Fun Fall Activities for Kids - Happy Little Moments

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30 Fun Fall Activities for Kids

Since becoming a parent, I’ve developed a deep love for the fall and the Halloween season—especially when it comes to all the fun activities for kids. There’s something about the crisp air and colorful leaves that gets my creativity going, and I look forward to all the experiences and the memories we can make as a family. Fall is the perfect time to have nearly endless experiences with our children.

We all want to create special moments with our families, and fall is packed with opportunities to do just that. Whether you’re carving pumpkins, decorating your home with spooky (or cute!) Halloween touches, baking seasonal treats, or even planning a scavenger hunt, there’s no shortage of ways to make the season special. And who can resist the joy of gathering around a bonfire to make s’mores under the stars?

It can be overwhelming with so many exciting options to choose from, but you’re not alone if you feel like you want to do it all. Trust me, I get it! My best advice is to prioritize the activities that matter most to you and your family, then schedule them throughout October and November. That way, you can enjoy the best of the season without feeling rushed.

So, let’s dive in! I’m beyond excited to share this list of fun fall activities for families—and I hope you can feel my enthusiasm too. Let’s make this the best season yet!

30 Fun Fall Activities for Kids

halloween Activities

1). Have a fun-filled Halloween movie night. I’m not talking about super scary here. Ya’ll, I’m the biggest wuss when it comes to scary movies. But I love a cute Halloween-themed kids’ movie! Watch movies like Hotel Transylvania, Super Monsters, Coco, Monsters Inc., or The Muppets Haunted Mansion. If your kids are old enough, pull out the Harry Potter, Hocus Pocus, Casper, or the Addams Family classic movies! Who doesn’t love a good movie night?

2). Make some Halloween crafts with your kids, such as:

Fun with Pumpkins

9). Visit a Pumpkin Patch. This is hands down my favorite fall activity. Some pumpkin patches go all out on activities for kids. Personally, I love the corn mazes, hay rides, and other fun things these places have set up for kids.

10). Who could have Halloween without carving pumpkins? This is a fall activity my family looks forward to every year. You can have a friendly, family competition about making the best pumpkin. Have your kids sketch what they’d like their pumpkin to look like and you can help them bring it to life. You can even have your kids name your pumpkins!

11). Roast Pumpkin seeds together. All you have to do is rinse your pumpkin seeds and coat them with olive oil and salt and any other seasonings you’d like to try. Then, line your baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the pumpkin seeds on the baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes.

12). If carving pumpkins isn’t your jam, no worries! You and your kids can paint pumpkins instead. Plus, it’s tons of fun, less messy, and you don’t have to worry about anyone hurting themselves! Let your child’s creativity soar as they paint jack-o-lantern faces.

13). Let your kids have some sensory play with the pumpkin seeds. I have to admit, I’m a little squeamish about the ooey-gooey inside of a pumpkin, but kids love this sensory activity. Even if they don’t enjoy the squishy inside of a pumpkin, it’s a good sensory experience for all children each year.

Fun Fall Acitivities for Kids: Outdoors

14). Apple Picking. Go on an apple-picking adventure in your area. There are lots of farm apple orchards, and it’s so much fun to pick fruit with the kids. They also learn where their food comes from—not just from the grocery store!

15). Rake the leaves and let the kids dive in! I loved doing this as a child, so I love being able to do it with our kids in the fall.

16). Play hide-and-seek with glow sticks. Hide them around your house (under cushions, in cabinets, etc.) and then turn off the lights. Have your kids find them around the house! You can also hide them in your yard, and everyone looks for them after dark. (Don’t forget your flashlights!)

17). Go on a Nature Hike. Hiking in the fall is the best. Getting out in nature as the leaves are turning is beautiful and relaxing. Let your kids take the lead and take your time. If you let them, they’ll find all kinds of interesting things you would have missed on the trail. Let them look at the ladybug or pick up the rocks and snails they find.

18). Collect leaves on your hike or from your yard. Then, let your kids get creative, gluing them to construction paper. They can make their own leaf collages to hang on the refrigerator.

19). Plant bulbs with your kids. Have the kids plant some bulbs with you that will bloom next year. In our world of instant gratification, it’s important to teach our children than there’s tremendous value in waiting for things.

20). Go to an amusement park for a Fall Festival. Most amusement parks capitalize on having a fall festival or a Halloween extravaganza. Make an effort to make it to these for a spooky experience or for some bluegrass, wholesome fun.

21). Bonfire for the Kids. Having bonfires and making smores with our children is one our favorite fall activities. While we sometimes do these in the summer, too, it’s the most fun when the weather is just a tad chilly – good hoodie weather!

22). Take the Kids Fishing. Getting the children out into nature in silence is good for everyone’s mental health. In our busy lives, we all forget how important it is to touch grass. Our son loves to go fishing with his grandfather every chance he gets.

23). Feed the birds with a birdfeeder. You can make a birdfeeder, or you can purchase one for your kids. It’s fun to watch the birds (and squirrels) eat the bird food you put out. You may have to put out food nearly daily because it tends to go quick!

Fun Fall Activities for Kids: Indoors

24). Apple Stamping. This is a favorite family craft. Take an apple and slice it in half. Then dip the apple in paint and stamp it to make a unique creation together. You can do this together with a poster board, or you can do your own pieces of art.

25). Fall Baking. Baking a simple Banana bread or pumpkin bread together is always a family favorite in our home. You can also try these Halloween treats!

26). Decorate the House. Your kids can help you make your home cozy and fall-themed, or you can go all in on a creepy Halloween theme throughout your house. Either way, your kids will love helping you put fall touches around the house to make things super festive.

27). Have a Glow Party. Break out the Glow Sticks, turn up the music and have a family glow party at home! Songs like Monster Mash, Thriller, The Floor is Lava, or Ghostbusters are great for starting this family party.

28). Make hot apple cider. Cozying up with hot apple cider, a blanket, and a good movie together is a fantastic fall activity for families.

29). Read Fall or Halloween-themed books together. Some of our favorites are:

30). Make a sensory bin of corn. Have you ever felt dried corn in a bucket or bin? It’s actually quite soothing. Set up a sensory bin with toys to entertain your kids for a long time. Be sure to stress that the corn stays in the bin!

There are so many wonderful ways to experience fall with your kids, and the possibilities feel almost endless! From pumpkin patches to cozy bonfires, it’s tempting to want to do it all. But here’s the thing—it’s okay if you can’t fit everything in. The key is to pick your favorites and make those moments together count.

Fall is such a magical time to create memories with your family, and the best part is simply being present and enjoying each other’s company. Whether it’s baking seasonal treats or taking a scenic walk through the leaves, it’s all about those special moments.