September Bucket List Ideas
September is that magical time when Summer has said goodbye, and Fall is creeping in with crunchy leaves, cozy sweaters, and pumpkin-spiced everything. If you’re like me, you’re probably juggling school routines, work, and weekend plans, so why not make it fun with a September Bucket List?
This list is full of simple, fun, and low-cost ideas the whole family can enjoy. Whether you’re snuggling up at home or heading outside to enjoy the fresh Fall air, these activities are perfect for making memories together.
Family Friendly September Bucket List Ideas
1. Go Apple Picking
Head to a local orchard and fill your baskets with crisp, juicy apples. It’s great exercise and a sweet way to spend time together. Bonus points if you bake an apple pie when you get home!
2. Make a Fall Craft
Use leaves, pinecones, sticks, or even old socks to create fun fall crafts. Try making leaf animals or a pinecone owl. Let the kids get messy, it’s part of the fun!
3. Visit a Farmers’ Market
September is harvest season! Walk around your local market, try samples, and let the kids pick out a new fruit or veggie to taste.
4. Have a Backyard Campout
Set up a tent in the backyard, roast marshmallows, and tell stories under the stars. It’s like camping, but with indoor bathrooms nearby. Win-win!
5. Try a New Soup Recipe
Cooler weather calls for cozy food. Let each family member pick a soup to try one week in September. From creamy pumpkin to classic chicken noodle, yum!
6. Create a Fall Reading Nook
Pile up some pillows, grab a warm blanket, and set up a corner in your house for reading. Add Fall-themed books for extra fun!
7. Jump in a Pile of Leaves
Old school fun at its finest. Rake up a big pile, and let everyone take turns jumping in. Warning: giggles and leaf-covered hair ahead.
8. Go on a Nature Scavenger Hunt
Print a simple list of fall things to find, like acorns, red leaves, or a squirrel. Head to the park and see how many you can spot.
9. Bake Pumpkin Muffins or Bread
Nothing smells better than pumpkin muffins baking in the oven. Have the kids help stir and sprinkle cinnamon on top!
10. Decorate the Front Porch for Fall
Grab a few pumpkins, mums, or hay bales (even fake ones work!). Let the kids paint pumpkins or make a “Happy Fall” sign.
11. Make a DIY Bird Feeder
Smear peanut butter on a toilet paper roll, roll it in birdseed, and hang it outside. Then watch the birds come say hi.
12. Have a Family Movie Night
Pick a cozy fall-themed movie (like “Hocus Pocus” or “Fantastic Mr. Fox”), pop popcorn, and cuddle up on the couch.
13. Try a New Board Game
Choose a game none of you have played before. Let each family member take turns picking one for the weekend.
14. Visit a Fall Festival or Fair
Look for a local Fall festival or school fair, there might be rides, games, caramel apples, and maybe even a corn maze!
15. Go on a Sunset Walk
The evenings are cooler now, and the skies are often stunning in September. Take a walk and enjoy the changing colors together.
16. Make a Gratitude Tree
Cut out leaf shapes from paper. Every day, write something you’re thankful for and tape it to a wall or tree branch.
17. Pick a Charity to Support
September is a great time to teach kids about kindness. Pick a cause as a family, maybe donating food, toys, or clothes, and get involved.
18. Roast Marshmallows or Make S’mores
Whether over a fire pit or in the oven, gooey s’mores are always a hit. Let the kids build their own “perfect s’more.”
19. Plan a Cozy Pajama Day
Stay in your jammies all day, watch movies, eat pancakes, and do puzzles or crafts. No rushing, just relaxing.
20. Go on a Bike Ride
Take advantage of the mild weather and explore your neighborhood or a local trail.
21. Paint or Carve Pumpkins
It might be early in the season, but stores already have pumpkins! If carving feels too soon, painting is a fun and less-messy option.
22. Host a Chili Cook-Off
Have each family member help with a different chili recipe, or invite friends over and do a taste test. Don’t forget the cornbread!
23. Make a Fall-Themed Sensory Bin
Great for little ones, fill a bin with rice, small pumpkins, scoops, leaves, and tiny toys. Add cinnamon sticks for a lovely scent!
24. Have a Family Game Tournament
Pick a few favorite games, like Uno, Go Fish, or Jenga, and compete for small prizes (like extra dessert or picking the next movie).
25. Write Fall-Themed Poems or Stories
Encourage the kids to write (or dictate) a silly or sweet Fall story. Bonus: create a little book with their stories and drawings.
26. Go Star Gazing
Bring out blankets, lie down in the yard, and look up at the stars. Use a star app or just enjoy the peace and quiet.
27. Make a September Memory Jar
Each weekend, write down one fun thing you did as a family. Keep the notes in a jar to read at the end of the month.
28. Have a Leaf-Rubbing Art Session
Place paper over leaves and rub with crayons to reveal the textures and shapes. Try using leaves of different sizes and colors.
29. Watch Football (or Play Your Own Game!)
Whether you’re cheering on your favorite team or tossing a ball around in the backyard, football is a fall tradition for many families.
30. Visit a Local Library or Bookstore
Many have story time or Fall events. Let the kids pick out a book that feels “autumn-ish” and read it together.
31. Create a Fall Photo Challenge
Make a list of things to photograph: red leaf, cozy socks, fall food, pumpkin, etc. Let your kids be the photographers!
32. Host a Backyard Picnic
Lay out a blanket, pack some sandwiches, and eat lunch outside.
33. Make Homemade Apple Cider
Simmer apple juice with cinnamon sticks, cloves, and orange slices. The house will smell amazing, and it tastes even better!
34. Build a Scarecrow
Use old clothes, hay (or newspaper), and a pillowcase head. Stick it in the yard or porch for a friendly fall visitor.
35. End the Month with a Fall Family Celebration
Mark the end of your September bucket list with a little family party. Have favorite snacks, share what you loved most, and maybe even wear funny fall hats!
Why Make a September Bucket List?
Because life moves fast, and the back-to-school season can be a blur. A bucket list helps your family pause, laugh, and soak up the special moments. Whether you tick off all 35 ideas or just a few, the goal is to spend quality time together and enjoy the shift into a new season.
You don’t need to travel far or spend lots of money to make memories. A pile of leaves, a bowl of soup, or a cozy movie night can be just the thing to bring everyone a little closer.
Want to Make It Even More Fun?
Print it out and hang it on the fridge!
Check off each item as you go, or let the kids put a sticker next to the ones you complete.
Turn it into a calendar.
Choose one or two ideas to do each week of September, and add them to your family planner.
Take photos and make a mini scrapbook (digital or paper) of your September adventures!
So welcome September with open arms, warm drinks, and plenty of giggles. Your family deserves a little magic this season!
