Crunching leaves, cooler weather, baked goods with ice cream—what’s not to love about the fall?
Not to mention the sheer variety of family activities for fall: between outdoor excursions and cozy indoor days, there’s truly something for every member of the family to enjoy as the seasons begin to shift.
In this guide, we’re here to offer inspiration for fall activities planning. We’ll explore seven things to do this fall that will stimulate creativity, conversation and (of course) unbridled autumnal joy!
Outdoor Adventures for the Fall Season
Let’s start with some must-do outdoor family activities for fall—fan favorites that will have you and your kids smiling from ear to ear.
#1 Apple or Pumpkin Picking
One of the most popular outdoor activities for fall (especially for kids) is picking produce—specifically, fall favorites like:
- Apples
- Pears
- Figs
- Plums
- Squash
- Pumpkins
Your options for pick-your-own produce will mostly depend on where you live; but even if you don’t live near a farm, there’s likely a pumpkin patch somewhere near you.
Whether you turn your bounty into a delicious pie or simply get your kids thinking about where the food we eat comes from, everyone in your family is sure to enjoy picking produce in the chilly autumn breeze.
#2 Tide Pools
While fall may not be the best time of year to hop into the ocean or plunge into the lake (unless you pack your wetsuits, of course), the waterfront still offers many chances to see local wildlife in action.
Case in point: tide pools. These small, isolated pockets of water host all kinds of marine life, like:
- Small fish
- Crustaceans and snails
- Frogs and toads
- Barnacles
Plus, tide pools are a prime target for prey animals like hawks and snakes—if you want to give your kids a taste of the food chain in action, take a trip to your nearest water body and try to scout out a flourishing underwater community.
#3 Nature Trails
As the warm summer air makes way for cooler fall temperatures, it is a great time to explore trails without breaking a sweat. Visiting a nature trail can also set the scene for other kid-friendly activities like:
- Geocaching
- Scavenger hunts
- Birdwatching
- Wildlife photography (even if it’s just with a smartphone camera)
Cozy Indoor Activities for Cooler Days
If it’s just too chilly to head outdoors for a fall family activity, consider hunker down down for some indoor fun. Let’s go through a few ideas that might spark your creativity for an indoor itinerary.
#4 Baking Fall Treats
Not sure what to do with that pick-your-own produce haul? How about whipping up some scrumptious fall desserts?
Kids love baking—and the whole family reaps the delicious rewards of a baking session. It’s also an opportunity to:
- Talk about baking science – Why do cookies rise? How do pie crusts get so flaky? Why do egg washes give treats such a glossy finish? Questions about baking can lead to insightful discoveries about chemical reactions (and other science topics).
- Make a mess – Baking is an excuse to make a mess: whether you’re rolling out bread dough on a flour-covered counter or licking the cake batter spoon. It’s a great lesson for kids: sometimes you need to break a few eggs to make an omelet (or an apple cobbler).
#5 Pillow Forts
Whether you’re stuck inside during a rainstorm or taking a relaxing day off after Halloween night, nothing strikes the perfect balance between creativity and coziness quite like a pillow fort.
But building the perfect pillow fort isn’t just about getting comfy. It also requires kids to channel some key skills like:
- Spatial awareness
- Improvisation (especially with materials)
- Balance and other physics concepts
Plus, a pillow fort is an excellent place to enjoy a good book, eat a snack or watch a movie.
Fall Festivals and Community Events
If you’re looking to get out of the house this fall, take a look at local events calendars to find kid-friendly fall events like:
- Harvest festivals
- Farmer’s markets
- Live music in the park
- Movie nights
Events like these offer an exceptional opportunity for kids to socialize, learn more about the world and see the value of community first-hand—all valuable lessons for the thinkers and leaders of tomorrow.
Creative Autumn Crafts for Families
If your kids catch the creative bug this fall, why not channel that energy into a fun craft session? Here are two ideas for kid-friendly art projects (that grown-ups are sure to enjoy, too).
#6 Fall Wreaths
Wreaths are simple to put together and display—they’re a perfect adornment for any door in your home.
To make this craft even more enriching, consider:
- Challenging kids to use “found” items; anything they can gather from the recycle bin or the backyard
- Printing a few pictures or clipart doodles for kids to incorporate into their designs
- Creating an edible wreath: a round fruit and cheese appetizer to snack on before dinner, for instance
#7 Napkin Origami
If you’re hosting a family meal this fall and your kids want to contribute their creative talents, introduce them to origami—the art of folding paper squares into animals, flowers and other shapes. Using paper or fabric napkins, kids can create origami napkin shapes for guests to enjoy.
Camp Galileo: Inspiring Fun During All Four Seasons
Parents have nearly countless options when it comes to planning family activities for fall—between outdoor excursions and cozy indoor projects, there are plenty of ways to inspire inquisitiveness this autumn.
At Camp Galileo, that’s what we’re all about: inspiring the next generation of innovators to think outside the box, learn how the world works and express themselves through creation.
From kindergarten to 8th grade, Camp Galileo provides campers with hands-on, educator-led STEAM activities, outdoor adventures and more. We also provide a Counselor In Training program for 8th-10th graders at select locations. But the fun doesn’t have to stop when summer ends. We encourage our campers to keep thinking big all year long.
Ready to discover the best summer camps out there? Enroll at Camp Galileo now.
Sources:
- Geocaching Official Blog. “What Is Geocaching?”.
https://www.geocaching.com/blog/2018/03/what-is-geocaching/. - Margolin Susan C.. “Why Kids Love Building Forts—And Why Experts Say They Might Need Them
More Than Ever”. The Washington Post. 18 May 2020. https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2020/05/18/why-kids-love-building-forts-why-experts-say-they-might-need-them-more-than-ever/. - National Ocean Service. “What is a Tide Pool?”. National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration. 16 June 2024 https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/tide-pool.html. - Origami Way. “What Is Origami?”. https://www.origamiway.com/what-is-origami.shtml.
- Zauberman Kara. “15 Fall Fruits for a Sweet Harvest Season”. The Pioneer Woman. 9 July 2024.
https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/cooking-tips-tutorials/g44131843/fall-fruits/.
