Wondering what to do this fall? I can help you with that! Fall makes me happy – I love the way the leaves change colors, the air gets sharper, and the excitement of the upcoming holidays grows. Here are several fall activity ideas to make the most out of the season.

Photo Credit: liz west via Flickr, used unmodified under CC BY 2.0 license

Pumpkin patch – It’s remarkable how something as simple as picking your own pumpkin can be so fun. I remember going to pumpkin patches when I was a kid and getting to choose my own pumpkin to take home, and it’s hard to outgrow it – it was just as fun when I went a two years ago.

Corn maze – I’m super directionally challenged, but I still like corn mazes (and they usually have maps just in case you want to keep it in your back pocket to peek at when you start feeling lost).

My Totoro pumpkin carving from Halloween 2014 modified from a free template from Fantasy Pumpkins

Carve a jack-o-lantern – In the past, I’ve gone the classic route and carved a face, but last year I got more creative and did a cartoon character (Totoro) modified from a template I found online. Some of my friends made a full Halloween scene complete with cat, hanging stars, and trees. Tip: If you’re going to do more than simple faces, it might be worth it to get a pumpkin carving kit (I get commissions for purchases made through that link*) – I used one last year and it was easier than using knives, especially for the smaller details on my Totoro pumpkin. I also really like saving the seeds for toasting and eating!

Go to a costume party – There’s something so fun about dressing up in costume. Maybe it’s because it’s one of the few times people think it’s acceptable to pretend we’re someone else the way we used to when we were kids. Whatever it is, wearing a costume for Halloween is one of my favorite parts of the season. If I don’t go anywhere, then I try to at least dress up to hand out candy for the trick-or-treaters.

Go stargazing – This activity doesn’t have to be limited to summer. It gets dark early in the fall, so if you’re a morning person like me, you don’t have to stay up as late to see the constellations, but it is much colder, so be sure to bundle up!

Public Domain photo via Pixabay

Take a walk and crunch in the leaves – One of my favorite fall activities is to go on “Crunchy Leaf Walks” where I step on as many dry leaves as I can, just for the satisfyingly crispy sound. I usually also pick up a few of the more vibrantly colored leaves to dry and put around the house as decoration.

Pop popcorn and enjoy some family time – Some of my favorite family memories are the simple ones where we’re eating popcorn and watching a movie, seeing the fire dance in the fireplace, or playing Pictionary.

Write a big list of reasons you’re thankful – I do this every year around Thanksgiving, and it always amazes me how much it changes my attitude and reminds me of what’s important.

What’s missing from this list? What are your favorite things to do in the fall?

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