12 Must-Do Fall Bucket List Activities
Writer / Aimee MacArthur
Photography Provided
It’s the time for soft flannels, cozy cardigans, pumpkin-spiced lattes, getting lost in corn mazes and watching football games. I love being bundled up in a new coat and scarf, the crunch of leaves beneath my boots and sitting outside at a bonfire on those chilly, moonlit nights. I can’t resist going on a hayride with family with a cup of warm cider in hand. You know what that means? It’s fall. It’s time to embrace the change of seasons. Here are 12 must-do family activities for fall.
- CELEBRATE WITH A FALL-INSPIRED DRINK
It’s time for warm fall drinks like apple cider, hot chocolate (add some peppermint for extra deliciousness), and pumpkin spiced lattes. Make these drinks at home or pick them up from your local coffee shop. You can also make adult drinks, like a boozy cider, mulled wine or an old fashioned.
- GO APPLE PICKING
Grab a basket and visit the local apple orchard. Pick your favorite variety of apples and stop at the apple store for caramel apples, cider, donuts and all sorts of apple goodies. When you get home, look up recipes for apple desserts, like bars, cobblers, crisps, dumplings, pies and tarts. I always like to make a big batch of homemade apple butter and apple sauce.
- VISIT A CORN MAZE
It’s amazing the number of corn mazes you can tour these days. They range from easy to very difficult. Gather a group of friends and stop at a corn maze. Make sure to dress in long-sleeved shirts and pants to protect yourself from the corn stalks in the maze. Plan to tour the maze in teams of twos and see who’s the first one to make it through the maze. Award the winning team a prize.
- PICK A PUMPKIN
It’s time to hit the pumpkin patch. Go on a hayride to the field and select a few pumpkins to decorate your home and to carve jack-o-lanterns. Stop at the store and buy mini pumpkins, gourds, and the very important slice of pumpkin pie to go. Even better, pick up a whole pie to share.
- DECORATE THE OUTSIDE OF YOUR HOUSE
Make the outside of the door and front of your home festive with a fall wreath, mums, hay bales, and other autumn décor. My neighborhood holds a “who decorated their door best” contest every year. I’ve never won, but I’ve got my fingers crossed for this year.
- MAKE A FALL SOUP OR STEW
It’s the time for butternut squash, chicken tortilla, chili and all of the mouthwatering soups and stews you can imagine. Serve them with hot, buttered rolls or cornbread. I have a friend who hosts a chili party every fall with crockpots of different kinds of chili and a bar with all the chili toppings.
- HOST A HOT DOG ROAST WITH THE NEIGHBORS
There’s nothing more fun than a neighborhood block party with friends and family. Celebrate the new season with a crackling bonfire and hot dogs with all the fixings. Don’t forget dessert: hot chocolate and s’mores.
- BUY A NEW COAT
Check your closet and look at your coats. If you need a coat, now’s the time to buy one before the cold weather arrives. Bundle up with your coat and scarf and take a walk in the crisp, cool, autumn weather. If you don’t need a new coat, you can always buy one for someone else or donate one.
- WATCH A FOOTBALL GAME
It doesn’t matter if it’s a high school, college, or professional football game, they are all fun. Wear your favorite team’s jersey and cheer them on. If you can’t attend in person, watch a game at home with all of the fun treats like subs, nachos, potato skins, wings and more.
- TAKE A DAY TRIP TO LOOK AT THE LEAVES (LEAF PEEPING)
It’s a thrill to watch the change of seasons. Stop by your favorite city or state park when the fall foliage is at its peak and take in the beauty. It’s a joy to look at the different hues of brown, orange, red and yellow leaves. Don’t forget your camera.
- POSE FOR A FAMILY PHOTO
It’s the perfect time to take a new family photo. Whether you hire a professional photographer or take the photo yourself, celebrate a new season with a new photo. Smile!
- LET’S ALL GO TO THE MOVIES (DRIVE-IN)
Some of my most cherished fall memories are going to the drive-in theater with my friends and family. Gather a group of friends and family in the comfiest car and settle in for an evening of tasty food and fun films. If there is a not a drive-in theater nearby, rent or borrow a projector and watch a movie outdoors. Make it extra special by serving buttery popcorn, caramel corn and a selection of retro candy (or the candy you ate as a child).
