Part of the #100DaysTilChristmasChallenge – one small step every day to make the holidays more joyful and less stressful.
The days are getting shorter, the mornings are crisper, and the leaves are putting on their best show of the year. Before the weather turns too cold (or the last of the leaves flutter away), it’s the perfect time to plan fall family outings — something outdoorsy, cozy, and just a little bit spontaneous.
Because before you know it, we’ll be deep into twinkle lights and Christmas cookies. Right now, though, there’s still time to breathe in that autumn air and soak up every ounce of fall magic.
🍂 Make the Most of the Season Before It Slips Away
This time of year moves fast. School schedules are packed, weekends fill up quickly, and it’s easy to blink and realize the trees are bare. That’s why planning one intentional fall family outings — even if it’s just a few hours — can be such a reset.
A day outside gives everyone a break from screens, to-do lists, and upcoming holiday prep. It’s a chance to connect, laugh, and make memories that don’t require much more than warm socks and an open afternoon.
Think of it as one last deep breath of fall before we shift into full holiday mode.
🎃 Ideas for Your Fall Family Outings
Need a little inspiration? Here are a few easy, family-friendly ideas to help you make the most of the season:
- 🌽 Get lost in a corn maze (and let someone else figure out the way out).
- 🍎 Go apple picking and turn your haul into pies or homemade applesauce.
- 🎃 Visit a pumpkin patch — bonus points for a wagon ride and hot cider.
- 🌲 Take a scenic drive or fall hike to see the leaves changing.
- 🧺 Pack a cozy picnic with soup in a thermos and a flannel blanket.
- 🐴 Go on a hayride or check your local farm for harvest festivals.
- 🔥 End the day with a backyard bonfire — s’mores required, of course.
Each of these outdoor fall activities for families is simple, budget-friendly, and guaranteed to help you slow down and reconnect before the busy season ahead.
🔍 Add Some Fun with a Fall Scavenger Hunt
If you want to keep everyone (especially the kids) engaged, grab the Fall Scavenger Hunt Printable from the Holiday Hub. It’s a simple, screen-free way to turn an ordinary fall family outing into a full-blown adventure.
See who can spot a red maple leaf, a scarecrow, a hay bale, or a friendly farm animal first. You can play as a team, make it a competition, or just use it as a fun reason to look around and notice the details of the season.
You can download the Fall Scavenger Hunt Printable in the Holiday Hub — it’s totally free and ready to print!
🍁 Tips to Make the Most of the Day
- Dress in layers — fall weather can’t make up its mind.
- Bring a thermos of cider or hot cocoa.
- Snap a few family photos, but don’t stress about getting the perfect one.
- Slow down and really take it all in — the smell of the leaves, the crisp air, the sound of laughter.
- And most importantly, remember: no matter what happens — spilled cocoa, cranky kids, muddy boots — it’s all part of the memory.
The goal isn’t a perfect day. It’s a family day — messy, warm, and perfectly imperfect.
🎄 Keep the Cozy Going
Once you’re back home, make it a tradition to wind down with something simple: a movie night, a batch of pumpkin bread, or a family game. If you need ideas, you’ll find plenty of inspiration inside the Holiday Hub — your go-to space for checklists, printables, and easy family activities all season long.
✅ Today’s To-Do
Plan your fall family outing and download your Fall Scavenger Hunt Printable in the Holiday Hub.
Because once those leaves are gone… winter’s just around the corner.
