Photo by Yan Krukau
Fall is the perfect time of year to plan fun adventures with your family. The heat of summer is gone along with many of those annoying summer insects. The days are cool and clear, with just a nip in the air, and the leaves are a gorgeous riot of color beckoning you outside. Best of all, family activities don’t have to be expensive in order to be fun or to create life-long memories. No matter where you live, you can find lots of low-cost or even free activities that your kids will love.
In this article, we list 10 free or low-cost activities that are perfect for fall. If you’re on a budget, give these fun adventures a try.
Visit a Pumpkin Patch
Of course, we had to start out our list with going to your local pumpkin patch. It might have been a family tradition in your childhood, and now you can continue that tradition with your own family. These days, many pumpkin patches offer a range of activities above and beyond just finding that perfect pumpkin. Some offer hay rides, petting zoos, and even pony rides. You can easily make your visit to the pumpkin patch a day-long adventure.
To save a little money, consider bringing snacks so you don’t have to buy them at the pumpkin patch. You can also encourage your kids to choose smaller pumpkins or to share a larger pumpkin between them.
Visit a Corn Maze
Many pumpkin patches include a corn maze. You can also find stand-alone corn mazes in many communities. Though you’ll often have to pay a fee to enter the maze, the cost is usually $20 or less and may include discounts for multiple family members. Take your time in the corn maze to get the most out of your experience.
Carve Your Pumpkins
Now that your kiddos have picked their pumpkins from the pumpkin patch, put on your favorite family-friendly Halloween movie and start carving. You can find fun and easy carving books full of kid-friendly patterns at most local big box retailers. However, you don’t need to spend extra money on these books. Libraries have plenty of kid-friendly resources, and the internet is filled with designs you can print out or copy. Check out these helpful tips on how to carve a pumpkin from Good Housekeeping before getting started.
Bonus tip: When you’re done carving your pumpkins, get started on making thrifty Halloween costumes.
Pick Apples
Apples usually ripen between July and November depending on where you live. That makes fall the perfect time to visit your local orchard, grab a bag or basket, and start picking. You and your kids will enjoy walking through the trees looking for the best apples to pick. Many orchards also provide additional fun activities for families that can extend this outing.
Best of all, when you get home with your bags of apples, you’ll have the perfect excuse to start baking tasty treats. Which brings us to…
Bake Fall Treats
One of the things that makes fall so special is… you guessed it, the food! Baking is a wonderful activity to do with children of all ages. It can create delightful memories while also teaching them helpful cooking skills. As a bonus, you get to nosh on the yummy results of your efforts.
Some great recipes to try with your children are
Apple piePumpkin pieCarmel applesApple cider doughnutsPumpkin cupcakes6. Take a Hike
One of the best free fall activities to do with your family is to take a hike. Hiking is an excellent way to enjoy fresh air, sunshine, and exercise. It also gives you an opportunity to take in the gorgeous colors of fall. Use this time to relax, enjoy the peaceful environment, and help your children connect with nature. Not sure where to hike? AllTrails is an excellent resource that lets you look for trails in your area.
7. Make S’Mores Over a Campfire
If you have room on your property, set out the camping chairs and build a campfire. (You can also use your fire pit, or even an indoor fireplace, if you have one.) Bundle up and gather your ingredients:
Graham crackersChocolate barsMarshmallowsAnything else you want in your s’mores (peanut butter or Nutella are great add-ins!)
You know the rest. Use sticks or stakes to roast your marshmallows over the fire and enjoy the gooey, crunchy dessert with your family. The campfire is also a great place to tell ghost stories or to sing your favorite camp songs.
8. Make a Scarecrow
You don’t need to buy expensive inflatables at the big box retailers to have fall or Halloween decorations in your yard. Personalize your home by making your own decorations. This is also the perfect activity to do with your kids. Best of all, you don’t need much. Just rustle up some old clothes, an old pillowcase, some hay, and a few other supplies. For full instructions on how to make a scarecrow, check out this helpful article from Country Living.
9. Take Family Photos
With the leaves showing off their best colors, fall can be an excellent time to take updated family portraits. You can probably find lots of wonderful places in your town that will make for a cozy backdrop to your pictures. It also won’t be too hot or too cold to spend an hour or so outside. Best of all, you can turn these pictures into your holiday greetings to friends and family later in the year.
Here are a few helpful tips on improving your family photos.
10. Go on a Picnic
In many parts of the country, winter is a long and cold season. Before it hits, take some time to enjoy the gorgeous fall weather with a family picnic. Pack some yummy sandwiches, sides, and treats and head to your favorite local park. Picnics are a wonderful opportunity to enjoy time outside in the sun away from screens and phones. Play catch or tag with your kids, catch up on their lives, and focus on being present in the moment. These will be the memories that you’ll be grateful for when your children are grown and out of the house.
Not sure what to pack for the family picnic? Here are a range of delish fall picnic recipes.
Fall Activities Don’t Have to Be Expensive
Raising children and taking care of your family can get expensive, but creating beautiful fall memories doesn’t have to be. If you don’t have a lot to spend, try any of these activities, which will be rich in fall fun and cheap for your wallet.
Enjoy the wonderful autumn season!
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