85+ Fall Bucket List Ideas To Do WITH FAMILY

Before you jump into the fall bucket list I want you to think about something first. What gives you the feeling of fall. 

Fall is a feeling. No really. The reason we love fall so much is the feelings of change and the things we can see all around us.

I am a total nerd when it comes to things that give us that fun cozy feeling of both the seasons and the holidays. 

The reason we love them so much is because we have this feeling of change and new things to come. That feeling of cozying up and preparing for winter. 

A Fall Bucket List Activities For Couples

Ok, let’s admit it guys don’t care for the staged type of fall bucket list activities. So I wanted to curate a list of things that the men in your life would enjoy without rolling their eyes or leaving you with the feeling of dragging them along as punishment. 

The trick to making it work is to make it feel natural.

1. Go Hiking IN A Park – Even better if the leaves are turning and the air is cool.
2. Do a 1,000 Piece Autumn-themed Puzzle
3. Have A Bonfire – This is a perfect thing to do with guys because they are in their element and it’s still a cozy fun experience for the women. Make fall-themed food and you will knock it out of the park.
4. Go on a Hay Ride – Whether it’s with horses or a tracker anyone loves a good hay ride. 
5. Get Cozy By a Wood Burning Fire – It doesn’t have to be wood a small electric one works just as well.
6. Board Game Night – If your fella is good at playing games this is a good option. But if he is supper competitive the mood might change. Maybe you should try something else. 
7. Go To A Corn Maze – Search Corn Maze In + [ your local area and you will find something.]
8. Go Apple Picking at an Orchard – This fall bucket list idea is hard because it works. But you might win him over if you make his favorite apple dessert. 
9. Plan an autumn picnic. – Find a time right as the trees are changing color. I you have an outdoorsy husband going to a lake will be the best bribery. 
10. Sleep in and snuggle under the covers.
11. Take a road trip to see fall leaves.
12. Take a local trip. – If your spouse is adventurous try to find places that are similar to the places you like to go on vacation but close by. 

When it comes to doing fun fall activities with your spouse think of them first. Trying to do something out of the norm that he doesn’t even like is not going to make for a fun time. If you’re not sure he would like it. Just go on your own. 

Fall Bucket List Activities To Do On Your Own

Doing things on your own will give you the mental space for solitude and reflection which is what the fall season is all about. There is nothing wrong with doing things on your own. 

1. Make a Gratitude Journal – We all need to be more focused on the good and not what we don’t have. Which is what the fall season is all about. 
2. Shop on Black Friday
3. Knit a Scarf – Making something with your hands makes you feel nostalgic and brings that cozy feeling into your home. 
4. Visit a Farmer’s Market
5. Complete an Autumn Craft –  If you are like me and you want there to be purpose behind what you do. Make sure you can use what you make. Try making a fall decoration or something warm for your home.
6. Attend a Fall Festival – There is nothing better to bring the feelings of fall then going to a fall themed festival. It brings excitement and joy to everyone around.
7. Paint your nails a dark fall color. – Again seeing the warm deep colors of fall with make it more of a reality that change is coming. 
8. Buy a bunch of sunflowers.
9. Spend the day reading a book.
10. Bundle up and go on a long walk.
11. Plant bulbs for spring flowers.
12. Get cozy in your favorite fall outfit.
13. Swap out your summer and fall wardrobes. – This one is hard to say when to do it because it depends on the weather more than when you want to do it. BUT if the warm temps are hanging on and you are dyeing to change up your closet try swapping out the spring tops for fall colors. But maybe wait on the sweaters if it is still pretty warm. 

Fall Bucket List To Make Your Home Cozy

The heart of any holiday is in your home. If you start there it doesn’t matter if you go somewhere else with no decorations at all the spirit will follow you. 

Make your home the coziest and warm place you can. 

1. Burn Fall Candles
2. Hang a Handmade Wreath on Your Door
3. Plant Fall Flowers
4. Make a Scarecrow
5. Have fall themed candy around your home.
6. Bring a Fresh Baked Pie to a Neighbor
7. Create a collection of fall leaves, acorns, and pine cones.
8. Air out your house with crisp, fall air.
9. Use free fall printables for decor.

Here are 5 Affordable Fall Decor Tips to help you make the most of this fall season.

Make Fall Food

I almost put this under the section for things couples to do together. But let’s be realistic, The fellas in your life are likely to be happier helping you eat them rather than make any of the food. But if you want to combine any of these activities get creative and have fun.

Cozy Fall Desserts

1. Make Warm Apple Cider – See The Recipe Here
2. Homemade Hot Chocolate: Create a rich and creamy hot chocolate with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.
3. Roast Pumpkin Seeds – Read the easy fall recipe here.
4. Bake Pumpkin Bread – See How To Bake It Here
5. Make homemade applesauce. – See how to make it in you slow cooker here.
6. Make caramel apples – See how to make this yummy goodness here. This one even has a video.
7. Apple Pie: A warm, flaky apple pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream is a quintessential fall dessert.
8. Cider Donuts: These sweet treats are often associated with fall, and they pair perfectly with a glass of apple cider.
9. Butter Tarts: A classic Canadian treat with a gooey, buttery filling.
10. Shepherd’s Pie: A comforting dish made with ground meat, vegetables, and mashed potatoes.
11. Cinnamon Rolls: Freshly baked cinnamon rolls with cream cheese icing are perfect for breakfast or dessert.
12. Pumpkin Cheesecake: Creamy pumpkin-flavored cheesecake with a graham cracker crust.
13. Cranberry Sauce: Homemade cranberry sauce with orange zest adds a burst of flavor to your fall meals.
14. Pecan Pie: A sweet and nutty pie with a flaky crust.
15. Gingerbread Cookies: Baking and decorating gingerbread cookies is a fun fall activity, and they make for delicious treats.

Cozy Fall Meals

1. Pumpkin Soup: Creamy and rich, pumpkin soup is a classic fall favorite.
2. Butternut Squash Risotto: Creamy risotto made with roasted butternut squash is both comforting and seasonal.
3. Chili: A hearty bowl of chili with beans, ground meat, and warming spices is perfect for cooler evenings.
4. Homemade Bread: Baking your own bread, especially varieties like pumpkin bread or cinnamon swirl bread, fills your home with an inviting aroma.
5. Roast Chicken: A roast chicken with herbs and root vegetables is a comforting and satisfying meal.
6. Stuffed Acorn Squash: Hollowed-out acorn squash filled with a mixture of grains, nuts, and dried fruit makes for a beautiful and delicious fall dish.
7. Sweet Potato Casserole: Creamy mashed sweet potatoes topped with marshmallows or a pecan streusel topping.
8. Pumpkin Pancakes: Fluffy pancakes with a pumpkin twist, served with maple syrup.
9. Potato Leek Soup: A warm and hearty soup made with potatoes and leeks.
10. Sausage and Mushroom Stuffing: A flavorful side dish that’s a must-have for Thanksgiving.
11. Mulligatawny Soup: This Indian-inspired soup combines spices, vegetables, and chicken for a warm and aromatic dish.
12. Pasta with Pumpkin Sauce: Creamy pumpkin sauce with pasta is a delightful fall twist on traditional pasta dishes.
13. Beef Stew: A hearty stew filled with tender chunks of beef, root vegetables, and a savory broth.

Fall Bucket List Activities For Kids

You are never too old for play. Maybe some of these will bring out the child-like spirit in you. 

1. Pumpkin Patch Visit: Take a trip to a local pumpkin patch to pick out pumpkins for carving or decorating.
2. Apple Picking: Spend a day at an orchard, picking apples together. You can then use them to make apple pies or cider.
3. Leaf Pile Jumping: Rake up a big pile of leaves in the yard and let the kids jump into them.
4. Nature Scavenger Hunt: Create a list of items like pinecones, acorns, colorful leaves, and rocks for a nature scavenger hunt in a nearby park or forest.
5. Hayride: Enjoy a scenic hayride through a farm or countryside.
6. Fall Crafts: Get creative with fall-themed crafts like making leaf rubbings, creating handprint turkeys, or designing fall wreaths.
7. Baking Together: Bake fall-themed treats like pumpkin muffins, apple crisps, or Halloween cookies.
8. Hiking: Explore nature trails and observe the changing leaves and wildlife.
9. Campfire and S’mores: Build a campfire (if allowed) and make s’mores together while sharing stories.
10. Corn Maze: Challenge your kids to navigate through a corn maze at a local farm.
11. Scary Movie Night: Have a family movie night with kid-friendly Halloween or fall-themed movies.
12. Harvest Festival: Attend a local harvest festival with games, rides, and fall-themed activities.
13. Outdoor Picnics: Pack a picnic and enjoy it at a park, surrounded by the beautiful fall foliage.
14. Scarecrow Building: Make a scarecrow together with old clothes and hay. Place it in the yard as a fun fall decoration.
15. Storytime by the Fireplace: Cozy up by the fireplace and read fall-themed books together.
16. Leaf Art: Use leaves and paint to create colorful leaf art and leaf animals.
17. Bird Feeder Crafting: Make DIY bird feeders using pinecones, peanut butter, and birdseed. Hang them in the yard and observe visiting birds.
18. Pumpkin Decorating: Instead of carving, decorate pumpkins with paint, markers, stickers, or glitter for a mess-free alternative. My family doesn’t celebrate Halloween so we would decorate our pumpkins as turkeys or just make them a pretty fall decoration.
19. Fall Science Experiments: Try simple fall-themed science experiments like creating a volcano with a pumpkin or testing the buoyancy of apples.
20. Gardening: Plant fall bulbs or seasonal flowers together in the garden.
21. Outdoor Sports: Play outdoor sports like soccer, football, or frisbee in the crisp autumn air.
22. Family Photo Day: Have a family photoshoot amidst the fall foliage for memorable snapshots.
23. Homemade Thanksgiving Decorations: Start crafting homemade Thanksgiving decorations like place cards or a gratitude tree.

Fall activities can be so fun but often times we put them on the back burner for the sake of being “busy” when doing these things is the reason we are alive.

Take the time to create fun in your life and don’t work your life away. It may seem pointless at times but I promise you it’s worth making the effort to put a smile in your heart.

Don’t expect yourself to do 5 things in a month. Just choose one. Put it in your calendar and then see how it goes. It takes time to re-train yourself to learn to have fun. I’ve been there and I’m still a work in progress.