Fall Activities for Kids
As the leaves drop and pumpkin spice takes over everything from lattes to cereal, there’s one thing on every parent’s mind: how to keep the kids entertained this Fall, without going straight to the same old leaf pile or another apple orchard photo op.
Don’t get me wrong, those activities are classics for a reason. But if you’re looking to spice things up a bit this season (pun absolutely intended), I’ve gathered some fun, creative, and slightly unexpected fall activities for kids that go beyond the usual pumpkin patch visit.
Fall Activities for Kids: Fun, Fresh, and Anything but Boring!
Whether you’re planning a cozy weekend, a homeschool day, or just need a new idea to pull out on a cool afternoon, this list has you covered!
1. Leaf Art Lanterns
Sure, collecting leaves is fun, but let’s turn that into something magical. Have your kids gather a variety of colorful fall leaves (fresh and flexible ones work best), then help them create leaf lanterns using mason jars, Mod Podge, and a little battery-operated tealight.
What you need:
- Fall leaves
- Mason jars
- Mod Podge or clear glue
- Paintbrush
- Battery tea lights
How to make it:
Brush glue on the outside of the jar, press the leaves gently onto the glass, and seal with another layer of glue. Let it dry and pop in a tealight. Boom, autumn glow on the go!
2. Pumpkin Punch Board Game
Move over, piñata! Create a DIY Pumpkin Punch Game using orange tissue paper, solo cups, and small surprises. Kids can punch through the tissue paper to grab their treat, think mini toys, stickers, candy, or even a little dare or challenge!
Bonus idea: Use this as a countdown to Halloween or a weekend activity reward system. Label each cup with a number or letter for some mystery fun.
3. Acorn Hunt & Squirrel Olympics
Take an acorn scavenger hunt to the next level. After collecting acorns (and checking for bugs, ew), challenge your kids to a Squirrel Olympics! Set up little “events” like:
- Who can balance the most acorns on a spoon?
- Acorn toss into a pumpkin bucket
- Roll the acorn race
It’s a great way to burn off that after-school energy, and get a few laughs.
4. DIY Fall Photo Booth (With a Twist)
Instead of waiting for the perfect Fall family photo op, create your own DIY photo booth using hay bales, flannel shirts, oversized pumpkins, and goofy props like fake mustaches or scarecrow hats.
Add a twist: Create themed photo challenges, like “silliest scarecrow,” “fall fashion runway,” or “pretend you’re a pumpkin.”
Let the kids take turns being the photographer and model. Print out the best pics and make a little fall scrapbook or collage.
5. Bake-Off: Fall Edition (Kid-Judged!)
Host a family mini bake-off, but let the kids be the judges! If your kids are old enough, pair them up to create something simple like pumpkin muffins, apple nachos, or cinnamon-sugar tortillas.
Or invite over a few friends or cousins and make it a fall-themed baking day where they can decorate their own treats, think ghost marshmallows, scarecrow cupcakes, or candy corn bark.
6. Backyard Blanket Fort & Story Time
Fall is the perfect time to bring the blankets outside without melting from heat or freezing from snow. Set up a cozy outdoor fort using blankets, cushions, and camping chairs.
Bring out a basket of fall books or spooky stories and take turns reading aloud. Add hot chocolate and boom, the perfect Fall activity.
7. Fall Science Lab
Turn your kitchen into a mad scientist’s lab with these fun, fall-themed experiments:
- Pumpkin Volcano: Carve out a mini pumpkin, add baking soda, food coloring, and vinegar for a bubbly explosion.
- Dancing Corn: Mix baking soda, vinegar, and unpopped popcorn kernels and watch them dance!
- Apple Oxidation Test: Cut an apple and let kids test which liquid (lemon juice, soda, water, etc.) keeps it from browning.
Who said science had to wait for school?
8. Potion-Making Station
This one’s especially fun leading up to Halloween. Set up a witchy potion-making station using colored water, glitter, plastic spiders, sequins, and food-safe items like jelly beads or chia seeds.
Label each item with silly names like:
- Dragon Spit (green soap)
- Ogre Drool (clear glue)
- Bat Wings (black glitter)
- Ghost Dust (baking soda)
Let the kids mix and mash like little mad scientists. Safe, creative fun!
9. Pinecone Pets
This is a craft + play combo! Collect pinecones and let kids turn them into little animals with googly eyes, felt, yarn, pom poms, or even acorns for hats.
Create a little pinecone pet village afterward and make up stories about their adventures in the fall forest.
10. Fall-Themed Indoor Treasure Hunt
Rainy fall day? No problem. Set up a fall-themed indoor treasure hunt. Hide clues around the house leading to a cozy surprise like caramel popcorn or a new fall book.
Use fall riddles or simple puzzles as clues. You can make it spooky, silly, or even educational with fun facts about the season.
11. Starry Night Blanket Stargazing
Fall nights are crisp and perfect for snuggling under a blanket to look at the stars. Teach the kids a few constellations or just lie back and make up your own.
Bonus idea: Bring glow sticks or make star-shaped snacks like cheese or cookies for the full experience.
12. Backyard Fall Camp-In
Pitch a tent in the backyard or living room, roast marshmallows over the grill or even in your air fryer, and share spooky (or silly) stories by flashlight.
Don’t forget a “camp” breakfast in the morning, apple pancakes or cinnamon rolls, anyone?
Get the Air Fryer Smores recipe here
13. Fall Mail Swap
This is such a fun way to teach kids about connection and creativity. Join or create a fall mail swap where your child can exchange cards, art, or little crafts with another child through the mail.
Decorate envelopes with fall leaves, stickers, and stamps. It’s old-fashioned fun with a twist of fall magic!
14. Pumpkin Painting With a Twist
Instead of just painting pumpkins, try these:
- Chalkboard pumpkins: Paint with chalkboard paint and let them draw new faces every day!
- Glow-in-the-dark paint
- Duct tape designs
- Silly emoji pumpkins
Who said you had to carve them to get creative?
15. Fall Mini-Theater Show
Encourage your kids to write and perform a fall-themed skit or play. It could be a spooky mystery, a harvest celebration, or a comedy about talking pumpkins. Add costumes from the dress-up box and let them create a stage with blankets or cardboard.
Record the performance and send it to grandma, she’ll love it!
16. Apple Stamp Art
This old classic gets a fresh twist when you slice apples horizontally to reveal a star pattern in the core. Dip in fall-colored paint and use on:
- Paper
- Fabric tote bags
- Fall greeting cards
17. Edible Fall Art Boards
Set up a “build your own board” with fall-themed snacks:
- Mini pumpkin muffins
- Pretzel sticks
- Apple slices
- Candy corn
- Popcorn
- Nut-free trail mix
Let kids create edible faces, fall trees, or even landscapes using the snacks, then gobble them up!
18. Fall Puzzle Hunt
Print out or create a large fall-themed picture, cut it into puzzle pieces, and hide the pieces around the yard or house. Kids have to find all the pieces and then work together to build the puzzle.
Fun twist: Make it a photo of your family in fall outfits or a favorite fall quote!
Fall is truly one of the best seasons to get creative, cozy, and connect with your kids. With a little imagination, you can turn even the chilliest afternoon into an unforgettable adventure.
So go ahead, ditch the same old list this year. Whether it’s brewing sparkly potions, staging backyard Olympics or creating a homemade lantern, these ideas are sure to be a hit this year.
