As the fall season sets in and the leaves begin to change, it’s the perfect time to get the kids outside to burn off some energy and soak up the beauty of autumn. There are so many fun, engaging, and educational outdoor fall activities for kids that can be enjoyed outdoors during this vibrant season. Here are 20 ideas to keep your little ones active and happy this fall!
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1. Child’s Walk in Nature
Go outside in your yard or at a park and let your child lead the way. Allow them to balance on a log, climb a rock, or simply explore their surroundings. They may surprise you with their curiosity and the little details they notice. My son recently stopped at every plant, gave each a smell, plucked a leaf, and handed it to me to add to his collection. It was a wonderful way to slow down and be in the moment together.
2. Leaf Collecting
Collecting and preserving leaves can be a memorable fall activity. As a child, my mom and I would walk through the woods, gather beautiful leaves, and press them between wax paper with an iron. We made little booklets out of them, and I cherish those memories. Now, I can’t wait to make the same memories with my son.
To do this activity, simply place a leaf between two pieces of wax paper and iron over them to adhere the pieces together. Then you can use a three-hole punch to add to a binder and note the child’s name and year at the bottom with a Sharpie for a memory book you can look back on.
3. Jump in a Pile of Leaves
This activity is a twofer – your yard gets raked and you get to have some fun! Rake the leaves into a big pile and let the kids jump in. They will spend hours jumping, laughing, and playing. Don’t forget to join in and let your inner child have some fun too!
4. Fall Scavenger Hunt
Create a list of items commonly found in your area during fall, such as acorns, pinecones, and specific leaves. Spend time hunting for these fall treasures. It’s a great way to keep kids active and exercise their minds as they search and think about where each item might be found. You can download my free fall scavenger hunt list below—no email required!
5. Go for a Hike
Hiking is a fantastic way to enjoy the fall colors and crisp air. We recently discovered a beautiful trail just minutes from our house that we didn’t even know existed! Using an app like AllTrails can help you find trails that match your child’s abilities.
6. Visit a New Park
Take advantage of the playgrounds in your area. You can pack a lunch and spend the afternoon climbing, sliding, and swinging. We found a fantastic park recently that we can’t wait to revisit.
7. Pumpkin Patch Visit
A trip to a pumpkin patch is a must for any autumn bucket list. Many pumpkin patches offer fall activities such as pumpkin picking, hayrides, corn mazes, face painting, and petting zoos. It’s a full day of fun packed into one outing.
8. Start a Fall Garden
Growing a fall garden can be a rewarding activity. Choose veggies like lettuce, kale, carrots, and radishes, or herbs like parsley, cilantro, and thyme. Alternatively, you can opt for autumn flowers like mums and marigolds. My son, even at 18 months old, loves getting his hands in the dirt and picking fresh herbs.
9. Fishing
Fishing is a relaxing and enjoyable fall activity. The cooler weather often means more active fish. Plus, it’s a great way to teach patience and the basics of fishing to your kids.
10. Fly a Kite
Fall’s windy days are perfect for kite flying. For added fun, make your own kites together before heading out to fly them.
11. Bird Watching
Grab a pair of binoculars, sit on your porch or a park bench, and see what birds you can spot. Try to match their bird calls for a good belly laugh.
12. Apple Picking
Find a local apple orchard or a friend with apple trees and pick a bushel of apples. You can turn them into a yummy pie, caramel apples, or even do a fun craft like apple stamping.
To do the apple stamping activity, cut an apple in half, dip it in paint, and stamp it onto pieces of paper.
13. Camping
Whether you go to a campground or pitch a tent in your backyard, camping is a fantastic family activity. Roast hot dogs and marshmallows, sing campfire songs, and enjoy the great outdoors.
14. Stargazing
Lay out a blanket and look up at the stars. See what pictures you can make with the stars or try to find constellations. A telescope can provide an even closer look at the night sky.
15. Fall Picnic
Pack a blanket, sandwiches, and other finger foods, and have lunch outside in your yard or at a park. Enjoy the crisp air and the beautiful fall scenery.
16. Pumpkin Carving
Pumpkin carving is a must-do fall activity. Digging out the seeds and goo is a fun sensory experience. Then, carve creative faces or use stencils for intricate designs. For very young kids, you can have them draw the face and carve it for them or opt to paint the pumpkins instead.
17. Pine Cone Painting
Go foraging for pine cones and see what interesting crafts you can make. Paint them, add googly eyes and faces, or cover them in peanut butter and seeds to create bird or squirrel feeders.
18. Fall Sensory Bins
Explore textures with fall-themed sensory bins. Use materials like water, oobleck, bubbles, or baking soda fizz, and add pinecones, leaves, sticks, tree bark, acorns, and other natural items.
19. Bobbing for Apples
Fill buckets or basins with water and see who can grab the most apples with their teeth before time runs out. This classic game is always a hit with kids and adds some friendly competition to your day.
20. Tag
Get a group of neighborhood kids together for a friendly game of tag. It’s a great way to burn off energy and enjoy the fall weather.
Summary
The fall season is a wonderful time to get outside and enjoy the crisp air and beautiful scenery with your kids. These outside activities for kids will keep them active, engaged, and help create lasting memories. For more tips and ideas, follow me on Pinterest and Instagram, and sign up for the newsletter for exclusive content!
This is a wonderful list of fall activities. The only thing that came to mind was creating leaf art-related projects. That could be because that was my favorite thing to do as a kid. Pinecone art is a close second, but you did list that one.
I always loved going for walks to collect pretty leaves as a kid! 🙂
So many wonderful ideas! Thank you for sharing these!
Why do I always forget that flying a kite is still a thing?? I’m getting a tile cleaning done next week and have been looking for ideas on how to entertain my littles, so I’m glad I found your post when I did!