Do you smell crisp fall air at your house yet? Creating lasting memories with family is always a priority. These fall bucket list ideas are perfect for the vibrant and cozy fall season.

Between the crisp autumn air, fall festivals, and colorful crafts, this list of fall activities is fun for all ages. Grab your sweaters and hot cider to make a memorable fall.

50+ Fall Bucket List Ideas For Families

Fall and winter are full of nostalgia. Even though my kids are older now, they still enjoy doing several of the simple fall activities we did every fall when they were little. It’s so easy to get stuck in the routines and the rat race. Try these bucket list ideas for fall if you need some inspiration.

1. Visit a Pumpkin Patch

We love pumpkin patches that also have corn mazes, “train” rides, or other fall activities in one place. I haven’t been to many in other states, but check out these pumpkin patches in Iowa.

2. Pick Apples

Is there anything sweeter than picking juicy sweet apples straight off the tree in gorgeous fall weather? My kids like to try one of every type of apple available. That’s a fall bucket list in and of itself! Iowa has several good apple orchards.

3. Peak Color Drive

Do you know the peak color date in your area? Peak colors are usually middle of September to first of October. This can be early or late, though, depending on weather. Take a scenic drive and check out the leaves in your area. Shoot for sunrise or sunset for an extra gorgeous view.

4. Bake a Pumpkin Recipe

Are you ready for pumpkin spice season? Try a new fall recipe using pumpkins or apples like these pumpkin scones.

5. Have Fun at a Local Park

Check out your local city, county, and state parks. Many local towns and counties put on special events or fall celebrations. There are usually fall activities for all ages. Here are some ideas in Iowa.

6. Plant Spring Bulbs

Pick out bulbs to plant this fall for beautiful colors in the spring. Try new varieties of tulips, daffodils, or grape hyacinths. The wait will be worth it!

7. Cheer for a Local Football Team

Whether it’s a high school, college, or professional game, a fall bucket list screams for football. Wear your favorite team hoodie, grab a blanket, and go support the underdog.

8. Tailgate in Your Garage

Yes, you could tailgate in lots of places but we like to do it in our garage. It feels fun and different, but I have everything I need right there. Serve your favorite foods and snacks like this Spicy Jalapeno Popper Dip.

9. Breakfast with Friends

When was the last time you had friends over for breakfast? Make it a potluck and have breakfast with all the fixings.

10. Create a Fall Scape on Your Front Porch

Use natural materials like pumpkins and mums for your fall decor. Mums will flower all season long if they are taken care of! Once you have it decorated, take a few fall family photos.

11. Lose Yourselves in a Corn Maze

Corn mazes are so much fun. We always have an argument or two about which way to go, but that’s half the thrill. 😉 No one has been left behind . . . yet.

12. Make a Pumpkin Pie . . . From Scratch

Buy a pie pumpkin and roast it. Then make a pumpkin pie. Yes, that can of Libby’s will do the trick, too, but a roasted pumpkin is a hundred times more flavorful. Roasted pumpkin with just a bit of salt and butter is exceptional so I won’t blame you if you don’t get the pie made.

13. No Phones Allowed Nature Walk

Leave your phones at home and go for a nature walk. What will you find? Beautiful leaves? Interesting rocks? Creepy spiders?

14. Host a Bonfire

If you have a place to host a bonfire safely, invite the neighbors over. Roast marshmallows and make old fashioned s’mores. If you don’t have space for a bonfire, a fire pit will do. If anyone plays the guitar, sing campfire songs while you watch the stars.

15. Heat Hot Chocolate

If you have the bonfire going, make hot chocolate over the campfire. Bonus points if it’s made from scratch, too. Add a dash of cinnamon and a couple marshmallows to really make the most of your fall bucket list.

16. Pop Old Fashioned Popcorn

Do your kids know how to make popcorn on the stove in a pot or over a campfire? This is a great time to show them! Popcorn made in a pot just tastes better somehow.

17. Hay Rack Rides

Sometimes cities offer hay rack rides for free or a neighbor might offer them. Even if it costs a bit of money, my kids always love hay rack rides. These are some of our best memories, curled up in blankets on the scratchy hay, just chatting about life.

18. Fall Drink of the Day

When my kids were younger I just made them special drinks with a fall theme. Now that they are older we do drinks of the day all season long. Be creative! Let your kids find recipes, too. There are lots of great copycat recipes out there for your favorite pumpkin spice latte or hot apple cider.

19. DIY Halloween Costumes

Try on Halloween Costumes just for the fun of it. We like to find random costume pieces at thrift stores or visit actual costume stores. Get inspiration and then go home and make your own.

20. Create a Fallscape

Gather pine cones and acorns. Fill mason jars and make a pretty fall tablescape for your home. Dried grape vines add interesting texture, too. We love using nature to decorate for fall.

21. Read a Fall-Themed Book

Read the book Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert and make your own leaf art – together as a family.

22. Find a Farmer’s Market

Go to one last farmer’s market and buy a new fall squash or other vegetable to cook for dinner. Other ways to mix things up at the market include buying fruits and vegetable of all one color (orange, for example), or buying 7 vegetables in the colors of the rainbow. Be creative.

23. Spooky Storytelling

Find some spooky stories and tell ghost stories at dark.

24. Look Up at the Stars

Go outside after dark and look at the stars. Compare them to the summer stars and see if you notice a difference!

25. Carve a Pumpkin

Carve a pumpkin. If you don’t want to use knives, here are several fun non-carving pumpkin decorating ideas too!

26. Roast Pumpkin Seeds

Save the pumpkin seeds from your pumpkin carvings and roast them in your oven.

27. Make Your Own Christmas Gifts

Decide on one homemade gift idea for Christmas and get a jump start on your gift ideas. This is a great time to encourage your kids to use items they already have for creating one-of-a-kind gifts.

28. Dance Party

Have a dance party and dance to the Monster Mash. Add a black light or glow sticks for extra flair.

29. Go Geocaching

Geocaching is like a giant scavenger hunt. Download the app and look for your first geocache using coordinates. It’s a great way for your kids to learn map skills, too.

30. Visit a New Town

Pull out a map and head to a town nearby that you’ve never been to before. It always amazes me we can live in one town and never be tourists in our own area. What’s a local attraction you’ve never visited?

31. Photo Shoot in the Leaves

Take a family photo in the leaves. There’s just something nostalgic and playful about a big pile of leaves. It’s a great time to take annual photos.

32. Design Your Own Wreath

Use sticks and dried grape vines to make your own seasonal wreath. Add in other natural items such as leaves, dried flowers or berries.

33. Watch a Movie

Do you have a favorite family movie? Add traditional movies such as Ghost Busters, Harry Potter, Hocus Pocus, or the Addams Family to your fall bucket list.

34. Make a Cornhusk Doll

Fall brings out all my nostalgia and love of folk arts. When is the last time you made a cornhusk doll? This is a lost art! Pass it on to your children and let them add their own flair.

35. Complain About Daylight Savings Time

Who invented Daylight Savings Time anyway? 😉 When the time changes it’s a good time to teach your kids why it was started in the first place. It’s also an excellent time to call your legislators and let them know what you think of it.

36. Print with Leaves

Go for a nature walk to collect leaves. Paint the leaves or dip them in paint. Then make interesting designs and patterns by pressing them on paper.

37. Make a Scarecrow

Gather old clothes and straw to stuff your own scarecrow. Give him a name and prop him in your yard or field with a broomstick.

38. Play Flashlight Tag Outside

Give everyone a flashlight and play some old-fashioned tag. Review the rules and make sure no one will run into anything dangerous.

39. Celebrate Cultural Traditions

Learn about the Day of the Dead and watch Coco to celebrate.

40. Trick or Treat

Think of some fun tricks for Halloween and then make sure to demonstrate it when you go trick or treating.

41. Haunted House Tours

Visit a haunted house and get scared out of your mind (or as much as you can handle)

42. Caramel apples

Make (or just eat) candy or caramel apples.

43. Bob for Apples

Once you’ve visited the fall orchards, make a game out of bobbing for apples. Keep it more hygienic by giving each person a smaller tub with apples and water.

44. Fall Festivals

Find a fall festival near you. Schools, churches, and community organizations often host them. Add bigger festivals to your fall bucket list with balloon festivals and renaissance fairs.

45. Gather Food for the Food Bank

Cooler weather means a more difficult time for families trying to make ends meet and for our homeless neighbors. Get a group of family and friends together to collect donations for your local food bank.

46. Give Thanks

Our family loves doing a gratitude jar each fall season. Write down people, places, things, and experiences you are grateful for. Open the jar and read them aloud on Thanksgiving Day.

47. Plant Vegetables

Were you expecting this on our list of fall bucket list ideas? There are a few quick-growing fall plants you can still harvest before winter! Plant radishes in a pot and they’ll be ready in no time.

48. Host a Harvest Share Party

Do you still have zucchini coming out of your ears? Host a Harvest Share Party and invite your friends and neighbors to share and trade garden bounties. Older kids can set up fall-themed stations such as face painting or pumpkin decorating to keep smaller kids busy.

49. Eat Outside

Cooler weather means fewer bugs and fresher air. Eat outside by candlelight. Stare at the stars and share favorite memories with your family.

50. Share Family History

I have collected several family recipes over the years. Fall is a great time to make desserts and teach my kids about family history as well. We include the recipe, stories, and family pictures in a scrapbook.

Creating a fall bucket list is a great way to stay connected as a family, learn about the changing seasons, and get outdoors off electronics. What fun fall activities would you add to our list?

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