Planning some fall activities for your family? The crisp air, colorful foliage, pumpkin patches, apple orchards, cozy campfires, and spooky Halloween traditions make fall feel like an adventure waiting to happen. There are so many different things you could add to your October bucket list it can be hard to decide which ones to choose.
Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or looking for something fun to do close to home, there are countless ways to make the most of this beautiful month.This October Bucket List contains all of my favorite fall activities both at home and while on the road.
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The Ultimate October Bucket List For Outdoor Loving Families
Go For a Fall Foliage Hike
Fall is the perfect time to go for a family hike! The weather tends to be cooler and many areas of the country come to life with fall foliage, making the hike unforgettable! When planning your fall foliage hike, you will want to make sure you check peak foliage reports. Peak color varies depending on location and elevation, so plan ahead so you don’t miss the best!
The Adirondack Mountains or Catskill Mountains of New York are some of the best places for fall foliage hikes. The White Mountains of New Hampshire are another great option. Acadia National Park offers plenty of family friendly hikes that will take your breath away when the area reaches peak foliage. Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee and North Carolina is another great spot. The options are endless!
Visit a State Park
Visiting a state park is a must do on an October bucket list. While you might not be able to enjoy all the features you would in the summer months, like swimming and camping, the mild weather and fall foliage are well worth it.
In the New England states especially the state parks come to life with an array of reds, oranges, and yellows as the leaves begin to change. State parks give you the chance to go for a family hike or nature walk, visit a waterfall, relax and enjoy a scenic picnic, and watch wildlife in their natural environment.
Some of the best state parks to visit include Letchworth State Park in New York, Franconia Notch State Park in New Hampshire, Camden Hills State Park in Maine, Hocking Hills State Park in Ohio, and Smuggler’s Notch State Park in Vermont.
October Bucket List: Visit a National Park
October can be a great time to visit a national park, with many tending to have milder weather and fewer crowds. Many national parks also see fall foliage peaks, making the already stunning parks even more beautiful (if that’s possible!). So whether it is for the unique fall views or the milder weather temperatures, visiting a national park is an excellent October bucket list item.
Some of the best national parks for fall foliage include Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Shenandoah National Park, and Rocky Mountain National Park. National parks that are good to visit in October for milder weather include Yosemite National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, and Chanel Islands National Park.
Take a Scenic Fall Drive
A scenic fall drive is one of the best ways to experience fall foliage around the country without the effort of hiking. A scenic drive through the countryside, up a mountain, or through small New England towns is a great way to spend a crisp October day.
Some of the best scenic drives in the country include the Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire, the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina and Virginia, Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park, the Million Dollar Highway in Colorado, Park Loop Road in Acadia National Park, and the Columbia River Gorge In Oregon and Washington.
Go On a Fall Scavenger Hunt
Going on a fall scavenger hunt, whether in the backyard, in a state or national park, or on a road trip scavenger hunt is a great addition to any October fall themed trip. Give your kids a list (you can use ours or create your own!) and have them search for common fall items as you hike, drive, or just relax outdoors.
Visit a Waterfall Surrounded By Fall Foliage
Are you a waterfall chaser? Visiting waterfalls any time of year is a great outdoor activity, especially if it involves a hike. In the fall, waterfalls take on a whole new beauty when they’re surrounded by vibrant red, orange, and golden foliage. The cooler temperatures in fall also often make the hike more comfortable and enjoyable.
Visit a Pumpkin Patch
Visiting a pumpkin patch is a classic fall activity that should be on every October bucket list. Enjoy walking through a pumpkin patch as a family and choosing the perfect pumpkins. You will also want to check out the other activities the pumpkin patch may offer, like hayrides, corn mazes, farmers markets, playgrounds, photo opportunities, and tasty fall themed treats.
Visit a Corn Maze
Exploring a corn maze is another classic fall activity that is a must for any October bucket list. Get lost with the kids as you try to find your way out. My daughter always loves being in charge and being able to lead the group. You will likely find a variety of other fall activities too, such as apple picking, pumpkin patches, hayrides, and cider.
October Bucket List: Go For a Hayride
Going for a hayride is one of my daughter’s favorite fall activities. Farms and cider mills often offer hayrides on certain days, so you can enjoy apple picking or a pumpkin patch while enjoying your hayride. Enjoy a relaxing ride while taking in views of colorful leaves and scenery.
***We support tractor pulled hayrides, but we do not support horse drawn hayrides. Only ethical animal experiences are supported by The Navigating Mom.***
Attend a Fall Festival
Fall festivals are abundant in October, whether they be Halloween based or fall/harvest themed. Fall festivals often feature craft stands, vendors, live music, activities, pumpkin decorating, and more. Many mountain resorts host fall festivals, giving you the chance to take in stunning fall foliage views alongside fun and entertainment.
Halloween themed festivals also take place in October and give you the chance to enjoy the holiday season. Some of our favorite Halloween festivals include the Salem Haunted Happenings Festival, the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze in Hudson, NY, and the Night of 1,000 Jack-O-Lanterns in Chicago.
You can also find many theme parks that have Halloween themed events/festivals, such as Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, Legoland’s Brick or Treat, Hershey Park Halloween.
Go on a Spooky Historical Walking Tour
A spooky historical walking tour will give you a different fall experience while being able to dive into some of the history of your destination. These tours combine local history with stories of legends, unusual events, old buildings, and reportedly haunted locations, making them a fun way to learn about the past while getting some chills.
One of our favorite walking tours was the Hocus Pocus tour in Salem. The walking tour takes you to many of the filming locations for the classic Halloween Movie, but also provides some history and details of the area and the horrific Witch Trials that took place there.
Some tours may be better suited for older children, so always be sure to check the recommended ages before booking a tour. You will also want to pay attention to distance, as some of the tours may be longer distances and may be hard for younger children.
Go Apple Picking
An apple picking trip is another classic fall activity to add to your October bucket list. Finding the perfect apples is part of the adventure, and then you can make even more family memories by taking them home and trying out some new (or old) apple based recipes.
Apple picking is another one of those October bucket list items that can be combined with other classic fall activities like pumpkin patches, corn mazes, cider tasting, and hayrides.
Visit a Cider Mill
Visiting a cider mill is one of the best October bucket list items for families. Cider mills host a variety of classic fall activities, from cider tasting to tasty donuts and pastries, to apple picking, corn mazes, hayrides, and pumpkin patches.
Many cider mills give you the opportunity to watch and learn how fresh apple cider is made, from picking the apples, pressing the apples, and bottling the cider.
October Bucket List: Have A Fall Family Picnic
October weather is oftentimes still warm enough to get outdoors and enjoy the sun, making a fall family picnic a great option. Choose a local park, state park, or national park, grab a blanket, bring some of your favorite dishes, and just spend some time together relaxing and making family memories.
Visit a Farmer’s Market
Visiting a farmer’s market, whether it be in your hometown or wherever you are traveling to, is a must for an October bucket list. Produce is fresh, so you can pick up whatever you need for some delicious fall recipes. You can also enjoy strolling through the different vendors and stall set ups and finding some unique items/gifts.
Have a Backyard Campfire & Make S’mores
A cool fall night is perfect for a backyard campfire and s’mores! While you may think of these as summer activities, there is no reason you can’t carry the fun into October. Gather around a warm fire as a family, cook some dinner, and roast some marshmallows.
Go On A Family Bike Ride
A family bike ride is a great way to spend an October day, whether it be riding around your neighborhood or riding through a state or national park. Going for a bike ride will allow you to slow down and take in scenic views that are enhanced by fall foliage. The weather in October tends to be milder, making a bike ride more comfortable.
Rail trails are another good option and are becoming more popular. Rail trail bikes usually have two rider and 4 rider options, so you can bring the whole family. Bike along old railroads, taking in mountain and wooded views, depending on your destination. It is a great way to get up close to the scenery and fall foliage.
Go For a Scenic Gondola Ride
A scenic gondola ride is a great way to see changing fall foliage, expansive mountain views, and enjoy a peaceful ride to the top of the mountain. Many mountain resorts offer gondola rides through the middle to end of October, so you can enjoy views from the top without the long hike (although we think hiking is great too!).
Some of the best options for a fall gondola ride include the Stowe Gondola Skyride in Vermont, the Cloudsplitter Gondola ride to Whiteface Mountain, the Bretton Woods Gondola in New Hampshire, the Telluride Gondola in Colorado, and the Needles Gondola in Snowbasin, Utah.
When taking the gondola rides, make sure you bring a jacket. It tends to be much colder on the summit of the mountain, especially in the fall and winter months.
October Bucket List For Home
Collect Fallen Leaves and Make Leaf Art
Take advantage of the beautiful fall foliage by heading outside to collect a few fallen leaves for a creative family project. Look for leaves in different colors, shapes, and sizes, and encourage kids to find interesting patterns or combinations. You can press the leaves between heavy books before using them, or use them right away to create colorful collages, leaf animals, garlands, or simple nature-inspired artwork.
When collecting leaves, stick to leaves that have already fallen rather than picking them from living plants or trees. You can also make your project more eco-friendly by using recycled paper or cardboard as your canvas.
Carve or Decorate Pumpkins
After spending the day walking through a pumpkin patch and picking the perfect pumpkin, head home to carve or decorate them as a family! Younger children may enjoy painting, adding stickers, or decorating their pumpkins with markers, while older kids can try their hand at carving a favorite Halloween design. You don’t have to create elaborate masterpieces—the goal is to spend time together and let everyone get creative.
Save the pumpkin seeds for roasting and consider composting the pumpkin after Halloween instead of sending it to the landfill. If you want your pumpkins to last longer, painting or decorating them without carving is another great option.
Make Homemade Halloween Decorations
Get creative this Halloween by making your own decorations instead of buying everything from the store. Turn an afternoon into a family craft session and create spooky ghosts, paper bats, painted pumpkins, spiderwebs, garlands, or friendly monsters. Look around your house for materials you can repurpose, such as cardboard boxes, paper bags, toilet paper rolls, jars, fabric scraps, and leftover craft supplies.
October Bucket List: Bake An Apple Pie
Put those freshly picked apples to good use by spending an afternoon baking a homemade apple pie together. Kids can help wash and measure ingredients, mix the filling, sprinkle in the cinnamon, or decorate the top of the pie with a simple crust design. Baking together is a great opportunity to teach children basic kitchen skills while creating something delicious to enjoy as a family.
Make Pumpkin Bread, Muffins, or Pie
Looking for more baking ideas? Try some pumpkin bread, pumpkin muffins, or pumpkin pie! Kids can help measure the ingredients, stir the batter, and add seasonal spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg. Pumpkin muffins are especially fun for little ones because they’re easy to portion out and can be enjoyed for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or even packed for a fall picnic.
Create a Fall Bucket List Jar
Creating a fall Bucket list jar is a fun family activity that will help you make the most of the fall season. Create a list of all the things you want to do, write them on a piece of paper, and put them in the jar. Each day or week choose an activity from the jar to carry out as a family.
Your kids will begin to look forward to choosing an activity as much as they love participating in the activity. The fall bucket list jar will ensure you make the most of October without having to try and come up with something to do on a whim.
Make a Fall Family Scrap Book
A fall family scrapbook is a great activity for families who love doing crafts together. As you go through your October bucket list be sure to take plenty of photos. At the end of the month, you should have a large selection of photos you can use to make a scrapbook.You and the kids will love the process of making the scrapbook together as much as you will love having all of your fall memories in one place.
Have a Family Movie Night With A Halloween/Fall Movie
When the October weather is chilly or rainy, turn an ordinary evening into a cozy family movie night. Let everyone take turns choosing a favorite fall or Halloween movie, make a big bowl of popcorn, and settle in with blankets and pillows. Take your movie night a step further by creating some festive snacks to enjoy during the film. Make popcorn balls, caramel apples, Halloween-themed cookies, or mugs of warm apple cider or hot chocolate.
Read Books Together By The Fireplace
Embrace the cozy side of autumn by gathering the family together for a reading session by the fireplace. Choose a selection of fall, Halloween, nature, or adventure books and take turns reading aloud. Add some blankets, pillows, and warm drinks to create a comfortable little reading nook where everyone can relax.
Make Hot Chocolate
Warm up on a chilly October evening with a family hot chocolate night. Let everyone create their own cup by setting out toppings such as mini marshmallows, whipped cream, chocolate chips, cinnamon, sprinkles, or crushed candy canes. For an extra-fun fall twist, try adding a little pumpkin spice, caramel, or a drizzle of chocolate. Kids can help choose their toppings and decorate their mugs, turning a simple drink into a fun family activity.
October Bucket List: Have a Family Game Night
Put away the screens and spend an evening playing games together as a family. Pull out some old favorites or choose a new board game that everyone can learn together. You can also add an October theme by playing Halloween trivia, creating your own fall-themed bingo game, or having a friendly competition with pumpkin decorating or Halloween charades.
***The Navigating Mom (and this post) may contain affiliate links. If you purchase from one of these links, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.****
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