Fall is here! Temperatures are cooling, leaves are falling, and it’s the perfect time for kid-inspired fun. Of all the seasons, fall is chock-full of opportunities to get out and have fun as a family. As you prepare to get outside and enjoy the crisp air, remember that fun doesn’t have to cost money.
This season can be exceptionally kind to your family’s budget. Numerous things to do are completely free, and your kids will remember them for years to come. I’ve even made it easy for you and compiled a list of fall activities your family can enjoy for free. Happy Fall!
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1. Create a Scavenger Hunt
Falling leaves offer the perfect opportunity for little hands to interact with nature. To make leaf gathering even more fun, make it a scavenger hunt. Send your kids out to find an assortment of colored leaves, acorns, pinecones, and even spiderwebs. Sweeten it up with a prize at the end.
2. Bake Together
Nothing hits quite like a fall treat. Cooler temperatures provide the perfect opportunity to spend time in the kitchen, and your kids will be excited to help when a fun snack or treat is involved. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Start with something easy, like pretzel pumpkins.
3. Go on a Nature Walk
Autumn creates an unbeatable sensory experience for your kids, making a fall nature walk an exciting and entertaining adventure. Your kids will love to collect leaves, watch them fall from the trees, and hear them crunch beneath their shoes. As an added side benefit, you all get to enjoy the fresh air and burn off some energy.
4. Make a Pumpkin Volcano
Wow your children by turning a pumpkin into a volcano! With a few simple ingredients (that you probably have around your house), your pumpkin can become a volcano that will prove to your kids that science is really cool.
5. Fly a Kite
Take advantage of a windy day, and get your kite up in the air. Kites are a surefire way to delight the kids and learn about lift and aerodynamics. You can do this activity right in your own yard, making it a quick and easy way to entertain your family.
6. Enjoy Sunday Football
The changing season also signals the re-emergence of fall football. Invite family and friends to cheer on your favorite team and eat tasty snacks. It is an easy way to bring some excitement to your weekends that you will look forward to all week.
7. Decorate Pumpkins
This quintessential autumn activity will give your porch a punch of fall and make a fun afternoon for the whole family. Whether you decide to carve or paint your pumpkins, these easy pumpkin carving stencils free printables can ensure everyone’s designs come out flawlessly.
8. Make DIY Halloween Costumes
Get your creative fix by planning and DIYing your family’s Halloween costumes. You might be surprised to find that you can create entire costumes with things you already have around your house or in your closets.
9. Go Trick-or-Treating
The pinnacle of the season is on October 31st when kids all across the country get to participate in the ultimate free event. Knock on doors, collect candy, and enjoy seeing everyone’s creative costumes.
10. Host a Game Night
When the weather turns, there will inevitably be nights when the rain will force you inside. Turn this into an opportunity to dust off your board games and find some friendly competition.
11. Explore the Library
Your local library is the best place to turn for free family fun. Libraries offer a variety of services. You can often check out passes to enjoy local attractions (like children’s museums or zoos), attend an event, participate in a class, or check out a stack of books.
12. Make a Turkey Craft
My Thanksgiving printable crafts can make any day fun. For example, this turkey printable is an easy activity your kids will love. Simply print it out, and your kids can handle the rest. They will be proud of the turkey they created, and it will open doors for you to teach them about the holiday.
13. Hold an Art Night
Make a simple weeknight fun by turning it into an art night. Art nights don’t have to be complicated. Pull out your art supplies, download a variety of coloring pages, and see what your kids create.
14. Set Up Yard Games
Cornhole, flag football, bocce ball, or badminton are quick and easy to set up in your yard. Yard games give you the perfect excuse to enjoy the cooler temperatures and will create fun memories for the entire family.
15. Go Leaf-Peeping
All across the country, leaves are changing. Depending on where you call home, you may have a front-row seat to incredible fall foliage or need to plan a road trip to take in the beautiful colors of fall. Don’t let the season pass you by without taking in the unique beauty that only happens once a year.
16. Be Thankful
‘Tis the season to practice gratitude. The key to finding happiness is identifying what we are thankful for, and Thanksgiving presents the perfect opportunity to teach this practice to our children. Print out these inspiring Thanksgiving quotes to hang in your home, or write down and display the things you are thankful for.
17. Ask Seasonal Trivia
Test your knowledge about all things Halloween by downloading this free Halloween Trivia printable. Whether you are hosting a crowd or looking to enhance a family fun night, everyone will be delighted to test their knowledge about their favorite fall holiday.
Whatever you decide to do this year, your kids will remember the time they spent with you, the things you laughed about, and how hard you worked to make it all fun. Those memories don’t have to cost a dime.
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Infographic
Fall is a great season for family fun outdoors. Enjoy the crisp air without spending money—many free activities will create lasting memories for your kids. Check out this infographic for a list of free fall activities to enjoy together.
