: From Pumpkin Patches to Apple Pies and Everything in Between

Outdoor Activities 

If you’re looking for fall activities to do with kids, getting outside to enjoy the beautiful scenery and crisp air is a wonderful place to start. Here are a few suggestions for outdoor fun fall activities for kids.

1. Head to the pumpkin patch. Nothing says fall like a trip to the pumpkin patch. Look for local farms in your area and make a day of it. If you’re planning to visit on Halloween weekend, be sure to get there early so you can beat the crowds. 
2. Rake those leaves. Raking a pile of leaves for your child to frolic in will help you tidy up your backyard and tire out your little ones, plus you’ll both have fun along the way. We call that a win-win! 
3. Go apple picking. If the pumpkin patch isn’t your thing, search for a local apple orchard to visit. Find a recipe you can try out when you get home to use up some of your harvest haul. 
4. Weave your way through a corn maze. Local farms often host corn mazes for kids in the fall months. It’s a fun and interactive way to work on problem-solving skills with your little one. 
5. Head to a Farmer’s Market. Fall is a great opportunity to start teaching your children about where their food comes from. Head to a local farmer’s market and teach your little one about the fall harvest season.  
6. Go for a hike. There’s not a more beautiful time to go for a hike with your kids. When the colors start to change and the temperature is refreshing and crisp, plan a short hike to a nice lookout point where you can enjoy Mother Nature in all her glory! Be sure to pack cozy, breathable tops and pants. 
7. Plant bulbs for the spring. Gardeners know that if you want a beautiful spring garden, your work begins in the fall. If you’re planning on planting some spring bulbs, get your little ones to help out. They’ll feel proud and excited in the spring when their hard work pays off. 
8. Play I Spy. With vibrant colors everywhere, I spy is a great game to play in the fall. Bundle up, go for a walk, and teach your little one about the great outdoors. 
9. Set up a fire pit. If you’re hoping to continue to enjoy the fresh air as the temperatures begin to drop, build a fire pit in your backyard so you can enjoy as many outdoor autumn evenings as possible.  
10. Go for a drive to see the fall colors. Plan a fun road trip to a beautiful lookout point where you can take in the changing leaves. 
11. Go on a fall scavenger hunt. Looking for a fall adventure? Set your little ones up with a scavenger hunt around the backyard. Give them a checklist of fall items to collect and let them explore. 
12. Schedule a fall family photoshoot. The changing leaves make a beautiful backdrop for a family portrait so get your little ones into a cozy autumnal outfit and say cheese! 
13. Go for a hayride. If you’re looking for fall activities for a preschooler, a hayride is a great option since it allows your little one to sit back and take in the sights. 
14. Have a stargazing night. Teach your children about the harvest moon with an evening of stargazing night. Bundle up with some cozy blankets, pour a cup of hot chocolate, and enjoy the soft glow of the moonlight.  

Arts & Crafts

If you’ve already enjoyed some outdoor fall activities for kids, you might be ready to head inside and warm up. Arts & crafts are a great way to embrace the season from the comfort of home. Here are a few fall-themed arts & crafts activities you can try out with your children.  

1. Build an autumn wreath for your front door. Create something together that your child can display proudly for the season. 
2. Make leaf rubbings. Collect some leaves, place them under a piece of paper and color overtop with a crayon to create a beautiful piece of art. 
3. Get ready for Thanksgiving dinner. Collect some pinecones and colorful leaves to decorate your Thanksgiving table.  
4. Make a scarecrow. Building a scarecrow is surprisingly easy. All you need are some old clothes, a bit of hay for stuffing, and a pole to mount your creation. 
5. Make a gratitude tree. Autumn is a great time of year to reflect on what we’re grateful for. Draw a tree trunk and cut out some leaves. Ask your children to write down what they’re thankful for on a leaf and add it to the tree. You can do this throughout the season and watch the tree grow as you count your blessings together.   
6. Make a handprint turkey. You might remember this easy craft from your own childhood. Share it with the next generation to carry on the tradition. 
7. Decorate pinecones. Collect some pinecones from the backyard and set your little ones up with some glue and a few pompoms, felt, and googly eyes to create some woodland creatures. 
8. Make place settings for Thanksgiving. Gathering for a big Thanksgiving dinner? Get your children to help by creating place settings for friends and family.  
9. Create some apple stamp art. If you came home with a few too many apples after your trip to the orchard, don’t worry! Apple stamping is a great craft to help your kids embrace the season! 
10. Have an at-home spa day. Let their imaginations run wild with a cozy spa day. Mix some fall-inspired face masks or set up a relaxing cinnamon foot soak and enjoy it together. 

Fall Baking 

If you’re looking for great fall activities for kids who are old enough to lend a helping hand in the kitchen, baking is the way to go! Simple recipes you can create together are a fun way to get your little ones involved in meals. 

1. Make a kid-friendly pumpkin spice drink. Warm milk, a pinch of cinnamon, a hint of brown sugar, and a dash of pumpkin puree are all you need to make a cozy fall drink your child can enjoy with you. 
2. Roast pumpkin seeds. Finished with your pumpkin carving? Be sure to save the seeds to roast. They make a delicious and healthy snack. 
3. Bake apple chips. Slice up a few apples, sprinkle them with cinnamon, and pop them in the oven for a fall treat you’ll all love. 
4. Make apple cider. Speaking of apple treats, making a cup of apple cider together is an extra-festive way to celebrate the season since your whole house will smell of cinnamon and cloves by the time you’re done. 
5. Bake a pumpkin pie. Nothing says fall like a pumpkin pie. Mixing the filling ingredients is a kid-friendly task your children can help out with. 
6. Make applesauce. Apple sauce is surprisingly easy to make at home and if you plan it properly it will last for months. 
7. Cook a pot of homemade soup together. Fall isn’t just about pumpkin spice, a hardy soup featuring fall gourds and warming spices is another great dish to try out with your kids.  
8. Make a cup of hot chocolate. Hot chocolate season starts in the fall. Make a healthy version with coconut milk, a tablespoon of cacao, and a few drops of vanilla. 

Spooky Fun 

We couldn’t make a list of fall activities for kids without mentioning Halloween. If your little one loves spooky season here are a few ways you can celebrate together. 

1. Work on your Halloween costumes. Homemade Halloween costumes are great because you and your children can work on them together leading up to the big day. 
2. Carve a spooky pumpkin. Pumpkin carving is a must for any Halloween lover. Pro tip: printing out a template makes the process a lot easier. 
3. Check out a haunted house. If your children are old enough for some spooky fun, find a kid-friendly haunted house that won’t be too scary or overwhelming. 
4. Have a Halloween movie marathon. There are plenty of Halloween movies your older children can enjoy that won’t keep them up at night. Hocus Pocus, anyone? 
5. Organize a costume parade. Give your kids a chance to show off their costumes with a neighborhood costume parade. 
6. Build a Halloween gingerbread house. Who says gingerbread houses are only for Christmas? Why not build a spooky haunted gingerbread house instead? Think candy corn laneways and marshmallow ghosts. 
7. Make miniature ghosts. Speaking of ghosts … a string, a few tissues, some cotton balls, and a black marker are all you need to create a ghost garland decoration to celebrate spooky season. 
8. Play Ghost in the Graveyard. This classic Halloween game is easy to play. Select a player to be the ‘ghost’ for the first round and send them off to hide. After they find their hiding spot, the other players can start searching for the ghost. Once someone has found the ghost, they scream ‘Ghost in the graveyard!’. The ghost then tries to tag as many players as they can before they reach the safety of home base.