Best Fall Activities for the Whole Family

Have fun this fall with our favorite 7 Little Johnstons-inspired events, hobbies, and projects — and catch the new season, premiering on Tuesday, October 14 at 10/9c!

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Make the Most of Your Fall

Fall is a great time to do stuff together as a family. 7 Little Johnstons is back on Tuesday, October 14 at 10/9c — and the family loves finding fun themed stuff to do with each other each season. With the changing leaves, fall holidays and fall foods there’s no shortage of fun, family-friendly activities to try before winter comes.

Here are 15 of our Johnston-inspired favorites!

Apple Picking

One of the most quintessential fall activities, there are few people who don’t love apple picking. Whether you choose a spot that’s all about the apples or one that offers cider, donuts, and a bunch of kids' activities, you’ll make plenty of family memories. Take home your haul and bake an apple crisp together for even more family fun.

Visit a Pumpkin Patch

Carving pumpkins as a family is fun, but heading to the pumpkin patch to pick out your own pumpkin adds an extra layer to this family activity. Often included is a hayride to get out to the patch. Choose from a classic orange pumpkin or get something a little funkier. Take them home and carve, paint, or decorate them in a creative way.

Go Vintage Shopping

The fall is a great time to shop and vintage shopping is such a fun, different way to score finds. Whether you are looking for vintage furniture for the home or vintage clothing, many places will host vintage markets in the fall for the whole family to peruse. 

Book Family Photos

Making memories is a year-round activity, but fall is a great time to capture slightly more formal photos. An outside location is always amazing (weather permitting) and the fall offers a chance to show off all of your cute back-to-school clothes with the changing leaves as a background.

Build a Bonfire

Cooler nights call for some time around the fire. Break out the s’mores, a guitar if you play, and spend some quality time chatting outdoors. Tell stories and if you want a challenge, cook dinner over the open fire! It’s always a fun family activity.

Attend a Football Game

Whether it’s a professional game, college, or high school, there’s just something about watching football in the fall. Many local games are free or cost only a few dollars to get in, and it’s a fun family activity to have that Friday night lights moment!

Volunteer Together

Fall is a great time to give back as a family. Whether you volunteer at an animal shelter, make blankets for the homeless, organize at the food pantry, or clean out your closets to donate, it always feels good to help others and it’s a great way to bond with your loved ones.

Bake Fall Treats

Fall is a great time to bake, whether it be for a school event or just for an afternoon with the family. Pumpkin or zucchini breads, apple crisps, Snickerdoodles, and more are all delicious fall baking choices. Find a recipe you all love and divide up the responsibilities among the family. Breathe in the fall spices and enjoy!

Peep the Changing Leaves

Fall provides its own beautiful artwork with the leaves changing. Do some research and find a place where the colors of the leaves start to morph. Take photos, bring snacks, and enjoy the beauty of fall.

Make Candles

A craft project is always a fun fall activity to do as a family, and candle making is something different! There are plenty of places you can go to make candles or you can buy the supplies on your own. Pick a fall scent and your craft project can turn into a candle you’ll use all throughout the fall season. 

Attend a Fall Festival

Fall is such a beloved season and you’ll find fall festivals in just about every town! From caramel apples to apple cider, corn mazes, hayrides, carnival games, and more, attending one of these fall festivals is such a wholesome thing to do as a family.

Make Chili

Cooking together is always a fun family activity. Chili is a great pick because it’s not only warm on a cool fall day, but it's also easy for all ages to participate in making the dish. The youngest kids can rinse the beans, the older kids can measure the spices, and everyone can have fun topping the chili with cheese, sour cream, and crackers once it’s done.

Enjoy a Hike

Fall is the best time to take a hike and explore a spot that’s a little outside your town. Check out an app like Alltrails to find a hike that works for your family. You can search by difficulty level and there’s always helpful hints like what animals you may encounter or where the bathrooms are.

Make a Gratitude Jar

With Thanksgiving around the corner, it’s great to get together as a family and reflect on what you’re grateful for. Cut up strips of paper and have everyone write a few things that they feel gratitude for. It’ll make the perfect centerpiece for a Thanksgiving dinner.

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