20 Fun Fall Outdoor Activities to Do With Your Kids to Keep Them Active

Did the summer heat keep you firmly indoors and in the air conditioning?

If so, then you’re in luck! 

As the season changes, it’s the perfect time to head outside with your kids and enjoy the crisp air, milder temperatures, and stunning colors of the season. 

And the cooler weather means that you can have fun—hiking, running, biking, or just playing—without overheating. 

Ready to explore nature with your kids and have family fun? 

Here are some ways you can create memories, bond as a family, and enjoy the brisk autumn air. 

1. Jump in Leaves

Is there anyone happier than a child jumping in leaves? 

Be sure to clear the ground of any twigs, sticks, rocks, or other hard or sharp objects your kid can hurt themselves on. 

Then go ahead and gather all of the leaves into one giant pile. Remember, the bigger the pile, the better for jumping! 

Of course, once the fun is over you’ll have to rake the leaves all over again. Get your kids involved—even the youngest can help—and you’ll have even more outdoor time. 

2. Go for a “Rainbow” Walk

The cooler weather is perfect for exploring Mother Nature, whether it’s in your neighborhood, on walking paths, or in your local parks. 

But, kids can often have a shorter attention span. Keep them engaged by turning your walk into a rainbow walk. 

Point out the different colors, and ask your child to find natural objects in all of the colors of the rainbow. The time will fly by!

3. Plan a Scavenger Hunt

For older kids, a rainbow walk might be too easy. 

Challenge them by creating an outdoor scavenger hunt, with categories suited to their ages and interests. 

• Shapes: something round could be a pebble
• Textures: for example, a stick might be rough
• Letters: A for acorn, B for butterfly, and so on

4. Pick Apples

Apples are in season! 

Whether you eat them fresh, bake them in a pie, or toss them into a harvest salad, apples are a delicious addition to your menu. 

Sure, you could go to the farmer’s market or your local grocery store to get some, but this activity is so much more fun! 

Find an apple orchard near you and take the kids on an apple-picking adventure. Plenty of fresh air, lots of walking, and a delicious treat afterward. 

5. Visit a Corn Maze

A fall classic, corn mazes are fun for the whole family. You’ll be surrounded by nature and, depending on how lost you get, you’ll get in your exercise for the day. 

Plus, you’ll have the chance to work together to figure your way out of the maze. It’s a both a physical and mental workout! 

6. Go to a Harvest Festival

Another fall favorite, harvest festivals or fall festivals are a fun time for the whole family. 

With carnival games, rides, and food trucks, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. 

Your family will have so much fun, you’ll hardly notice how much walking you’re doing. 

7. Ride a Horse

You can go horseback riding any time of the year, but it’s so much more enjoyable after the summer heat breaks—for your family and for the horses. 

Horses are beautiful and powerful; riding one may give your kids a newfound appreciation for connecting with the natural world. Along with being great exercise, it’s also an exhilarating opportunity to explore trails, forests, and other paths. 

8. Star Gaze

Night-time activities are extra exciting for kids, especially if they get to stay up past their bedtime. 

While the star gazing itself may not be particularly active, getting there can be: hiking through the woods or wandering along a quiet beach to find just the right spot. 

And with the shorter days, you don’t even have to wait until late. Depending on the local sunset time, you can start spying on the autumn sky in the early evening. 

9. Visit a National Park

Our national parks are “America’s best idea”, per the famous quote by writer and historian Wallace Stegner. They are the perfect place to get outside, move, have fun as a family, and take in the awe-inspiring splendor of our country.  

Depending on which park you choose to visit, you can enjoy a wide variety of outdoor recreational activities. Hiking, biking, walking, bird watching, and rock climbing are all fun adventures for the family. 

10. Plant Your Spring Bulbs

Fall’s cooler weather makes it the ideal time to lay the groundwork—literally—for your spring garden. 

Many spring bulbs are best planted in the autumn, when evening temperatures hover around 40°–50°F. Depending on where you live, this can be anywhere from early September to late November. 

Gardening is surprisingly physical, burning anywhere from 200 to 400 calories per hour. And the whole family can get involved, with even the youngest children helping to dig holes and pat down dirt. 

It’s also the perfect chance for your kids to learn about flowers and the plant life cycle, plus practice a little patience while they wait for blooms. 

11. Go to a Pumpkin Patch

What says “fall” more than a pumpkin patch? 

Your kids will have a blast roaming around and hunting for their “perfect” pumpkin. And as a bonus, most pumpkin patches have additional fall-themed activities, such as hay rides, corn mazes, petting zoos, and more.

It’s a great way to get the kids outside, moving, and appreciating the beauty of the season.

12. Fish

There’s a lot to love about fishing in the fall: cooler weather, lower humidity, and fewer fishermen vying for space on the water. 

On top of that, fish are actively biting. Maybe it’s because they sense that winter is coming and want to fatten up. Maybe it’s because the baitfish is mostly gone. 

But whatever the reason, fall fishing is an excellent opportunity to head outside with your kids, enjoy the fall scenery, and reel in the catch of the day.

13. Take a Bike Ride

Once the summer heat breaks, it’s time to hop back on the bikes. 

Bike riding is a fun activity for all ages, burning plenty of calories while giving you a chance to explore the outdoors.

E-bikes are another great option. Depending on what settings you choose, e-bikes take some of the work off your legs. This can be especially helpful if you have riders with different skills or abilities, are riding long distances, or are exploring hilly terrain.

14. Plan a Picnic

Enjoy the season’s flavors with an al fresco meal. 

But before you eat, get your kids moving to work up an appetite for that delicious fall picnic!  

• Instead of having a picnic in your yard, explore a local park to find just the right spot.
• Bring a ball or frisbee to play catch.
• For younger kids, bring bubbles that they can chase. 
• Add in one of our other outdoor activities, such as a rainbow walk, while you’re outside. 

Consider going for a walk or other light activity after eating as well, which can help to aid digestion. 

15. View the Fall Foliage

Spending some time enjoying the vibrant reds, oranges, and golds of the changing leaves is a wonderful way to combine physical activity and time outside.

Go for a walk, hike, or bike ride anywhere with falling leaves. You can even research the types of trees in the area beforehand, so you and your kids know just what you’re seeing.

If you don’t have easy access to outdoor spaces, an urban garden is a great alternative.

16. Join a Turkey Trot

Turkey trots are a fantastic way to get the family moving before you sit down for Thanksgiving dinner. 

Turkey trots usually have a distance of 5 kilometers, roughly 3.1 miles. But, depending on your family’s athletic abilities and preferences, you can find longer races, 10k or ½ marathons, or shorter 1-mile “fun runs”. 

And, turkey trots usually give at least part of the proceeds to charity, which makes them a wonderful way to embrace the spirit of Thanksgiving.

17. Play Football

Football is the sport that defines fall. 

Whether it’s flag football with younger kids or a more physical game with older kids, football is a great way to get the whole family outside and moving. Think running, throwing, catching, and celebratory dances after a big touchdown! 

18. Go Camping

Fall is the perfect season for camping, nestled between summer’s heat and humidity and winter’s frosty nights. 

Depending on the campground you choose, you’ll have your choice of outdoor recreation. Some of the fun activities your kids might enjoy are nature walks, hikes, riding mountain bikes, kayaking, fishing, and more. 

Even if all you do is enjoy nature, kids are always on the move, so they’re sure to be active!

19. Take a Night Walk

One of the many wonderful things about the fall season is the early nightfall. 

Not convinced? Just think of all the “nighttime” activities you can do relatively early when the sun sets at 5 PM, and that includes night walks.

Grab your flashlight, head to a safe, populated trail or path that you’re familiar with, and enjoy your evening! 

20. Go Trick-or-Treating

No fall activity list is complete without trick-or-treating. 

This timeless tradition is fun for the whole family, as the kids get to show off their costumes and you get to enjoy watching them dress up as their favorite characters. 

If you’re worried about candy consumption, check your local businesses. Many of them, especially dental offices, will let your kids trade their candy for toys and other non-sugary prizes. 

Safety Tips

Regardless of which activities you and your kids choose, being safe is essential. 

Here are some things you can do to make sure that everyone has fun and stays healthy.

• Let someone else know where you’ll be and what time you’ll be back. 
• Bring water. Even if it’s not as hot as summer, staying hydrated is important. 
• Pack healthy snacks for yourself and your kids. Everyone needs to keep their energy levels up while having outdoor fun! 
• Check the weather and dress appropriately. 
• Bring a first aid kit and pack it with items such as bandages, instant ice, bug repellent, sunscreen, and tweezers (for splinters). 

And, because cold and flu season is right around the corner, make sure your whole family is equipped with a strong, healthy immune system with Ultimate IgG and Immunity Plus, two powerful immune-supporting supplements from Just Thrive. 

Together, they promote your gut health, support a healthy immune system and balanced immune response, and provide your family with potent antibodies, antioxidants, and research-backed immune protectors.

Final Thoughts

Don’t let the cooler weather keep your family indoors! 

There are plenty of fun fall activities that will keep the whole family active and happy. Choose some of your family favorites above, and have a great time with your kids! 

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