We all know life isn’t getting cheaper. Regardless, I still want to engage in memorable activities with my family. Plus, fall is the season of changing leaves and cooling temperatures, and I want to engage with that, too!
Below I have compiled a list of completely free, fall family activities so you and your family can squeeze a bit of extra joy out of the season. If you have a few extra dollars to spend on your fall activities, check out my list of inexpensive fall family activities. In the meantime, everything on this list should be completely free!
Just a heads up – this post contains some affiliate links.
Leaf Pile Jumping
This may be one of the simplest, yet most joyful fall activities you can do. Simply rake up fallen leaves in your yard or a nearby park and let your kids jump into them. Join in on the jumping if you can! These are the memories that will really last.
Bonfire
If you have a backyard and environmental conditions allow, consider having a bonfire. If you don’t have your own, some parks provide fire pits for public use. You can make more of an event of it by getting everyone involved in collecting firewood beforehand. I know the kids may gripe, but in the end they will feel accomplished and have a sense of ownership over the successful fire. Bonus points if you have some marshmallows or hot dogs on hand to roast! Even if you don’t though, there is something simple and almost primal about just sitting around and enjoying a fire.
Picnic
Pack a picnic with homemade sandwiches, fruits, or even just snacks, then head to a park to enjoy the fall weather. I consider this one to be free even though you need food because you were always going to need food. Grab whatever you were going to have for lunch anyway, bring along that frisbee or ball that you know is collecting dust in your garage, and make some memories! Or, if the weather is not cooperating, you could always set up a picnic in your living room and compliment that with a spooky movie!
DIY Crafts & Decorations
Collect leaves, acorns, and pinecones to create autumn-themed crafts at home. Or you could dust off those old craft supplies to find your old crochet needles and some yarn. Pinterest is a great resource for craft ideas like leaf rubbings, wreaths, garlands, or pressed leaf art. If you already have some paint, you could add that into the mix, but you could also challenge the family to use only natural/found ingredients. When you’re done, you can use your creations as free seasonal decor!
Scavenger Hunt
Create a fall-themed scavenger hunt in your backyard or at a local park. You can hide things and create clues or simply make a checklist of items to find. Include items like specific colored leaves, acorns, and pinecones. You can offer a prize at the end for whoever completes it first, even if the prize is just picking the movie you all watch that night.
Local Festivals and Events
Keep an eye out for local fall festivals, art fairs, and community events. Many of these are free to attend. Even if you can only window shop at booths, many times there will be live music and even performances you can enjoy. Just eat before you go so you aren’t tempted by the food vendors!
Fall Photo Shoot
Capture the beauty of the season by having a family photo shoot in a park or other scenic location. Dress up in costumes or your Sunday best, and set your cell phone camera to portrait mode. You would be amazed at the quality of photos you can capture that way, and your family will be more comfortable with each other than a photographer, leading to the best candids! This is made easier if you already have a selfie stick or mini tripod, but that’s not necessary! You can also give the littles a chance to explore taking photos of each other or other things they find beautiful.
That’s it for now – but I would love to know what other completely free, fall family activities you may enjoy, so feel free to leave more ideas in the comments!
One response to “7 Free Fall Family Activities You Can Do Now!”
[…] If even these are too rich for your blood, though, check out my other post with completely free fall activities for your family to do together! […]