Fall is a magical time of year that brings crisp air, colorful leaves, and endless opportunities for family adventures. Autumn offers something for everyone - festive events, outdoor activities, and seasonal treats. Here's a list of our family's favorite fall outdoor activities.
Apple Picking
We live in apple country, and nothing says fall like a visit to our local orchard to stock up on apples for the season. Apple picking is a great way to try new varieties – some of our local orchards grow over 40 different kinds of apples!
Every fall, we spend an afternoon picking our favorite apples to enjoy all season long. Apples store well in the fridge, so we pick a lot for snacking and to make our favorite desserts, applesauce, and pie filling.
I enjoy picking apples together as a family because I like to support local farmers and businesses, my kids get a sense of where their food comes from (and part of the work involved in producing food), and the apples are cheaper when you put the time in to pick them yourself.
Tip: Many of the orchards in our area also offer hayrides, corn mazes, and petting zoos (also included on our list), so you can make an entire day out of it if you’d like.
Pumpkin Patch Visit
A visit to your local farm to find your perfect pumpkin for carving, decorating, or eating is also a must. Our local pumpkin patch seems to go on forever and my kids enjoy exploring the fields to find the shape and size they want. Plus, it’s a great place to take fall family photos. One note – dress appropriately – you’re on a farm and pumpkin patches can be muddy and messy.
Bonus: Even if you don’t buy pumpkins for eating, be sure to save the seeds for roasting—they are delicious and healthy!
Visit a Corn Maze
If your family enjoys outdoor adventures, navigating through a maze can be a fun challenge for the whole family. Some farms even offer haunted mazes at night for older kids and adults who want a spookier experience. We’re daytime corn maze visitors, but our friends love the thrill of it at night.
We have tons of cornfields in our area and there are several mazes to enjoy, ranging from 5 minutes to 2 hours to complete. Find one that’s best for your family – it’s a great way to practice teamwork and build problem-solving skills while having fun as a family.
Note: Stay together as a family. No one will have fun if they become separated from the group.
Visit your Local Farm
I get it – some people don’t want to pick their own apples or pumpkins, or search around for an exit inside a corn maze. If that’s you, there’s still lots of reasons to visit and support your local farms in the fall.
Many farms offer hayrides, petting zoos, and crafts for kids. They are also the best place to shop for fall home décor such as haybales, corn stalks, mums, and pumpkins. These items are grown locally and you support local businesses when you buy from farmers. Plus, many farms have tasty homemade meals and seasonal treats available to enjoy!
Fall Nature Walks and Hikes
We love outdoor adventures and the beauty of autumn’s changing colors, cooler temperatures, and decrease in bugs makes it the perfect time to take a hike and explore nature.
Head to a nearby park, forest, or wildlife preserve for a family hike and take in the scenery. Along your walk, teach your kids about the different types of trees and animals they may encounter. You can also have an informal nature scavenger hunt. Many state parks have clearly-marked trails with nature-related signs to read along the way.
Tip: Bring plenty of water and snacks for everyone! For a festive touch, pack apple cider and apple muffins for a post-hike treat!
Take a Scenic Drive
Inevitably sometime this fall, we will want to get out of the house, but simply don’t want to stroll through the woods. Maybe we’re too tired, it’s cold outside, or the kids have runny noses. These are the days when I pack some snacks and drinks, hop in the car, and take a scenic drive to enjoy the beautiful fall foliage.
There’s something special about taking an out-of-the-way road and seeing nature’s vibrant fall colors from the comfort of your car. We usually head in the direction we don’t normally travel, stop at small towns, pull-offs, and roadside farmers’ stands along the way for a true fall road trip experience.
Note: We have a no-screens policy during our drive. Observing and taking in the surroundings is part of the experience.
Camping Trip
My favorite time of year to go camping is the fall. The days are still warm and the nights are cool (if you’ve ever woken up in a hot tent, you’ll understand why cool evenings are preferred).
The humidity is all but gone and with the sun setting earlier, there’s plenty of time to sit around the campfire, drink hot chocolate, make s’mores, and stargaze. Each year, we pick a new place to visit and stay 1-3 nights in our tent or rent a cabin.
Tip: Campgrounds are less crowded and the rates are cheaper in the fall. Plus, many of them hold fall and Halloween events on the weekends.
Beach Trip
OK, you may be noticing a theme here, but as homeschoolers, we love to travel in the fall when everything is less crowded and often less expensive. The beach is no exception. I absolutely love the beach and always fit one short trip into our fall schedule.
The ocean is still warm enough for swimming and lots of beach hotels have heated outdoor pools or indoor pools. September is a great month to visit the beach. It’s a fraction of the cost of the summer and you can stay for 2-3 nights instead of having to rent a place for the entire week.
Football Game
For many people, when they think of fall, they think about football. This is a great time to head to your local high school, college, or university and support your local team by cheering them on in the stands. This fall family outing is also a great place to meet up with friends.
Tip: With cooler nights, it’s a good idea to bring an extra layer to wear and a blanket to sit on.
Bird Migration
If your family is interested in birds, consider visiting a local birding spot to see how many birds you can see. In the US, fall bird migration is typically between August 1 and November 30. Near us, we have several spots where you can go to observe and count raptors as they fly over the mountain. Check out BirdCast to see live bird migration maps in your area.
Fall Fishing
Fall is a fantastic time to go fishing, especially from the shore, as larger fish move closer to the banks to find cover and feast on smaller baitfish, like shad. If you’re new to fishing, try using worms as bait. Many types of fish eat worms (bass, catfish, panfish, and trout, to name a few) and you can dig them up in your backyard or pick some up at a grocery store or gas station. Be sure to bring drinks and snacks or pack a picnic.
Park Day
Speaking of picnics, one of our favorite things to do in the fall is visit parks. You know when you go to the park in the summer and the slide is simply too hot to slide down? Well, in the fall, the cooler weather makes the park even more enjoyable.
Each fall, we dedicate at least one day to search out a nearby top-rated park that we have never visited. I pack a lunch or we pick up sandwiches to eat and we spend the afternoon playing on the playground, walking the nature trails, and having a picnic. It’s a simple way to spend the day, but we always have so much fun!
Attend a Local Fall Festival
This list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning fall festivals. Just like summer fairs, fall festivals are a staple of the season and offer tons of family fun. You can shop for crafts and home décor, play carnival games, and listen to live music while you eat hot food from local vendors.
Check your local paper and community Facebook pages to find events that include fun activities like costume contests, scarecrow building, or pumpkin carving competitions.
Create Family Memories with Fun Fall Family Outings
Hearing about other’s experiences can often help us come up with new ideas for our own families. I hope you found this list to be helpful and you can enjoy some of these activities with your family this fall. One final tip – take at least one photo of your outdoor adventures to remember for years to come! Happy fall, friends!