Fall Bucket List Ideas for the Frugal Family
Celebrate the changing of the seasons with these family friendly fall bucket list ideas. These budget friendly activities cost little to nothing. Make sure to grab your free printable at the bottom of the page so you can keep track of all the fun things you do this autumn!
18 budget friendly fall bucket-list ideas to do with your family!
Go on an Autumn Walk
Explore the neighborhood or take a trek through the woods behind your house and admire all the beautiful colors and scents of the season. We like to kick off the season with this one…taking a walk on the first day of fall.
Decorate for Fall
Whether you’re a maximalist or a minimalist there’s a way to bring a little extra cozy charm to your home this season. I love using natural elements to decorate with…real miniature pumpkins on my table, twigs and leaves brought in from outside. I also have some store-bought items I bring out each year as well. Don’t forget your free printable fall bucket list to put on your fridge! Snag it below!
Try a New Soup Recipe
Fall is a great time for soup and a great time to experiment in the kitchen! Why not try a new soup recipe?
Bake a Pie
Who doesn’t need another excuse to bake a pie? If you’re looking for a savory pie, check out this Chicken Pot Pie…one of my absolute favorites!
Read a Classic Poet or Short Story Author to Candlelight
Fall is an excellent time to revisit classic authors like Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, John Greenleaf Whittier or Edgar Allen Poe. We love to use pure beeswax candles but also enjoy our oil lamp.
Run a 5k
Fall is the start of cozy season and what better way to be cozy than to stay in pajamas all day? Pair that with popcorn, a movie and homemade hot chocolate and it sounds pretty good to me! Make sure to try out this stovetop popcorn…it’s the only thing we make at our house now!
Make a Fall Bouquet
This could be a couple leaves popped into a small vase on your windowsill or you could go all out and gather multiple branches for a mantelpiece garland. The main idea here is to use natural elements to bring a bit of autumn’s beauty into your home.
Pajama Day with Popcorn, a Movie and Homemade Hot Chocolate
Whether you run or walk, fall is the perfect time for a 5k. No more summer heat…just crisp, cool air!
Make Homemade Apple Cider
Make apple cider from scratch or buy some local cider and enjoy a warm cup at home.
Yard Work Day Ending with Soup and a Movie
There’s always plenty of fall cleanup to do in the garden and around the farm for us. However, if you live in an apartment, a great way to bless others would be to volunteer at a nursing home or church to help with fall cleanup. And I always love a good meal and rest after a long day, so I say finishing with soup and a movie is a must!
Go Apple Picking
Find a you-pick farm or visit a friend who has apple trees – I’m sure they’d love the extra help!
Stargaze with a Cozy Blanket
This would be a fun activity to do with the whole family OR a romantic time for just mom and dad after the kids go to bed.
Make Homemade Candles
We’ve done this activity once and it was a bit of work but a lot of fun! Check out this easy tutorial!
Bake a Pumpkin Treat
Pumpkin muffins, pumpkin pie, pumpkin roll, pumpkin EVERYTHING! I’m a big fan of pumpkin and her complementary spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves). Tell me your favorite pumpkin recipe in the comments!
Make a Bonfire and Roast Marshmallows
A quintessential fall activity.
Go Camping
Fall is a great time for camping with it’s cool crisp air.
Host a Gratitude and Pie Party
Each year on the Sunday before Thanksgiving we host a fall gathering where pie and thanksgiving (the verb) are essential. It’s only been a few years so we’re still getting it established, but the idea is to have friends over to eat pie and praise Jesus through singing and thanksgiving.
Hang Leaves in Windows
This is just another way to bring some of fall’s beauty inside!
Go for a Hike
Enjoy the outdoors during this beautiful season with time outside!
Enjoy a Fall Picnic
Grab a blanket and a basket full of snacks on a cool clear day and enjoy the colors and scents of the season.
Bake a Loaf of Bread
If you bake often, use this opportunity to add some variation to your normal loaves. If you don’t bake often, you might start after this…nothing compares to having fresh bread on hand.
In Conclusion
Fall is this really sweet season where it’s wonderful to be outside enjoying the crisp, cool air, but also really nice to be inside cozied up on the couch. I hope this list inspires you to do both! Don’t forget to grab your free printable below!
As always, with love,
Ashlei
