As the crisp air and colorful leaves of autumn set in, it’s the perfect time to embrace a season of fun and creativity with your kids. Fall is a time to explore the outdoors, dive into crafty projects, and enjoy the many festivities that the season brings. Whether you’re seeking activities for a weekend at home, a family outing, or something special to make lasting memories, there’s something for everyone. In this guide, we’ll explore an array of fun fall activities for kids that will keep them engaged, happy, and learning all season long. Thanks to The Kids Point, these suggestions aim to inspire a fun-filled autumn for your family, both inside and out!
Crafting Fun for Fall
Crafting with kids is a fantastic way to bond, spark creativity, and embrace the beauty of the season. Fall offers a wealth of natural materials and festive themes that make for great crafting. Here are some fun fall craft ideas to get your little ones excited:
Leaf Prints and Paintings
Take a walk outside to collect fallen leaves of various shapes and sizes. Once you have a good variety, spread out some paper and paint. Dip the leaves into paint and press them onto the paper to create beautiful imprints. The texture and detail of each leaf make it a perfect canvas for colorful artwork.
Pumpkin Decorating
Instead of the traditional pumpkin carving, why not try decorating pumpkins with your kids using paints, stickers, ribbons, and googly eyes? It’s a great way to create personalized, mess-free decorations. You can even turn the pumpkins into characters like ghosts, animals, or spooky faces to match the season.
Pinecone Critters
Head outdoors and gather pinecones. These natural materials are perfect for creating cute animals, like hedgehogs, owls, or even spiders. Add googly eyes, pipe cleaners, felt, and buttons to bring these pinecone creatures to life. These little critters make great table decorations or fall-themed toys.
Paper Bag Scarecrows
Use brown paper bags to create adorable scarecrows. Fill the bags with tissue paper or plastic bags for volume, then dress them up with a straw hat, googly eyes, a button nose, and a big, silly smile. These scarecrows make a charming addition to your fall décor.
Autumn Sensory Bottles
Sensory activities are ideal for young kids, and an autumn-themed sensory bottle is an engaging way to explore the season. Fill a clear bottle with colorful autumn leaves, mini pumpkins, acorns, and even a bit of glitter to capture the essence of fall. These bottles can be shaken, rolled, or observed for a calming and sensory experience.
Exploring the Outdoors
Fall is the perfect time to get outdoors and experience nature in all its autumnal glory. With the air crisp and the landscape filled with vibrant colors, these outdoor activities will keep your kids active and connected with the beauty of the season.
Leaf-Peeping Adventures
One of the most magical aspects of fall is the changing colors of the leaves. Take a trip to a local park, forest, or nature reserve and embark on a leaf-peeping adventure. Help your children identify different types of trees and leaves, and let them gather a few to bring home for crafting or preservation.
Corn Maze Fun
A visit to a corn maze is a quintessential fall activity for kids. It’s an exciting way to explore the outdoors, work together as a family, and enjoy the thrills of getting lost in a maze. Many farms and pumpkin patches offer corn mazes of varying sizes, so be sure to pick one that suits your child’s age and comfort level.
Apple Picking
What better way to enjoy the autumn harvest than by visiting an apple orchard with your kids? Apple picking is a fun and educational activity that allows children to explore the orchard, pick fresh apples, and learn about different apple varieties. Once you’ve gathered your bounty, head home and make homemade apple pie, applesauce, or apple cider!
Pumpkin Patch Visit
A trip to the pumpkin patch is a must for fall. Let your kids explore the field, choose their perfect pumpkins, and then carve or decorate them together at home. Many pumpkin patches also offer fun activities like hayrides, corn pits, or petting zoos, making it a full day of outdoor adventure.
Outdoor Scavenger Hunt
Create a fall-themed scavenger hunt with your kids. List things like acorns, pinecones, a red leaf, a bird’s nest, or a pumpkin. Set them off on an adventure to find these items, and offer a small reward for completing the hunt. This is a great way to teach kids about nature while having fun in the fresh air.
Backyard Camping
Even if you’re not planning a big camping trip, you can set up a tent in the backyard and enjoy the crisp fall nights under the stars. Roast marshmallows, tell stories, and enjoy the great outdoors from the comfort of your own backyard. Camping activities like stargazing, shadow puppets, and campfire songs are all part of the fall magic.
Autumn Bike Ride
Riding bikes through neighborhoods and parks during fall is a wonderful way to enjoy the changing colors and cooler weather. Pack a small picnic and stop along the way to admire the scenery or rest in a cozy park. Riding bikes allows kids to be active while soaking up the beauty of the season.
Fun Fall Activities for the Whole Family
In addition to crafting and outdoor exploration, fall is the perfect time to gather your family and take part in some seasonal activities. Here are a few fun ideas to enjoy with everyone:
Baking Seasonal Treats
Fall is synonymous with delicious, cozy treats. Bake pumpkin bread, apple pie, cinnamon rolls, or gingerbread cookies with your kids. Not only will this fill your home with amazing smells, but it also provides the perfect opportunity to teach your children valuable kitchen skills.
Fall-Themed Family Movie Night
Settle in for a family movie night with a fall-themed film marathon. Watch family-friendly classics like Hocus Pocus, It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, or The Nightmare Before Christmas. Don’t forget the popcorn and hot cider to complete the cozy evening.
DIY Fall Decorations
Decorating the house with fall-themed crafts can be a great way to celebrate the season. Let your kids create their own paper leaf garlands, paint pumpkins, or design scarecrows to hang in the front yard. These DIY decorations add a personal touch to your home and will keep your little ones busy for hours.
Fall Story Time
Reading fall-themed books with your kids can help them appreciate the season even more. Some great autumnal books include The Little Yellow Leaf, Leaf Man, and The Pumpkin Patch Parable. Enjoy these stories together by the fire or cozy up in a blanket fort for extra fun.
Host a Fall Festival at Home
You don’t have to go to a big event to have a fall festival. Set up a mini fall festival right in your own backyard! You can have a pumpkin decorating contest, a bobbing for apples station, a mini maze, and plenty of fall snacks. Invite other families or friends to join in the fun.
Fall Activities to Do Indoors
As the weather cools down, there will be some days when staying inside is the best option. But don’t worry—there’s no shortage of fun indoor fall activities to keep your kids entertained!
Fall Sensory Bins
Create a sensory bin filled with items like small pumpkins, dried corn, acorns, and autumn-scented oils. Let your children dig through the bin, feeling the different textures and scents. Sensory bins are a great way to engage toddlers and preschoolers in a hands-on, educational activity.
Crafty Pumpkins with Paper Mâché
If you want a longer, more involved craft, try making paper mâché pumpkins with your kids. This project will teach them the art of layering and patience as they form their pumpkin shapes. Once the pumpkins dry, they can be painted and decorated however your kids desire.
Autumn-Themed Puzzles
Puzzles are a great way to slow down and enjoy some quiet family time. There are many autumn-themed puzzles available featuring vibrant leaves, pumpkins, and other fall imagery. Set up a puzzle station at home where kids can work on them during the weekend.
DIY Autumn Spa Day
Have fun pampering your kids with an autumn-themed spa day. You can make homemade sugar scrubs with cinnamon and sugar, create scented bath bombs with apple or pumpkin spice, and enjoy a relaxing, cozy day indoors.
Whether you’re crafting, adventuring outdoors, or enjoying family fun indoors, fall provides an abundance of activities to keep your kids entertained and engaged. From creating seasonal crafts to exploring the beauty of nature, fall offers a world of opportunities for learning, playing, and bonding. At “The Kids Point,” we believe in the magic of fall and encourage families to take full advantage of this wonderful season. With these creative and fun fall activities, your kids are sure to have a memorable and joy-filled autumn. Happy fall adventures!