There are so many fun ways to adventure and make memories as a family during the fall season. I wanted to share 10 fall traditions to enjoy as a family. These ideas are some of our favorite ways to celebrate the season in the Midwest. Of course, there is no right way to celebrate the season, do as little or as much as your heart desires.
- Throw a welcome fall party. Don’t be intimidated by the word party. We call anything with treats and a theme a party around here. For our welcome fall party we make a few fall themed snacks, play fall bingo and put out our fall decorations. It’s simple, but it’s so fun to kick off the new season that we (I) love so much.
- Visit the pumpkin patch. This probably feels like a gimme fall activity, but it is one of our favorites. There are some patches that have all the bells and whistles…hay ride, petting zoo, bounce pad, and those are fun to make the day of it. I also really love little patches that are less about the attractions and more about the pumpkins…lots of varieties and grown right there at the patch.
- Go on a pumpkin walk. This is a tradition that started several years ago when I had just two little guys and we had some time to kill while waiting for Daddy to get home from work. I loaded the boys in the wagon in their jammies with a thermos of warm apple cider and we walked the neighborhood counting pumpkins on the porches. It has turned into a favorite annual event to bundle up and go out for a crisp fall walk hunting for the house with the most pumpkins.
- Host an outdoor movie night. We’ve shown “It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown” outside the last couple of years, and it is so fun to snuggle up with friends, or just as a family and enjoy a movie outside.
- Go for a fall foliage drive. Try to do a little research and find the best area to see foliage around you. Go as far as you want…we’ve driven just around town looking for the best trees, but if you have a whole day to devote to finding beautiful foliage make a road trip of it!
- Have a picnic. Basically make a point to take a meal, or even a snack outside and enjoy the beautiful mild weather. We love to do book picnics, where we take fall books and snacks outside to enjoy on a picnic blanket.
- Go on a nature hike. Even if you aren’t super outdoorsy Fall can be a great time to take a stroll outside and take in the beauty of nature. It can be as nature-y as you like…neighborhood streets looking at nature? works. Hiking on a hiking trail? perfect. Nature park? That works. Just make it a point to get outside, move your body and observe your natural surroundings.
- Bake something. Pick a family recipe or a new recipe and work together in the kitchen. Obviously, this time of year baking with pumpkin is a great choice, or stretch your baking skills and try a pie.
- Read some Fall themed books. Here’s a list of our favorite fall reads. Place a few on hold at the library, and enjoy an afternoon reading, or dive into a cozy fall chapter book.
- Surprise Friends with a fall treat. I love to include little acts of kindness into our traditions for each season. Maybe you share some baked treats with neighbors, or get an extra pumpkin to gift to an elderly friend, or treat a friend to surprise coffee. Plan it ahead, or just try to spend the season looking for ways to spread joy!
I’d love to hear what traditions your family has during the fall season. Are there any traditions that are unique to your family or your location? Please share!
Happy Memory Making,
Meg
