Fall is the perfect time to take a break from screens and soak up all the cozy, colorful fun the season has to offer. Between the crisp air, golden leaves, and pumpkin-spiced everything, it’s easier than ever to keep your kids entertained—no tablets or TVs required!
20 Screen-Free Fall Activities for Kids
Whether you’re looking for after-school ideas, weekend adventures, or simple indoor fun, these screen-free fall activities for kids are sure to make this season extra special. Bonus: they’re mom-approved, budget-friendly, and packed with family memories waiting to happen!
1. Go on a Fall Scavenger Hunt
Create a simple list of fall-themed items for your kids to find—like a red leaf, acorn, pinecone, or scarecrow. Head to a nearby park or just explore your own backyard. It’s a great way to get kids moving and observing nature.
2. Visit a Pumpkin Patch
There’s nothing quite like a trip to a pumpkin patch to celebrate fall. Let your kids pick out their own pumpkins, take a hayride, and snap a few family photos. When you get home, carve or paint your pumpkins together for a creative twist.
3. Bake Fall Treats Together
Get your kids involved in the kitchen! Bake pumpkin muffins, apple crisp, or leaf-shaped sugar cookies. Kids love helping with measuring, stirring, and, of course, taste-testing!
4. Make Leaf Art
Grab a pile of freshly fallen leaves and turn them into art! Try leaf rubbings with crayons, make leaf collages, or even paint leaves and use them as nature stamps.
5. Go Apple Picking
Nothing says fall like apple picking at a local orchard. Let your kids fill their own baskets, then come home and make applesauce, caramel apples, or an apple pie together.
6. Build a Backyard Obstacle Course
Use what you have around the house—hula hoops, cones, or jump ropes—to create a fun fall-themed obstacle course. Add in jumping over “pumpkin patches” (pillows) or crawling through “corn mazes” (cardboard boxes).
7. Have a Fall Picnic
Pack some sandwiches, apple cider, and a cozy blanket. Head to your backyard, a park, or even your living room floor for a sweet fall picnic. Encourage everyone to share what they love most about autumn.
8. Go on a Nature Walk
Take a walk around your neighborhood or a local trail. Collect leaves, sticks, and rocks. When you return home, have your kids display their finds on a “nature table” or use them for crafts.
9. Make Homemade Bird Feeders
Mix peanut butter, birdseed, and pinecones to create bird feeders. Hang them outside and watch the birds flock to your backyard. It’s a fun way for kids to connect with nature.
10. Host a Family Game Night
Break out your favorite board games or card games for a cozy night in. Add some hot cocoa, snacks, and maybe even a little friendly competition.
11. Create a Fall Bucket List
Sit down as a family and write a list of everything you want to do this fall—like jumping in leaf piles, making s’mores, or visiting a corn maze. Cross things off together as you go!
12. Paint Pumpkins Instead of Carving
If you have younger kids, painting pumpkins is a great mess-free alternative to carving. Use acrylic paint, stickers, or even glitter to create silly or spooky designs.
13. Make a Thankful Tree
Cut out paper leaves and have each family member write something they’re thankful for on each one. Tape them to a paper tree or hang them on a branch for a heartwarming fall decoration.
14. Build a Leaf Pile (and Jump In!)
Simple but classic—rake up the leaves, then let your kids dive right in! It’s a great way to get them outside and active while enjoying some fall fun.
15. Visit a Local Farm or Corn Maze
Support local farms by taking your kids to explore a corn maze, go on a hayride, or pet farm animals. These activities are not only fun but also help kids learn about nature and agriculture.
16. Make Fall Playdough
Whip up a batch of homemade playdough scented with cinnamon or pumpkin spice. Kids will love molding pumpkins, leaves, and acorns out of their new fall-scented dough.
17. Go on a “Color Hunt”
Challenge your kids to find as many different fall colors as they can—orange leaves, yellow mums, brown acorns, red apples. You can even turn it into a friendly competition!
18. Do a Fall Science Experiment
Mix learning with fun! Try dissolving candy corn in different liquids or exploring how leaves change color with a simple chromatography experiment.
19. Decorate the Porch Together
Have your kids help decorate the front porch with pumpkins, mums, scarecrows, or a DIY wreath. Let them take pride in helping make your home look festive.
20. Have a Family Campfire Night
Light up the fire pit, roast marshmallows, and tell stories under the stars. Don’t forget cozy blankets and maybe a cup of warm apple cider to finish the night!
When it comes to screen-free fall activities for kids, the options are endless. The key is creating moments that bring your family closer, spark creativity, and let your kids experience the magic of the season—no devices needed.
So grab those sweaters, pour some cider, and dive into all the cozy, colorful, screen-free fun that fall has to offer!
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