Fun Fall Activities That Will Increase Connection with Your Kids/Teens

Pumpkins, and scarecrows, and fall leaves, oh my! There is something special about when the weather cools down, leaves begin changing, and the smell and feel of fall are both in the air. From outdoor activities to indoor fun, here are some ideas for how your family can enjoy this season, while being intentional to increase connection and strengthen your relationships.

First things first, grab a Fall Planner, and print off the Fall Bucket List sheet so you can keep track of all the fun things your family would like to do this fall!

1. Take Evening Walks

With the weather cooling down, it’s the perfect time of year to take a family walk in the evening. We have been doing this for many years. A few nights a week, we will take a walk before putting the youngest kiddos to sleep. It doesn’t take much time at all, and it is an intentional activity to increase connection with your kids. Walk, put the littles in wagons, ride the scooters, or even take the bikes. Use that time for laughing, conversation, enjoying the weather, but nothing negative or serious. Just enjoy being with them while taking a stroll down the street, around the neighborhood, or at the park.

2. Carve a pumpkin

 Let everyone pick out a pumpkin at the store and then carve or paint them! They don’t have to be perfect, it’s just about having fun together. Then set them out on the porch and enjoy them all season!

3. Bake a treat

Kids of all ages love to pour, stir, mix, and create in the kitchen. They can help you pick out something new to try. Or if you have a special recipe you make every year, it’s a great time to pass that recipe and those cooking skills to them. Remember, messes can be cleaned, but time with kids is short!

4. Take selfies together

Take some fun pictures in front of beautiful fall trees. Pictures don’t always have to be done by professionals. All of our favorite photos are the ones we take while just having fun together.

5. Have a fall family movie night

Prepare fall themed snacks and hot chocolate. Grab all the fall blankets. Put on some fuzzy socks, and cozy up in front of the television for a fun fall movie!

6. Make a backyard fire

Gather stuff to make hot dogs and s’mores over the fire. Make some chili ahead of time to go on the hot dogs for the perfect easy fall meal! Get chairs, blankets, and some music. Sit around the fire telling stories, jokes, and having a sweet time together that they will remember!

7. Throw a ball around

Nothing says fall like football! Well, I guess a lot of things scream fall. Football is one of them. Grab a football and have a backyard football game or just throw the ball around. If football isn’t your family’s thing, try something ya’ll enjoy outside. It could be basketball, jumping on the trampoline, gymnastics out in the yard, frisbee, or something else! There are so many outdoor activities to enjoy.

8. Go on a hike

It’s a perfect time of year to take a hike and soak in the beautiful fall views, while enjoying time together!

9. Do a fall puzzle

Puzzles are a great way to build connection. When you do a big puzzle, like a 1,000 piece or so, it takes some time. Put on some music or a show in the background, or just enjoy sitting around talking. When you finish the puzzle, glue and frame it for a simple fall decoration that is filled with memories!

10. Jump in a pile of leaves

Rake up some crisp fall leaves and take turns jumping in. My kids love for me to record them in slow motion. It’s pretty fun to look back on. You can even take pictures of them jumping in and laying in the pile to frame on the wall for awesome fall décor that brings back fun memories each year, when you get them back out each year! Don’t forget to jump in with them. It’s all about those memories!

Here is a list with even more fall activities to enjoy with the family! 

• Go to a pumpkin patch
• Have a game night with family or friends
• Attend a fall festival
• Donate to a food bank
• Go camping
• Make a scarecrow
• Go to a football game
• Roast pumpkin seeds
• Make pine cone bird feeders
• Go apple picking
• Make caramel apples
• Go on a picnic
• Go on a hayride
• Try some different fall drinks, coffee and/or hot chocolate
• Make different pumpkin recipes
• Pick out your favorite fall leaves and book press them (Put in a ziploc bag with a note of everyone's best fall memories that year. Date it and place in a book to press it and save it for memories!)
• Place leaves under coloring page and color over them
• Do other fall leaf activities
• Color fall coloring pages
• Start a gratitude journal

Is there another activity that your family does each year? Comment below to share your idea.