11 Fall Entertainment Picks Kids Won’t Stop Talking About
Fall is the perfect time to create lasting memories with your kids by enjoying seasonal activities that everyone will love. From outdoor adventures like pumpkin picking and exploring corn mazes to cozy indoor activities like baking fall treats and crafting, there are plenty of ways to keep children entertained this season. These activities not only celebrate the beauty of autumn but also offer opportunities for creativity, adventure, and family bonding. Whether you’re planning a day out or a fun project at home, the fall season has something for everyone to enjoy.
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Pumpkin Patch Visits
A trip to the pumpkin patch is one of the best ways to get into the fall spirit. Children will enjoy selecting pumpkins for carving, decorating, or baking. The excitement of choosing the perfect pumpkin is a thrilling activity in itself, but many pumpkin patches also offer extra attractions such as petting zoos, hayrides, and even corn mazes. The vibrant fall colors and crisp air create an ideal environment for families to enjoy together.
During the visit, you can turn the experience into a fun, interactive activity by making a pumpkin scavenger hunt. Give each child a list of things to look for, such as the smallest pumpkin, the largest one, or the most unusual shape. Take lots of pictures to create lasting memories, and make sure to pick up a pumpkin for each child to decorate at home. This classic fall activity is bound to spark excitement in kids and leave them talking long after the visit.
Corn Maze Adventures
Getting lost in a corn maze offers an exciting challenge for kids of all ages. The towering corn stalks and winding paths create an adventure-like experience, making it the perfect fall activity for families. Many corn mazes offer extra fun elements like clues, riddles, or games to help you navigate the maze, adding an additional layer of excitement. You can make it more competitive by timing each family member to see who escapes the quickest or setting up a friendly race between siblings.
Aside from being a great physical activity, it’s also a wonderful way to get outdoors and enjoy the beauty of fall. When you’re done exploring the maze, you can reward yourselves with some hot cider or a pumpkin-flavored treat from the on-site stands. With the cooler weather and autumn scenery, a corn maze is an experience your kids will look forward to year after year.
Backyard Obstacle Course
A backyard obstacle course can turn any ordinary afternoon into a fun-filled adventure. Using everyday household items like cones, ropes, and cushions, you can create a challenging course that gets kids moving and engaged. Whether they’re racing against each other or timing themselves, kids will have a blast navigating obstacles like crawling under tables, hopping through hoops, and jumping over ropes. It’s an excellent way to encourage physical activity and have fun outdoors.
You can easily adapt the difficulty based on the age of your kids. For younger children, try simpler tasks like running from one point to another, while older kids may enjoy more complex challenges like balancing on a narrow beam or throwing a ball through a hoop. This activity is a great way to use up some energy, and it’s an excellent opportunity to bond while working together as a team to complete the course.
Baking Fall-Themed Cookies
Baking together is an activity that’s perfect for cozy fall days. Kids will love mixing, rolling, and decorating fall-themed cookies shaped like pumpkins, leaves, or spooky creatures. You can get creative by adding unique flavors like cinnamon, nutmeg, or apple, which are all signature fall tastes. After baking, kids can have fun decorating the cookies with icing, sprinkles, and edible decorations. The best part is the taste test once the cookies are ready!
This is a great way to teach kids some kitchen skills while getting into the spirit of the season. You can even make it into a mini bake-off, where kids design their cookies in the most imaginative way possible. Not only will they enjoy the process, but they’ll have a tasty treat to enjoy afterward, keeping the fall fun going long into the afternoon.
Pumpkin Painting Party
Pumpkin painting is a fun and mess-free alternative to traditional pumpkin carving. It’s a fantastic activity for younger children who may not be ready for the sharp knives used in carving. You can supply a variety of paints, brushes, and other craft supplies, allowing the kids to unleash their creativity. The best part is that there are no limits; kids can create anything from spooky faces to colorful patterns or even abstract designs.
After the pumpkins are painted, you can display them in your yard or around the house as festive decorations. This activity not only taps into their artistic skills but also adds a personal touch to your fall decor. Whether you’re hosting a party or enjoying a quiet afternoon at home, painting pumpkins can keep kids entertained and excited about the season.
Nature Crafts
Collecting fallen leaves, acorns, pinecones, and other natural materials is a great way to bring the outdoors into your home this fall. After gathering materials, kids can create fun crafts such as leaf crowns, acorn necklaces, or even nature-themed collages. This activity allows kids to explore the natural beauty around them while making their own seasonal creations.
Nature crafts also give children a chance to learn about the environment and the various changes occurring in nature during the fall months. This is a low-cost, eco-friendly activity that can spark their curiosity about the world around them. Displaying their finished projects in the house or around the yard can also help them feel proud of their work.
Scenic Fall Road Trip
A road trip to view the fall foliage is a perfect way to embrace the beauty of the season. Plan a route that takes you through scenic areas known for their vibrant autumn colors, like mountainous regions, lakesides, or rural farmland. Kids will love the excitement of the journey, spotting wildlife, and observing how the landscape changes as the colors shift. You can make the trip even more engaging by creating a playlist of fall-themed songs and bringing along some fun games for the road.
Along the way, stop at parks or scenic viewpoints to stretch your legs and take family photos. The fall colors provide a perfect backdrop for memorable pictures, and they give the kids a chance to get outside and explore. A fall road trip is not just about the destination but the fun experiences you create along the way.
Fall-Themed Movie Marathon
A cozy movie marathon featuring fall-themed movies is a great way to wind down after a day of outdoor fun. Pick a mix of classic family films and spooky favorites, such as Hocus Pocus, It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, or Monster Family. Pop some popcorn, grab your favorite fall snacks, and settle in for a movie night full of laughter, thrills, and holiday cheer.
You can make it even more special by creating a movie ticket system, where kids get to “buy” their tickets with a fun activity beforehand, like completing a mini scavenger hunt or helping to prepare the snacks. This activity is a great way to keep kids entertained while bonding over a shared love of fall movies.
DIY Haunted House
Transform your home into a haunted house for a spooky, fun-filled evening. Kids will love the thrill of exploring each room, where you can create creepy surprises like fake spiders, eerie sound effects, and dark corners. You can even involve them in the creation process by letting them help with the decorations, crafting paper ghosts, and making spooky signs.
The best part of a DIY haunted house is that you can adjust the spookiness level to suit your children’s ages. For younger kids, keep it lighthearted and fun, with silly skeletons and friendly ghosts. Older kids can handle a more intense experience with eerie soundtracks, fog machines, and hidden surprises to jump out at them.
Apple Picking Outing
Apple picking is a classic fall activity that kids will enjoy while also learning about where their food comes from. Many orchards offer family-friendly environments, with opportunities for kids to climb trees, race to pick the biggest apple, or even sample different types of apples right off the tree. Afterward, you can make apple pies, apple cider, or simple snacks to enjoy at home.
This outdoor activity is a great way to get kids moving, explore nature, and enjoy delicious seasonal fruits. Plus, it provides a chance to teach them about the apple harvest and how different apple varieties are used for different recipes. Whether you’re baking, making cider, or just snacking, apple picking is an experience kids will be talking about long after the day is over.
Outdoor Scavenger Hunt
Set up a fall-themed scavenger hunt in your yard or at a local park. Kids will love searching for items like acorns, colorful leaves, pinecones, and other fall treasures. You can create a checklist or a series of clues leading them to each item, making the hunt even more fun and interactive. This activity is perfect for kids to explore the outdoors while working together to find all the items on the list.
You can add some twists to the scavenger hunt by including challenges along the way, such as jumping into a pile of leaves or taking a photo with a certain type of tree. The hunt can be as long or short as you like, and the kids will have a blast racing against each other or working as a team to complete the adventure.
This article originally appeared on Avocadu.