100+ Fall activities for kids and teens that actually get them off their screens -

Fall has this magic to it that everyone feels instantly, from little kids who want to jump in leaf piles to teenagers who think they are too cool for pumpkin patches but still end up enjoying themselves once they get there.

The air turns crisp, the leaves start changing color, and there is a real window of a few weeks before the cold really sets in to make the most of everything the season has to offer.

Between school, homework, and the pull of phones and video games, it can feel hard to get everyone motivated to put their screens down and actually do something together as a family or with friends.

That is where a good list comes in handy, especially one that has options for different ages and moods, whether your crew wants to spend the afternoon outside or curl up indoors with a craft.

This list is broken into sections built specifically for younger kids and separate sections built for teens, so everyone in the house has activities suited to where they are.

You will find outdoor ideas, indoor crafts, games, and community events for the kids, plus its own set of outdoor adventures, creative projects, and group activities designed with teens in mind.

No matter if you are planning one activity a week or trying to fill an entire weekend, here are more than 100 ideas to pull from.

Outdoor activities for kids

If you have kids with lots of energy, you might have noticed that the cooler air makes them want to run around more, not less.

These ideas take advantage of the season while the weather is still nice enough to be outside for hours at a time. Most of them cost nothing and just need a backyard or a nearby park.

Leaf pile jumping – Rake up a big pile in the yard and let them dive right in.
Apple picking at a local orchard – Kids love filling their own bag and picking out the perfect apple.
Pumpkin patch visit – Most patches have hay rides and mazes built in for a full afternoon out.
Nature scavenger hunt – Send them off with a list of leaves, acorns, and pinecones to find.
Bike rides through fallen leaves – There is nothing like the crunch of riding straight through a pile.
Bonfire and s’mores night – Set up a tent, tell stories, and enjoy an evening under the stars with bonfires and s’mores.
Leaf raking races – See who can build the biggest pile the fastest.
Fall picnic at the park – Pack a thermos of cider and enjoy the cooler weather outside.
Kite flying – Fall winds are perfect for getting a kite up high.
Building a scarecrow – Stuff old clothes with straw and give the yard some personality.
Stargazing on a clear night – Cooler air means clearer skies, so grab a blanket and look up.
Backyard obstacle course – Use fallen branches and leaf piles to build a course to run through.
Backyard camping – Set up a tent for an hour or two before bed for a taste of camping without leaving home.
Leaf shape sorting – Have them collect leaves and sort them by size, color, or shape.
Fall photo scavenger hunt – Give them a list of fall sights to photograph around the yard or park.
Sidewalk chalk fall drawings – Let them draw pumpkins, leaves, and scarecrows on the driveway.
Collecting acorns and pinecones – Save them up for crafts later in the week.
Watching squirrels gather food – A simple nature observation activity that keeps little ones entertained outside.
Raking leaves into shapes – Try letters, animals, or spirals instead of just piles.
Fall water balloon toss – Play a quick round before warming up with hot cider.

Indoor and craft activities for kids

Once the sun starts setting earlier, kids need something to do inside that still feels like fall.

These crafts and projects use simple supplies you likely already have at home. They also make for great rainy-day backups when outdoor plans fall through.

Leaf pressing and art – Press leaves in a heavy book, then turn them into leaf people or bookmarks.
Pumpkin painting – Skip the carving mess and let them paint their pumpkin instead.
Baking apple muffins together – Let them measure and stir while the kitchen smells like fall.
Fall sensory bin – Fill a bin with dried corn, mini pinecones, and small pumpkins to dig through. Here are some great ideas to make fall sensory bins.
Window art with leaf silhouettes – Trace leaves onto contact paper for a stained glass effect.
Story time with fall books – Pick a stack about pumpkins and scarecrows for a cozy afternoon.
Leaf rubbings with crayons – Place paper over a leaf and rub crayon across it for an easy print.
Paper plate pumpkin crafts – Paint a plate orange and add a stem for a simple project.
Fall sensory bottle – Fill a bottle with water, glitter, and mini leaves for a calming shake toy.
DIY pinecone bird feeders – Coat a pinecone in peanut butter and birdseed to hang outside.
Painting rocks like pumpkins – Turn plain rocks into a mini pumpkin patch display.
Starting a nature journal – Have them draw or write about what they find on walks.
Fall coloring pages – Keep a stack on hand for a quiet afternoon activity.
Making a leaf garland – String pressed leaves together to hang on the front door.
Cinnamon scented playdough – Mix cinnamon into homemade dough for a fall twist on a classic activity.
Handprint leaf art – Trace hands in fall colors to make a tree or wreath.
DIY sun catchers – Layer tissue paper leaves between contact paper for a window decoration.
Decorating mini pumpkins – Use stickers and gems instead of paint for younger kids.
Popsicle stick scarecrow – Glue sticks together and decorate with fabric scraps for a tiny scarecrow.
Countdown paper chain to Halloween – Make a link for each day and let them tear one off daily.

Fall games for kids

Sometimes kids just want to play, and fall offers a lot of fun themes for building games.

These work well for a slow weekend afternoon or as filler activities during a fall party. Most only need a few household items to set up.

Corn maze race – See who can find the exit first if your area has one nearby.
Pumpkin carving contest – Give everyone their own pumpkin and vote on a winner.
Leaf color hunt – Give them a shade chart and have them match leaves to each color.
Acorn toss into buckets – Set up a simple target game using collected acorns.
Pumpkin bowling – Use mini pumpkins to knock down a row of cups.
Fall trivia game – Ask simple questions about the season to keep everyone thinking.
Leaf matching memory game – Use pressed leaves in pairs for a homemade memory game.
Pin the stem on the pumpkin – A fall twist on the classic blindfolded party game.
Guess the pumpkin weight – Let everyone guess before checking on a kitchen scale.
Fall bingo – Fill a card with fall sights to check off during a walk or drive.
Musical chairs with fall music – Play a cozy playlist while everyone circles the chairs.
Pumpkin relay race – Carry mini pumpkins on spoons across the yard without dropping them.
Scarecrow dress up relay – Race to put together a scarecrow outfit the fastest.
Leaf toss target game – Toss leaves into hula hoops set at different distances.

Outdoor activities for teens

Teens are not always as easy to pull outside as younger kids, but fall has a way of making outdoor time feel worth it.

The cooler weather, the changing colors, and the chance to hang out with friends outside of a screen all work in your favor here. These ideas will surely keep them engaged in the outdoors when the weather is nice.

Hiking a local trail during peak foliage – Teens tend to enjoy a longer walk with a good view as the payoff.
Apple orchard trip with friends – Turn a simple pick your own visit into a hangout with a group.
Corn maze challenge – See who can finish first without checking a map.
Bonfire night with friends – Add music and snacks for a low key evening outdoors.
Fall photography walk – Hand them a phone or camera and send them out to capture the changing leaves.
Bike ride to a new trail – Explore somewhere new while the weather is still comfortable.
Outdoor movie night in the backyard – Set up a projector and blankets for a cozy screening under the stars.
Pumpkin patch photo shoot – Teens often enjoy the aesthetic side of a patch visit as much as the picking.
Fishing trip before the weather turns – Fall can bring some of the best fishing conditions of the year.
Frisbee or football in the park – Take advantage of the cooler air for an active afternoon.
Stargazing with a star chart app – Older kids can get into identifying constellations on a clear night.
Fall scavenger hunt around town – Create a list of seasonal landmarks or displays to find and photograph.
Trail running – Cooler temperatures make fall a great season to start or keep up a running habit.
Backyard fire pit hangout – Add s’mores and a speaker for music to make it a proper evening.

Indoor and creative activities for teens

Once the weather turns colder or the sun sets earlier, teens tend to gravitate toward projects that let them express themselves.

These ideas give them room to be creative without it feeling like busywork, and most can be done solo or with friends.

Baking a fall recipe from scratch – Let them pick a pumpkin or apple recipe and manage the whole process themselves.
Trying a new fall drink recipe – Homemade chai, cider, or hot chocolate gives them something to experiment with in the kitchen.
Journaling or scrapbooking the season – Encourage them to document favorite fall moments in their own way.
DIY room decor for fall – Let them make simple string lights displays or seasonal decor for their room.
Painting a fall landscape – A relaxed art project using warm autumn colors.
Starting a new book from a fall reading list – Cozy weather is a good excuse to pick up a book they have been meaning to read.
Learning a new recipe for a fall potluck – Give them ownership over one dish for a family gathering.
Making a fall themed playlist – Let them curate music that fits the mood of the season.
Creating your own board game – Let them invent the rules, draw the board, and design silly game pieces for hours of creativity and play.
Trying a puzzle together – A large seasonal puzzle works well for a slow weekend evening.
Learning to knit or crochet a simple scarf – A useful skill that pairs well with the colder weather ahead.
Redecorating a bedroom corner for fall – Small touches like a new blanket or candle can make a big difference.

Games and group activities for teens

Teens are usually more into activities when friends are involved, so this section leans into games built for a group.

These work well for a weekend hangout, a sleepover, or just a way to get everyone off their phones for an evening.

Trivia night with a fall theme – Put together categories around pumpkins, Halloween, and harvest facts.
Escape room style scavenger hunt at home – Set up clues and puzzles that lead to a small prize.
Board game tournament – Pick a few favorites and run a mini bracket over a weekend.
Charades with a fall word list – Keep the words tied to the season for an easy twist on the classic game.
Fall themed karaoke night – Build a playlist around cozy or seasonal songs.
Video game tournament with friends – A fall rainy day is a good excuse for a friendly competition.
Pumpkin carving contest with a theme – Assign categories like scariest or funniest for some friendly competition.
Cards or board game night with hot drinks – Pair a favorite game with cider or hot chocolate for a cozy evening in.

Community and out of the house ideas

Some of the best fall activities are not things you have to plan from scratch, they are already happening around town if you know where to look.

This section rounds up the events and outings worth checking your local calendar for, and most work well for kids and teens alike.

Hayride at a local farm – A relaxed way to see the property while resting your legs.
Fall festival at school or church – These usually come with games and food built in for an easy afternoon out.
Farmers market trip – Fall markets often have seasonal produce and sometimes hot cider or donuts.
Nature walk at a park known for foliage – Look up a trail with good fall color and bring a bag for collecting leaves.
Petting zoo visit – Many patches and farms have these built in during the season.
Local corn maze trip – A fun outing that works well for both kids and teens.
Botanical garden visit in fall – See how the display changes with the season.
Harvest festival attendance – Check local listings for community events built around the season.
Apple cider donut tasting – Make a stop at an orchard specifically for this seasonal treat.
Practice trick or treating walk – A relaxed walk around the neighborhood to check out decorations.
Library storytime with a fall theme – A good option for younger kids on a slower weekday.
Pumpkin trail or scarecrow trail walk – Some towns set these up each year as a self guided walking activity.
Fall themed drive in movie night – Check for a local drive in running a seasonal lineup.
Tractor pull or barrel train ride at a farm – A fun add on activity during a farm visit.
Fall craft fair visit – Browse local vendors and pick up something handmade for the season.
Volunteer at a local food drive or harvest event – A meaningful way for teens to get involved in the community during fall.

Final Thoughts

We hope that with this many options split across ages, you can fill every weekend of the season without repeating yourself once.

Pick a mix from each section so both the kids and the teens in the house have something on the list that they will look forward to during the season.

Let us know how your kids had fun in the comments below!

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