Need some ideas to add to your fall bucket list this year? I got you covered! I’m sharing my ultimate fall bucket list and how I plan to enjoy the upcoming fall season.
If you need a little inspiration this fall season, I’m giving you a peek inside my head and sharing all the things I plan to do this fall!
At the beginning of August, I like to sit down with my planner and jot down things I hope to do in the fall season. This includes everything from what I want to bake, read and watch to all the activities I want to do with my family. I always try to add in something new or something we didn’t get a chance to do last year.
I also like to keep it realistic and try to plan things that I can actually accomplish that year. So, you’ll find both indoor and outdoor activities, perfect for all family sizes and budgets.
I’m breaking down how I plan my fall bucket list and sharing my exact plans for fall 2024. I hope you’ll be able to add a few things to your bucket list and make new traditions with your loved ones!
I also made a free Fall Bucket List Planner that you can download and print out to help you organize all your activities this season.
How to Plan a Fall Bucket List 2024
I have a method to my seasonal planning and like I said I like to be realistic. So here’s my exact thought process for planning my fall bucket list.
What activities are my top priorities?
It’s so easy to get overwhelmed by those “100 things to do this fall” Pinterest printables and I too fall into the rabbit hole. But I’ve learned over the years that it just isn’t practical for my family.
So, what I do is choose activities that are achievable and non-negotiable for me. Those activities include:
- Yearly Traditions: These are the things I do every year with my family and at this point, everyone expects.
- Something New: I try to incorporate at least 1 new thing into our list.
- Bonus Activities: This might include a little self-care (for mama), splurging a bit or quality time with the hubby.
What activities can I fit into my budget and schedule?
With my little growing family, it isn’t really feasible to go out every weekend or on a random weekday. And honestly, sometimes we just don’t have the cash to dish out.
Anything I can do for little to no money and in the comfort of my home is ideal.
Who do I want to enjoy these activities with?
This might be an obvious answer, but I just want to make sure I don’t leave out specific fall activities.
I of course plan to spend my time with my family, but I also want to carve out time for just the hubby and I. And then I have to keep in mind my parents (aka the grandparents) because they love spending these cozy seasons with their grandkids and then we can’t forget about close friends.
Therefore, I try to include a few activities that can cater to everyone I want to enjoy fall with.
What is my ideal time frame to celebrate?
Choosing a time frame that works for me keeps me from trying to keep up with the world of social media.
Like I mentioned earlier, I start roughly planning and gathering ideas around August. I fine-tune the activities and schedule late September. Then at the beginning of October to middle November is when these activities normally start taking place.
With all that being said, here is a list of fun fall activities I plan to do and hope that you too can add some of these to your bucket list and enjoy with your loved ones!
30 Fall Bucket List Ideas
Activities
1. Go to the Pumpkin Patch
The best part of fall is visiting the pumpkin patch, in my opinion! Most pumpkin patches are free and you can even do your own fall photoshoot to capture the memories.
2. Carve or Paint a Pumpkin
It wouldn’t be fall without pumpkins! While I personally love carving pumpkins into fun shapes, its not ideal for younger children. I suggest getting some cheap dollar store paint and brushes and letting the littles have fun painting their pumpkins! Plus they’ll last a lot longer and you can make them match your decor.
3. Host a [Small] Fall Party
You don’t have to go all out. It could just be you and your little family. Plan a small menu, play a few seasonal games, and have some good music or fall movies playing!
Last year it was just my hubby, daughter, and I. Our menu was wings and mozzarella sticks, a fruit tray, and a few themed desserts. We painted pumpkins and had some Halloween coloring pages and that was it! My daughter loved it.
4. Build a Fort & Watch a Movie
Get those fuzzy throws, pillows, and string lights. Gather the chairs, cushions, and couch and build a fort. Pop some popcorn, make hot chocolate and pop on your favorite fall or Halloween movie. A priceless memory that your kiddos (and even you) will love!
5. Attend a [Free] Fall Festival
There are so many local festivals that happen in the fall. Do a quick Google search and find something that you have time to do. These festivals normally have live music and fun activities for both adults and children. Start looking now and add a festival or 2 to your list!
6. Celebrate Thanksgiving
Of course, we can’t forget about Thanksgiving. You may not count this as a fall tradition because it goes without saying. But you can make it even more memorable by having your children write a list of what they’re grateful for, sign, and date it. Then each year, the day before Thanksgiving, you all can look back on those things!
7. Decorate for Fall
Whether you decorate every room in your home or just one space, adding a little splash of fall will give you all the cozy feelings!
8. Make S’mores
Who doesn’t like a good s’more?! You can use your firepit or get creative and use sternos. Make a board of fun marshmallows and different kinds of chocolate so that everyone can have fun making their own. Turn it into a s’more making contest and see who can come up with the best s’more!
9. Have a Backyard Fall Picnic
Grab a giant throw and make a few themed snacks, then head out back or to your favorite park for a fun fall picnic.
10. Make Boo Baskets
Boo baskets are a fun tradition that became popular on social media a few years ago. But don’t feel pressured to buy all the things. You can get everything you need for cheap at places like the dollar store or the bullseye section at Target.
Here’s what I like to put in our baskets: a book, shoes, an outfit, accessories (bows, bracelets, sunglasses, etc), an activity or toy (coloring book, fidgets, cars, etc) and a few treats.
11. Have a Game Night in Festive Pajamas
Get fun matching fall pjs for the family and break out all your favorite board games before bed!
12. Create a Fall Theme Sensory Activity [For Babies & Toddlers]
Sensory bins are fun activities for your littles to explore and learn! They can be as simple or extra as you’d like.
Something simple could be filling a bucket with soap, mini pumpkins, and brushes and having a pumpkin-washing activity. If you want to be more creative, you can make a hot cocoa bin and fill it with cocoa cereal, marshmallows, cups and more, plus its edible!
The possibilities are endless, so do a Pinterest search and find something your littles would love!
Recipes
1. Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bread
2. Apple Cider Donuts
3. Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls
4. Apple Fritters
5. Homemade Chili
6. Homemade Pumpkin Chai Latte
Books & Movies
1. Clue (1985)
2. Knives Out
3. Haunted Mansion
4. Hotel Transylvania Series
5. Matilda
6. The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose
7. Arsenic & Adobo by Mia P. Manansala
Bonus Activities
1. Buy Fall Candles and/or Scents
Fall scented candles are perfect and easy way for getting in the cozy mood. Purchase some new scents for your home!
2. Take a Festive Bath
Nothing says self-care like a nice bath (or shower, if you prefer). Light those fall candles, turn off the lights, get a good bubble bath going, grab your fall body scents and just relax!
3. Visit a Farmer’s Market
If you’ve never attended a Farmer’s Market, now would be the time to do so! Shop locally grown and made produce, foods, desserts, accessories, crafts and so much more!
4. Plan a Weekend Staycation
If you have the time and money, plan a cute staycation for you and hubby or you and your friends or just you. Look for a nice cabin or hotel that’s local to your city or town. During your staycation, eat those comfort foods, read all the mystery books, watch all the cozy movies! The goal is to get away from the house for a few days.
5. End of Season Décor Shopping
The best time to get all your decor is after the season! Everything is heavily discounted and people like to return their items. This is how you slowly, but surely, build up your home decor collection over time.
And there you have it! My realistic fall bucket list 2024! Make sure you let me know your fall plans and traditions in the comments and don’t forget to grab your FREE Fall Bucket List Planner!
Also, make sure you join the club and subscribe to our email list. I will be sharing recipes for some of those fall desserts I mentioned above and don’t want you to miss out!
Ok, until next time!
xoxo, ave
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