39 Frugal Fall Fun Activities For The Family (Free Printables)
This post may contain affiliate links which might earn us money. Please read my Disclosure and Privacy policies here
The leaves are starting to change color, the weather is getting a little cooler, and pumpkin spice everything is popping up everywhere. That can only mean one thing: it's officially Fall! One of the best things about Fall is the fun activities you can do with your family.
From picking apples and making cider to going on hayrides and carving pumpkins, there's something for everyone. Read on for our list of the best frugal Fall fun activities for families.
Americans continue to spend money on entertainment, so much so that in 2021, it increased by 22.7 percent, compared to 5.9 in 2020.
With everything going on in 2022, we must continue enjoying fun and creating memories while staying under budget.
Frugal Fun Budget For A Family
Below is an example of a frugal fall fun budget for a family budget.
| Activity | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Pumpkin Picking and Carving | $30 |
| Homemade Apple Cider Making | $20 |
| Leaf Art Crafting | $10 |
| Backyard Camping | Free (assuming you already have the camping gear) |
| Family Scavenger Hunt | Free |
These costs are only estimates and can vary depending on your location, the size of your family, and whether or not you already have some of the necessary supplies. For instance, backyard camping is listed as free, assuming you already own camping gear. If not, this cost will increase.
Remember, the key to having frugal fun is creativity. You can always find ways to cut costs without cutting the fun!
Why is Fall the best for frugal activities?
There are a few reasons why Fall is the best season for frugal activities. The weather is usually nice enough to be outside without being too hot or cold. This means you can take advantage of all available free outdoor activities.
Additionally, many fruits and vegetables are in season during Fall, so that you can take advantage of fresh, local produce. And finally, Fall is the perfect time to start preparing for the holiday season so that you can get a jump on gift-giving and budgeting.
What are some frugal Fall activities for families?
There are countless frugal Fall activities for families, but we've compiled a list of our favorites.
Have a bonfire with S'Mores
A fun fall activity is having a bonfire in your backyard and making S'mores. This is a fun activity for the whole family that doesn't cost much money. All you need is some wood for the fire, graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows. You can find all of these items at your local grocery store.
Need a fire pit? Check out this fire pit.
Watch The Leaves Fall at The Park.
One of the best things about Fall is the changing leaves. Head to your local park and stroll while enjoying all the different colors. This is a free activity that the whole family can enjoy.
You might enjoy these posts:
Carve A Pumpkin.
Carving a pumpkin is a Fall tradition for many families. You can buy a pumpkin at your local grocery store or farmer's market. Then, use a carving kit to carve out a design. This is a fun activity for the whole family.
Have A Sack Race.
A sack race is a fun, competitive activity for the whole family. All you need is a few old pillowcases or sacks. Then, line up and race to the finish line. This is a great activity to do outside in the Fall weather.
Roast Pumpkin Seeds.
After you carve your pumpkin, don't throw out the seeds. Roast them instead! This is a fun and easy activity that the whole family can enjoy. First, clean the seeds and remove any pumpkin guts. Then, toss them in olive oil and salt. Spread them on a baking sheet and roast at 350 degrees for about 10 to 15 minutes. Enjoy them as a snack or use them to top salads or other dishes.
Make Caramel Apples.
One of the best things about Fall is all the fresh apples. Take advantage of this by making caramel apples. This is a fun activity for the whole family, and you will need apples, caramel, and toppings of your choice.
First, wash the apples and remove the stems. Then, melt the caramel in a pot on the stove. Dip each apple in the caramel and then roll it in the toppings. Let them cool and enjoy!
Visit A Haunted House.
If you're looking for a fun and scary activity, visit a local haunted house. This is an excellent activity for older kids and adults. Check your local listings for haunted houses in your area.
Take Fall Family Pictures.
Fall is the perfect time to take family pictures. The leaves are changing colors, and the weather is cool but not too cold. This makes for beautiful photos. You can either take your own pictures or hire a professional photographer. Either way, this is a great way to capture family memories.
Collect Acorns.
Acorns are a great way to decorate your home for Fall. They also make great crafts. Collect acorns on a nature walk and then use them to decorate your home or make crafts.
Check out Acorn Crafts for the Best Fall Ever to get inspired!
Attend A High School Football Game.
High school football is a big deal in many communities. Attend a local game and support your team. This is a great activity for the whole family. You can buy tickets at the gate or online.
Go On A Hike.
Hiking is a great way to get outside and enjoy the Fall weather. It's also a great workout. There are many hiking trails in communities across the country. Find one near you and go for a hike!
Make A Pumpkin Pie.
Making a pumpkin pie is a great way to use up fresh pumpkins. This is a fun activity for the whole family. You will need a pumpkin, pie crust, and all the usual pie ingredients.
First, cut the pumpkin in half and remove the seeds. Then, place it face down on a baking sheet and roast it at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes. Once it's cooled, scoop out the flesh and put it in a blender. Blend until it's smooth.
Next, mix the pumpkin puree with the rest of the ingredients. Pour it into the pie crust and bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes. Then, reduce the temperature to 350 degrees and bake for 45 minutes. Let it cool and enjoy
Watch The Sunset.
One of the best things about Fall is the beautiful sunsets. Take advantage of this by watching the sunset with your family. This is a great activity to do after a busy day. Find a spot where you can see the sunset and enjoy the beauty of nature.
Make Thankful Turkeys.
This is a fun, frugal fall activity to do with kids. It's also a great way to teach them about being thankful. You will need construction paper, markers, scissors, and glue.
First, have the kids trace their hands on the construction paper. Then, they can cut out the handprints and use them to make turkeys. Next, they can decorate the turkeys however they want. Once they're done, write something your family is thankful for on each turkey. This is a great way to start a conversation about gratitude.
Go Apple Picking.
You can find local farms that offer apple picking. This is a great way to get outside and enjoy the Fall weather. It's also a great way to get fresh apples for baking.
Make Applesauce.
Making applesauce is also a great way to use up fresh apples. You will need apples, sugar, cinnamon, and water.
First, wash the apples and remove the stems. Then, cut them into small pieces. Place the apple pieces in a saucepan with the sugar, cinnamon, and water. Cook over medium heat until the apples are soft. Then, use a spoon to mash them. You can add more sugar or cinnamon to taste. Let it cool and enjoy.
Explore A Corn Maze.
Corn mazes are a great way to have fun with the whole family. They're also a great way to get outside and enjoy the Fall weather. You can find corn mazes at local farms, which usually have different themes. Some are even haunted!
Pick A Pumpkin From The Pumpkin Patch.
Visit a local farm and find pumpkin patches this Fall. This is a great way to get outside and enjoy the Fall weather. It's also a great way to get fresh pumpkins for carving or baking.
Go On A Fall Scavenger Hunt.
First, you can find lists of Fall-themed items online. Then, see who can find the most items on the list. This is a great way to get outside and enjoy the Fall weather.
Find free Fall Scavenger Hunt printables here!
Have A Bonfire.
You can roast marshmallows, make s'mores, and enjoy the Fall weather. You will need wood, matches, and a fire pit.
First, build a fire in the fire pit. Then, let it burn for a while. Once the flames have died, you can add wood to keep them going. When it's time to roast marshmallows, make sure the flames are not too high. Hold the marshmallow on a stick and roast it over the fire. Once it's brown, you can put it between two graham crackers with a piece of chocolate. Enjoy!
Make Apple Cider.
To make apple cider, you will need apples, sugar, water, cinnamon sticks, and nutmeg.
First, wash the apples and remove the stems. Then, cut them into small pieces. Place the apple pieces in a saucepan with the sugar, water, cinnamon sticks, and nutmeg. Cook over medium heat until the apples are soft. Then, use a spoon to mash them. You can add more sugar to taste. Let it cool and enjoy.
Make Your Own Halloween Costumes.
You can be creative and make your own costumes. You can also find tutorials online. This is a great way to save money on costumes.
Please read: 4 Thrifty Costume Ideas For Halloween
Go Tailgating.
Go tailgate at local sporting events or concerts. This is a great way to enjoy the Fall weather. You will need food, drinks, and games.
First, choose your food and drinks. Then, set up a table or cooler. Make sure you have enough ice to keep the drinks cold. Set up chairs and a speaker so you can listen to music. You can also bring games to play. Have fun!
Have A Scary Movie Watch Party.
Scare your friends with a scary movie-watch party. You will need a TV, a movie, snacks, and drinks.
First, choose a scary movie. Then, set up the TV and DVD player. Next, make sure you have enough snacks and drinks for everyone. Finally, turn off all the lights and enjoy the movie. Be prepared to scream!
Make Fall Crafts.
Another frugal fall fun activity is that you can find Fall-themed craft ideas online. Creating crafts with your family is a great way to get creative and have fun.
Please check out 19 KID-FRIENDLY FALL CRAFTS!
Go Birdwatching.
You can find a birdwatching guide online. This is a great way to get outside and enjoy the Fall weather. You will need binoculars and a bird-watching book.
First, find a place to watch birds. Then, use your binoculars to look for birds. Once you see one, try to identify it. You can use your bird book to help you.
Have A Football Party.
You can invite your friends over to watch the football games, which is a great way to enjoy the Fall weather. But, of course, you will need food, drinks, and a TV.
First, choose your food and drinks. Then, set up the TV. Make sure you have enough food and drinks for everyone. Enjoy the game!
Jump In A Pile Of Leaves.
This is a great activity for the whole family. You can find a pile of leaves and jump in them. This is a great way to get outside and enjoy the Fall weather.
Go On A Hayride.
You can find a hayride at a local farm. So search locally, head over, enjoy the fall weather, and have fun!
Ride Bikes.
Riding a bike during this season is absolutely worth it. So you and your family can enjoy the season change and what autumn offers outdoors.
Make Chili.
Your family can make chili together; you will need ingredients such as beef, beans, tomatoes, and chili powder.
First, brown the beef in a pot. Then, add the beans, tomatoes, and chili powder. Stir and let it simmer. You can add water if it gets too thick. Let it cool and enjoy.
Do A Fall Soup Swap.
How this work is you can make soup together and then swap it with another family. You will need soup ingredients, such as potatoes, carrots, celery, and chicken broth.
Make A Scarecrow.
You can make a scarecrow together. How do you make a scarecrow?
First, you will need a few materials: old clothes, straw, a pumpkin, and other things.
Put the scarecrow together by stuffing the clothes with straw. Then, put the pumpkin head on. Add any other details, such as a scarf or hat. Place the scarecrow in your yard and enjoy.
Collect Pine Cones.
This is a fantastic activity for the whole family to do together. You may gather pine cones as a group. This is an excellent time to spend outside during the fall season. Make a Fall wreath or garland from the pine cones using this easy method.
Make A Bird Feeder.
Fall is a great time to get outside and explore. One way you can do this is by making your own bird feeder! All you need are a few materials, such as a pine cone, peanut butter, birdseed, and string.
To make the feeder, first spread peanut butter on the pine cone. Then, roll it in birdseed. Finally, tie a string around it and hang it up!
Bob For Apples.
A fun apple-themed activity to do together outside is bobbing for apples. All you need are some apples, water, and a tub. Fill the tub with water and apples, then take turns trying to bite into an apple— Whoever bites into the most apples wins!
Learn To Knit Or Crochet.
Another frugal, fun fall activity is to learn to knit or crochet. You can make all sorts of things once you know how, like hats, scarves, and blankets. You only need some yarn and needles (or a crochet hook). You can find tutorials online or in books to help you get started once you know how to make all sorts of things for yourself or give them as gifts.
Collect Unique Leaves.
While outdoors, why not collect unique leaves? You can use them to make crafts or to admire. Leaves come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and colors. You can find them all over the ground when you take a walk.
Start Preparing For Christmas.
Take the time this Fall and start preparing for Christmas. You can make homemade gifts, create a list of people you need to buy for and begin brainstorming gift ideas. This way, you will be ahead of the game and less stressed when December rolls around. Christmas is a fun time of year, so prepare for it with some fall prep work!
Create A Winter Bucket List.
Create a winter bucket list of all the fun things you want to do once the snow starts falling. That way, you will have a plan and be excited for when the cold weather comes. Some ideas for your list could be: build a snowman, make a snow fort, go sledding, or have a snowball fight.
Free Frugal Fall Fun Activities and Planner Sheets
Fill out the form below and get access to my Frugal Fall Fun Activities and Planner sheets—three sheets to help you plan your next frugal, fun fall adventure with your family.
Now that you know some fun fall activities to do as a family get out there and enjoy the Fall weather. There are so many great things to do.
You are sure to find something that everyone in the family will enjoy. Fall is a great time to spend with the people you love. So get out there and make some memories.
