41 Days ’Til Christmas – A Cozy Day of Fall Family Outdoor Activities

This post is part of the 100 Days ’til Christmas Challenge — one small step each day to make the holiday season less stressful and a lot more fun.

I always feel this little shift in mid-November. The holidays are suddenly racing toward us, Thanksgiving is two weeks away, and I can already feel the energy in my house changing. The lists get longer. The cleaning starts tomorrow. And the weather? Well… the nice days are numbered.

Here in Colorado, we still haven’t had our first snow — which is so unusual for us. Nashville, Tennessee even got snow before we did, which feels wild. But our weather is turning next week, and the forecast is hinting at snow. So today, I’m getting outside for a fall walk and soaking up every minute of this crisp air while I can.

That’s the heart of today: choosing simple fall family outdoor activities that give you a reset before winter settles in.

Let’s enjoy one of the last mild days together.

Simple Fall Family Outdoor Activities to Enjoy Today

You don’t have to make this complicated. Pick one or two fall family outdoor activities that give you fresh air, connection, and a break from the noise.

Rake Leaves Together

Raking leaves might sound like a chore, but it’s actually one of the easiest family outdoor fall activities you can do together.

Try making it fun:

• Turn on a fall playlist
• Make leaf piles for kids
• Work in short bursts
• Leave some leaves for wildlife

This might be the last comfortable day to clean up the yard before winter hits.

Take a Fall Walk

This is my pick today. I’m putting on a sweatshirt and heading out before the snow arrives next week.

A fall walk is simple, free, and works for every age:

• Let kids collect acorns or leaves
• Try a low-key scavenger hunt
• Snap a few photos of the last fall colors
• Notice what’s changed since early October

It’s one of the most grounding fall family outdoor activities because it slows everything down.

Backyard or Porch Refresh

If you’re not in the mood for a full walk:

• Sweep the porch
• Toss old pumpkins
• Gather outdoor toys
• Shake out doormats

This quick reset makes transitioning into holiday decorating so much easier.

Short “Fresh Air Breaks” Count Too

If today is packed, keep it tiny:

• Sip coffee or cocoa outside
• Take a 10-minute block walk
• Sit under a blanket on the porch
• Step into the backyard and breathe

Even small outdoor moments help, especially when trying to squeeze in fall family outdoor activities before the weather changes.

Make Your Outdoor Reset Feel Special

A few little touches turn simple outdoor activities into memories:

• Bring warm drinks outside
• Turn on a cozy playlist
• Let kids explore freely
• Chat about favorite fall moments or what they’re excited for next week
• End with something cozy at home

These small shifts make outdoor time feel intentional without adding work.

Keep Things Light + Imperfect

Today isn’t a productivity day. It’s a reset day.

If the yard only gets halfway raked — so what.
If your walk is short — great.
If all you do is sit outside wrapped in blankets — perfect.

The reset is the goal, not the accomplishment.

Optional Outdoor Fall Activities for Families (If You Want to Level Up)

If you’ve got time or the weather is extra nice:

• Backyard s’mores
• Quick family photo in fall sweaters
• Collect leaves for crafts
• A neighborhood cleanup walk
• A longer dog walk before sidewalks get icy

These are small, fun ways to savor the last of fall.

Celebrate the Reset Before the Season Speeds Up

Thanksgiving is two weeks away, the deep cleaning starts tomorrow, and the holiday pace is about to pick up fast. That’s why choosing intentional fall family outdoor activities today matters.

These mild days won’t last long. Getting outside — even for a short walk or a leaf-raking session — is good for your soul. It steadies your mind, slows the busy-ness, and reminds you what this season is really about.

Today’s outdoor reset is one of the simplest ways to support your mental well-being before things get hectic.

If you want, share in the comments which fall family outdoor activity you picked today. I’d love to hear how you spent your little slice of November.