106 Frugal Fall Family Activities Everyone Will Love

Happy fall y’all! Autumn is my absolute favorite season! It’s getting cooler, the leaves are changing, and the best holidays of the year are approaching. 

Fall is the perfect time for outdoor family activities and a great time for some cozy, guilt-free indoor time too. So I thought since today was the official first day of fall, I would put together a list of frugal fall family activities that the whole family will love!

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Outdoor Fall Family Activities

Here are some outdoor fall fun your family will enjoy.

1. Pumpkin Patches

Fall is a great time to visit a pumpkin patch and choose the perfect pumpkin for carving. 

2. Carve jack o’ lanterns

Carve the pumpkins into jack o’ lanterns. You can design your own or find spooky stencils to carve into your pumpkins.

3. Apple orchards

Visit an apple orchard and take the family apple picking for all the delicious fall baking you can do.

4. Visit a farm

Some farms have fun fall events with pony rides, food vendors, and an entire day of fill with fun things to do. Find a farm near you to make some fun family memories.

5. Trick or Treating

Put your costumes on display and take the kids trick or treating or pass out candy to trick or treaters.

6. Backyard Bonfire

Sit out by the fire pit and socialize with family and friends on a cool crisp fall night.

7. Roast Marshmallows

While you have the fire going, pull out some roasting sticks and roast hot dogs, marshmallows, or make s’mores.

8. Take a walk

Go for a walk and look at the beautiful scenery with all the fall foliage and decorations.

9. Jump in a pile of leaves

Rake all those beautiful falling leaves into a pile and then jump into them. So much fun!

10. BOO! someone

Fill a container with treats with a sign and drop it off at a neighbor’s house. It’s so much fun to drop it off and creep on your neighbors to see how they react.

11. Football game

I was a band nerd in high school and spent almost every Friday night doing the half-time show. So, I love the idea of taking the family to a local high school football game. Bring some blankets and enjoy the game with some concession stand food.

12. Haunted House or trail

Visit a haunted house or trail to get in the spooky Halloween mood.

13. Hayride

A hayride is a must for fall. Make sure to go on one when you visit the pumpkin patch or farm!

14. Fall festival, carnival, or fair

Fall is the perfect time to find local fall festivals, carnivals, and fairs to attend. Ride some carnival rides, eat from food trucks, and check out local vendors for a day of fun.

15. Tell ghost stories

Make up ghost stories and tell them to each other. Make sure to do the flashlight under the chin for added spookiness the kids will love.

16. Corn Maze

Find a corn maze to go through. Our local farm does a different themed corn maze every year. We can never make it to the end!

17. Fall scavenger hunt

Make up a scavenger hunt (or find one on Pinterest) and then go on the hunt with the family.

18. Farmer’s market

Visit a farmer’s market to pick up some seasonal produce. It’s fun to go to but also saves you money on groceries!

Related: How To Save Money On Groceries Without Using Coupons

19. Fall family cookout

Enjoy the cooler weather with a cookout. 

20. Play a game of football

Get some friends and family together for a game of touch football.

21. Bike ride

Take a bike ride as a family, or teach the kids to ride with the training wheels off.

22. Picnic

Go on a picnic at a local park or even in your backyard. 

23. Sunday Drive

Drive around and look at all the beautiful changing leaves.

24. Bob for apples

Fill a bucket full of water and apples, and have some hands free fun bobbing for apples.

25. Backyard camping

Set up a tent and let the kids stay up late to go “camping” in the backyard. 

26. Visit an Arboretum

Arboretums are especially beautiful in the fall with all the fall foliage. Find one near you to walk through.

27. Sunflower fields

Sunflowers are my favorite. They bloom in late summer through early fall. Find a flower farm to visit and see their beauty in person.

28. Petting zoo

Go to a petting zoo and feed the animals. 

29. Roll down hills

Find a big hill and roll down it! It’s so much fun to watch the kids tumble down the hill.

30. Make a scarecrow

Grab old clothes, newspaper, and a pumpkin to make a scarecrow to put in your front yard or porch.

31. Backyard games

Go outside and play some of your favorite backyard and lawn games. 

32. Nature hunt with Google Image

Let the kids outside and find things to Google Image. My kids love to find new plants, bugs, and flowers to look up and learn about.

33. Pine cone art

Pick up some pine cones while you’re on a nature walk, and turn them into fun pine cone art. Here are some fun things to make with pine cones.

• Halloween Pine Cone Characters
• Pine Cone Bird Feeders
• Pine Cone Turkeys

34. Watch a parade 

Find a local Thanksgiving or Christmas parade to attend. The Macy’s Day parade is a must on Thanksgiving morning!

35. Fall science projects

Show your kids some cool fall science projects. Here are some super fun science activities for fall.

• Ghost Rockets
• Erupting Apple Volcanoes
• Grow Pumpkin Shaped Crystals
• Pumpkin Elephant Toothpaste Experiment

36. Star gaze

Find a cozy spot in the backyard, and look at the stars. See if you can find all the constellations.

37. Go fishing

Grab your fishing poles and find a lake to go fishing at.

38. Geocaching

Take the family on a treasure hunt with the geocaching app.

39. Landscaping

Fall is a great time to mulch, plant bulbs, and trim trees and bushes. So, put the kids to work and update your landscaping.

40. Family pictures

Get a friend or extended family member with some photography skills to take fall or Christmas photos of the family.

41. Pokemon Go

Download the Pokemon Go app and go Pokemon hunting with the family.

Indoor Fall Family Activities

The entire family will love these indoor activities for days that you need to stay inside.

42. Roast pumpkin seeds

Save the pumpkin seeds from carving, and roast them. They are a tasty treat.

43. Make homemade Halloween Costumes

Decide what you want to dress as for Halloween and make your costumes. Homemade costumes take a little time but are unique and fun to design.

44. Halloween movie marathon

Cuddle up on the couch and have a Halloween movie marathon! Some favorites in our house are:

• Hocus Pocus (don’t forget to watch Hocus Pocus 2 coming out at the end of September!)
• Halloweentown
• The Nightmare before Christmas
• Coraline
• The Corpse Bride

45. Make caramel apples

Make caramel apples and decorate them with sprinkles, candy, and icing.

46. Pumpkin pie

Pumpkin pie is essential for fall! So, grab one from the store or make your own. Don’t forget the whipped cream!

47. Eat Halloween candy

Eat that Halloween candy. We have a Mommy and Daddy Tax here in our house!

48. Make popcorn with all the fixings

Make stove-top popcorn, and top it with butter, caramel, or any other toppings you like!

49. Thanksgiving party

We don’t do a traditional Thanksgiving since we live away from family. So, we throw a Thanksgiving party with different food every year. We put up our Christmas decorations and tree and have a day full of fun.  

50. Apple cider

Sip some warm apple cider, and make sure to get some apple cider donuts too!

51. Paint pumpkins

Get some mini pumpkins and let the kids paint and decorate them.

52. Library

Visit the library and see what fall activities they’re having. While you’re there, check out some books about autumn and the upcoming holidays.

53. Bowling

Find out if your bowling alley offers times where you can bowl at a discounted rate. 

54. Museums

Check out some of the free local museums in your area.

55. Make your own pizza night

Use premade pizza dough (or make your own) to make personal-size pizzas; everyone can add their toppings. 

56. Donate to a food bank

Donate food to a local food bank or church.

57. Volunteer at a food shelter

Volunteer at a food shelter and help others in need.

58. Make cards for nursing home residents

There are many people without families in nursing homes. Make Thanksgiving and Christmas cards for the residents. You could also make small gift bags to give to them.

59. Blessing Bags

Make blessing bags filled with blankets, socks, gloves, water, non-perishable snacks, toothbrush, toothpaste, and more to give out to the homeless when the opportunity presents itself.

60. Color fall pictures

Get a fun fall coloring book or find some free fall printables on Pinterest, and have a coloring session.

61. Make cookies

There are all sorts of fun cookies you can make this fall. Pick up some already made ones and decorate them in a fall theme, try new recipes from Pinterest, or make your favorites.

62. Hot cocoa

Cozy up on the couch and drink some hot cocoa. Don’t forget the marshmallows!

63. Build a fort

Grab some blankets and pillows and build an epic fort to hang out in.

64. Fall decluttering

Put the family to work and tackle some much-needed decluttering after a busy summer. Go through the house and get rid of anything you don’t use. Make sure to go through clothes as you get out your fall/winter wardrobe and get rid of anything you don’t want or doesn’t fit. You can donate it or have a yard sale to make some extra cash.

65. Popsicle stick art

Take a trip to the Dollar Tree and pick up some popsicle sticks and craft supplies. Then, let the kids make popsicle stick crafts. Here are some fun things to make:

• Popsicle Stick Scarecrow
• Pumpkin Patch Stand
• Popsicle Stick Monsters
• Popsicle Stick Haunted House

66. Make a Christmas list

Christmas is just around the corner! This is the perfect time to write and mail those letters to Santa! 

67. Face painting

Watch a Youtube tutorial and practice face painting. Your kids will love this!

68. Grateful list

Each night at dinner, everyone goes around the table and says one thing they are thankful for. Decorate a poster board, and write it down to keep a running list through the season.

69. Nature crafts

Find some fun fall crafts to do. Here are some that my kids enjoy.

• Leaf rubbing
• Nature collage
• Painting Acorns
• Rock Painting

70. Make an apple pie

Apple is another fall favorite! Pick an apple pie up at the store or make a homemade one with the kids. Don’t forget the vanilla ice cream!

71. Rice Krispy treats

Make Rice Krispy treats in the shape of pumpkins or leaves. Decorate them with icing and sprinkles for extra fun!

72. Decorate your front porch

Decorate the front porch with fun Halloween or fall theme decorations. 

73. Game night

Pull out your favorite board games and have a family game night. We love to play:

• Trouble
• Uno
• Monopoly
• Candy Land
• Twister

74. Visit a Halloween store

Get ideas for Halloween costumes and decorations to make by visiting a Halloween store.

75. Blessings bucket list

Make a list of good deeds you want to do during the Thanksgiving season. Make a cute printable on Canva (it’s free) and cross off the good deed when you do it.

76. Homemade Christmas gifts

Save money and have a homemade Christmas with your extended family. My family did this one year, and it was so much fun! Some ideas are:

• Homemade vanilla extract
• Homemade seasonings
• Jams & Jellies
• Wood Pallet Signs
• Chocolate-covered pretzels (or anything else!)

77. Video game marathon

Pick some of your favorite video games and have an all-day (or weekend) video game marathon!

78. Christmas movie marathon

Get in the Christmas spirit and have a Christmas movie marathon! Some of our Christmas favorites are:

• The Santa Clause series (don’t forget to watch the show coming out on Disney+)
• Christmas Chronicles 1 & 2
• How the Grinch Stole Christmas
• Home Alone 1 & 2

79. Homemade ice cream

Pick a flavor and make ice cream. You can make ice cream in a bag or get an ice cream maker. Both are a ton of fun!

80. Marshmallow fight

Grab a couple of bags of giant marshmallows and have a marshmallow fight. 

81. Make hot chocolate bombs

Find a recipe on Pinterest for hot chocolate bombs. They would be a great homemade Christmas gift!

82. Make fudge

Perfect your fudge-making skills. Also, another great idea for a Christmas gift!

83. Cuddle by the fireplace

Cuddle up by the fire and enjoy some good conversation.

84. Read a book

Cozy up on the couch and read a book series. We have plans to read the Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings series (or at least I do).

Adult Fall Family Activities

Here are some fun activities for when the kids are in bed, you want a date night, or you’re having friends over.

85. Wine tasting at home

Grab a couple of bottles of different wine and have a wine tasting at home.

86. Celebrate Octoberfest

Visit a store that allows you to create your own 6-pack and try some different craft beers. Then, make your own beer flights and have a beer tasting session at home.

87. Make fall-inspired dinner together

Choose a nice fall-inspired dinner, prep and cook it together after the kids go to sleep. 

88. Make a fall-inspired cocktail

Save money and make fall cocktails at home. Here is a couple to try!

• Fall Harvest Punch
• Apple Butter Old-Fashioned
• Apple Cider Sangria

89. Coffee date

Get a pumpkin spice latte with some friends and enjoy some “me time.”

90. Renaissance fair

Find a renaissance fair to attend. Makes sure to dress up for the theme.

91. Day Trip

Explore your home state and take a day trip while the kids are in school!

92. Mulled wine

Make mulled wine and invite friends over to enjoy with a homemade charcuterie board.

93. Ghost tour

Get spooky and go on a ghost tour.

94. Go ugly sweater shopping

Go to a thrift shop and find an ugly sweater for each other. Bonus points if you find a matching ensemble!

95. Drive in movie

See a movie at the Drive-in if you have one locally. If not, you can invest in a screen and projector and have a movie night in the backyard.

96. Learn a new skill

Take the opportunity to learn a new skill. Find tutorials on Youtube and teach yourself how to sew, can, or make home repairs.

97. Axe throwing

Axe throwing is a fun date night; you can get all your frustrations out without committing a felony! 

98. Walk on the beach

The ocean is just good for the soul. If you live near the beach, consider a day trip. It’s a perfect time to walk the beach, look for shells, and enjoy!

99. DIY project

Find a project you can tackle by yourself or as a couple. Painting a room, refurbishing a piece of furniture, or some weekend home repairs can be fun.

100. DIY wine and painting

Wine and painting classes are so fun but expensive! Pick up some wine and have your own painting date night with some Bob Ross on Youtube.

101. Treasure hunting

Go to a yard sale, flea market, antique store, or thrift shop to find some fun treasures for your home or to flip!

102. Find a new place to eat

We love to find little hole-in-the-wall places to try. It’s usually the best place to eat. So, do some research and find somewhere (that’s not a chain) to have a dinner date.

103. Fondue night

Find a cheese and/or chocolate fondue recipe and give it a try with all the yummy things to dip in it!

104. Date night at Costco

Drop the kids off at Grandma’s (if you’re lucky to have them near), and take a trip to Costco. Make sure to grab a cheap dinner at the food court!

105. Binge-watch a tv show

Cuddle up in bed and binge-watch a tv show after the kids go to sleep. You’ll actually be able to follow a tv show uninterrupted!

106. Relax

Take a day just to do nothing! If you can drop the kids off somewhere, do it! Then just relax!

Conclusion

Fall is such a beautiful time of year. Whether you want to be indoors or outdoors this fall season, make sure to pick some of your favorite fall activities to enjoy with the family.

What kind of fun things do you do during the fall? Leave a comment below!