With the cooler weather just around the corner, it is time to start thinking of some free, cheap and fun things to do this Fall (or Autumn, whichever you prefer), to keep the kids busy.
I curated this list to make it easy for you to plan some fun fall activities (on a budget of course)!
If you are looking for activities that cost little to nothing, keep on reading to create some great fall memories on a budget.
Reminder:
As restrictions lessen, and more events and locations start opening up, be sure to check City calendars, and various locations’ Covid rules and regulations.
Get Outside
It’s that time! Sweater weather!
Put on your favourite fall attire, grab the kids and get outside!
Enjoy the crisp air while the leaves crunch beneath your feet.
1. Go on a Hike/Walk
Just head to your city’s parks and recreation page or simply Google for trails in your area. This is 100% free and gets you out of the house and in nature!
2. Go to a National Park/ Conservation Area
Many of these parks have free admission for children, occasionally you have to pay for parking, or admittance, check the websites of the parks near you for more information.
3. Go to a Park Near Your House
Don’t want to make the drive to the conservation area, then check your local park instead. Watch the ducks, take a few swings on the swing sets, or check out the slide.
4. Walk Around the Block
Checkout the fall colors in your own neighborhood. Admire the fall and Halloween decorations.
5. Go on a Bike Ride
Don’t forget the helmets. Explore a new bike path or trail, while enjoying the fall colors.
6. Collect Leaves
Use them for arts and crafts, such as leaf rubbings, card making and such.
7. Rake the Leaves and Then Jump in the Pile!
Have the kids help rake the leaves. The best part of raking is making a huge pile to jump in!
8. Garage Sale
Have the children help with selling their unwanted toys or books. This is a great way to make room for the upcoming Christmas Presents.
9. Head to the Farmer’s Market
They usually host free events for the kids. If you are on a tight budget, only bring the amount of cash you are willing to spend, because trust me you can get carried away.
10. Go to a Sunflower Field
Great for family pictures. Just make sure you go before they are all wilted.
11. Corn Maze
They are absolutely Ah-maze-ing! The kids will love it.
12. Hayride
Take in the sites of the farm, without the walking. The kids will love following behind a big tractor for sure.
13. Petting Zoo
This is a great time to stop by the petting zoos, and have fun while learning about different animals. I used to love this as a kid, still do!
14. Go Apple Picking
Stop by a local orchard and pick a basket of apples. This can be pricy depending on the orchard, amount of apples and type of apples you pick.
Do a quick search on their website or google reviews, to find out if pricing is in your budget.
15. Pumpkin Patch
Similar to apple picking, pumpkin picking at a farm runs higher than that of picking your pumpkin up from the grocery store.
So budget accordingly.
16. Sidewalk Chalk
Buy a pack from summer clearance and have the kids go to town on the driveway before the snow falls.
17. Make Chalk Paint
Equal parts water to cornstarch and a few drops of food coloring, and you have your own chalk paint.
18. Hopscotch
With all that chalk you can use it to make a hopscotch court.
19. Birdwatch
With or without binoculars. Look up a list of birds in the area and see how many you can find.
20. Go To The Fall Fair
Enjoy the day at the fair. You usually have to pay for admission, but then there are many free activities for the kids, depending where you go.
21. Sports
If the children are not registered in any extracurriculars this fall, you can still grab a soccer, baseball, or basketball, and get outside.
22. Backyard Campout
Pitch a tent in the backyard, get the camping experience, in the comfort of your own backyard. Make sure to bring warm blankets for the cooler weather.
23. Go On A Nature Scavenger Hunt
Make a list of items to search for, such as a pinecone, a leaf bigger than your hand, a spider web or even a big stick.
24. Frisbee
You can pick up a frisbee at the dollar store. There are even some parks that have disk golf.
25. Go Geocaching
Use GPS to track down boxes, it is like a modern day treasure hunt.
26. Outdoor Science Experiments
Vinegar and baking soda to make a foaming pumpkin, or the classic coke and mentos.
27. Have A Picnic
Bundle up, bring a blanket, and pick a not too windy day. Load up with your kids favorite snacks, and find a colorful spot for a picnic.
28. Lawn Games
Such as horseshoe/ ring toss, corn hole, or even catch.
29. Climb a Tree
I used to be so good at climbing trees as a kid. It is a great opportunity to improve their gross motor skills, and risk taking. If you’re still a little hesitant, find lower hanging branches on your walks, and supervise your child.
30. Race
Down the sidewalk, around the backyard get that energy out.
31. Obstacle Course
Allow the children to help come up with ideas for the course, and the setup.
Get Creative
32. Gratitude Cards
Have the children make Thanksgiving a little more meaningful, by writing reasons why someone makes them smile. Hand out the cards to school teachers, coaches, friends and family.
33. Write In a Journal
Have the children write their favorite part of the day. Draw a picture to accompany the text. Or start a gratitude journal.
34. Homemade Play-Dough
So many easy and fun recipes to try on Pinterest. Add a little cinnamon and nutmeg to the dough for a nice fall scent.
35. Slime
Add glitter, sequins and all sorts to match the season. Halloween is a great reason to make slime.
36. Make a Bird Feeder
With winter coming, set up an area near a window, to hang your bird feeder. Paper towel or toilet paper rolls covered in peanut butter and birdseed.
37. Paint Acorns, Leaves Sticks and Pinecones
Get crafty and paint all the things you found on your nature walks. You can then use them as low-cost decorations around the house for Thansgiving and Halloween.
38. Make a Scarecrow
Be it a life size one or a small one, checkout pintrests for many scarecrow crafts.
39. Carve Pumpkins
‘Tis the season, for being elbow deep in a nice Jack-o-lantern.
40. Have a Family Photo Shoot
Great excuse to dress up, play in the leaves or head to the farm.
41. Dress Up And Have A Fashion Show
Have the children set up a runway, put on their favorite clothes, or silly costumes and host a fashion show.
42. Make a Fort
Build a fort with blankets, chairs, and couch cushions.
43. Shadow Puppets
Teach the kids how to make shadow puppets, at night or in the fort.
44. Write a Funny/ Scary Story
Have the children come up with a plot line, characters, all while practicing their writing skills.
45. Friendship Bracelets
Grab some gimp, or embroidery floss from the dollar store or craft store. Great activity for those cold rainy days.
46. Host a Comedy Show or Tell Jokes
Find a kid friendly joke book, and take turns making each other laugh.
47. Make a Music Video
Have the kids create a video to their favourite song.
48. Face Painting/Makeup
Kids absolutely love the transformation face paint gives them.
49. Do Leaf Rubbings
Grab some leaves when you are outside, lay a piece of paper over top and while holding both down, color on top of the paper, preferably with crayons or markers.
50. Make Sock Puppets
Grab those mismatched socks, or that lone one that’s been hanging out in the laundry room, and turn them into sock puppets.
You can use markers, googlely eyes, pom poms, and buttons to jazz them up.
51. Finger Painting
No brushes, no rules.
Get Cooking
52. Candy Apples
Kids love candy apples, plus they fun to make! Check Pinterest for a variety of delicious recipes.
53. Roast Pumpkin Seeds
After gutting your pumpkin, rinse off the seeds and roast them in the oven, with a little salt. You can also experiment with other recipes one year we made cinnamon sugar covered ones, they were soooo good.
54. Make S’mores
You can make many delicious s’mores treats at home, just check out Pinterest.
55. Make Treats For The Neighbors
Make a pie, or cookies together, and bring it over to the neighbors.
56. Homemade Pizza
You can make pizzas on bagels, english muffins, pitas, and even naan, try them all.
57. Make Cookies
There are about a million and one cookie recipes on the internet, pick one to try to make together.
Get Competitive
58. Pillow Fight
Try not to get carried away.
59. Tic-Tac-Toe
You can play it on the sidewalk, on paper, on rocks, or on a game board.
60. Family Game Night
Pick a few games to play together as a family, and make a night of it.
61. Bob for Apples
This may not be the best game to play during Covid times, but you can always adapt by giving each child their own bucket to bob in.
62. Rock Paper Scissors Tournament
The best of the best face off.
63. Have a Scavenger Hunt
Hide objects around the house, and have the children search for them. You can also hide Halloween candy or toys around. Great for Halloween parties.
64. Dance Contest
Who’s got the best moves? My money is on Dad.
65. Talent Show
Host a talent show, and try to upstage each other.
66. Charades
Guess the words that other players are acting out.
67. Simon Says
Follow directions but only if the sentence starts with ‘Simon Says’
68. No Talking Contest
Best quiet game ever. Great to play in the car.
Other Fun Things To Do
69. Movie Night or Day
Spend the whole day or night watching movies, not just one. Feel free to take a break in between, for stretches and refills.
70. Drink Apple Cider
Nothing warms you up more on a cold fall day, than apple cider.
71. Collect Food for Local Food Banks
Do a good service, and collect for those in need this season.
72. Visit a Haunted House
Enjoy the fun of getting scared, and watching the kids jump.
73. Trick or Treating
Show off your costumes, by going door to door on October 31st!
74. Do a Puzzle
Bonus Points: The higher the piece count, the better.
75. Sleepover
Invite some of the children’s friends over for a sleepover, watch movies, play games, and snack the night away.
76. Read A Book
Read together or have a child read on their own .
77. Free Classes/ Events
Attend free events hosted by the city, libary or local craft stores.
78. Random Acts of Kindness
Help an elder cross the road, or take out their groceries. Buy a homeless person lunch, or even hide money or gift cards for others to find.
79. Spa Day
Get some face masks, do eachother’s nails, and stay warm inside.
80. Throw A Halloween Party
Have the kids dress up, decorate and invite friends over for a night of frightful fun!
I hope you use this list to make some amazing fall memories with the children in your life.
Leave your fun frugal ideas for the fall in the comments below.
Stay frugal,
Connie xoxo
