Fall Into Fun: Outdoor Activities for the Whole Family This Autumn

Crisp air, crunchy leaves, and that golden glow of afternoon light—fall is the perfect season to step outside and enjoy the beauty of nature. As the days grow shorter and cooler, it’s tempting to cozy up indoors. But don’t pack away your outdoor gear just yet! Autumn offers countless opportunities for exploration, play, and connection with the natural world.

Here are some simple and meaningful fall outdoor activities to enjoy with your children (and maybe even spark a few new family traditions).

1. Leaf Collecting & Nature Walks

Take a walk around your neighborhood, a nearby park, or a nature trail and collect colorful leaves, pinecones, acorns, and seed pods. Bring a bag and let your child gather treasures. When you get home, you can make leaf rubbings, create a fall collage, or start a nature journal.

Montessori tip: Encourage observation. Ask, “What do you notice about this leaf?” or “How does this pinecone feel?”

2. Visit a Pumpkin Patch

This is a fall classic for a reason. Let your child pick their own pumpkin, explore corn mazes, ride hay wagons, or visit farm animals. These simple experiences provide rich vocabulary, sensory exploration, and joyful memories.

3. Create a Fall Sensory Garden

Use your backyard or a container garden to plant mums, ornamental kale, or late-season herbs. Add in natural textures like hay bales, gourds, or cornstalks. Children love watering, arranging, and touching these earthy elements—and it builds a deeper appreciation for the changing seasons.

4. Wildlife Watching

Fall is an active time for animals preparing for winter. Head outside with binoculars and a notebook to watch squirrels gather nuts, birds migrate, or deer forage in the woods. Even the smallest backyard can be full of wildlife stories if you slow down and observe.

5. Have an Evening Bonfire

Whether it’s a fire pit in the backyard or a simple bundle of sticks at a campsite, a fall bonfire invites connection. Roast marshmallows, tell stories, sing songs, or sit quietly watching the sparks float into the night sky.

6. Go Apple Picking

Find a local orchard and fill your basket with fresh apples. Let your child climb ladders (with help!), taste different varieties, and learn where their food comes from. Bonus: you’ll have delicious ingredients for apple pie, applesauce, or warm cider when you get home.

7. Scavenger Hunt

Create a simple checklist with fall-themed items: a red leaf, a squirrel, a smooth rock, a mushroom, a bird in flight. Go exploring together and check off what you find. This encourages observation, curiosity, and movement.

8. Family Bike Rides or Hikes

The cooler temperatures make it ideal for longer rides or walks without overheating. Choose a scenic route, pack some snacks, and enjoy the changing colors of the season.

Autumn is a season of change—and that change invites us to slow down, bundle up, and appreciate the world around us. Outdoor play and exploration not only support physical health, but also emotional resilience, curiosity, and wonder.

So grab a sweater, pour some cider, and head outside. There’s so much magic waiting in the rustle of leaves and the scent of fall air.