41 Favorite Fall Activities To Plan Once Autumn Arrives
Add these ideas to your bucket list, stat!
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It’s that time again! The weather has cooled, school has begun, and the first day of Fall 2022 is just around the corner. You’ve traded shorts and tops for chunky sweaters and closed-toe boots, and you find yourself Googling “fall activities near me” in search of ways to make the most of the season in your area. Well, when it comes to things to do in the fall, we’ve got you one hundred percent covered. Head right this way for your ultimate fall bucket list!
What makes a list of the best fall activities you ask? Outdoorsy things, like apple picking and corn mazes to be certain, as well as more far-flung adventures, such as antiquing adventures in quaint small towns. Our favorite fall activities for families and adults include easy-to-make fall crafts and more than one cocktail (you’re welcome!), while favorite things to do in the fall for kids include eating apple cider donuts and other simple pleasures such as jumping into a pile of leaves.
If cooking is your thing, let’s not forget about spending copious amounts of time in the kitchen! Our favorite easy fall recipes include everything from hearty salads to delectable soups and stew, and there’s plenty of pumpkin pie recipes and pumpkin bread recipes to go around. Fire up the oven and get to work!
No matter what your ideal autumn season may look like, you're sure to find something you'll enjoy on fun-filled list of the best fall activities for 2022.
Visit a Small Town
Road trip to see the changing leaves in a small town you've never explored before! Two of our favorite destinations for the season? Sperryville, Virginia and Lambertville, New Jersey.
RELATED: 50 Best Leaf Peeping Small Towns Across the Country
Play Tree Slab Tic-Tac-Toe
Ditch your devices the text time you head on a family camping trip and focus on the fun to be had in the world around you with this kid-friendly craft.
To Make: Pick up a round wood slab and four leather strips. On the slab, form a grid (pictured at left) with the strips and secure each end with an upholstery tack. Once in the woods, gather two five-piece groupings of found objects such as small rocks and pine cones to use as game pieces.
Rethink the Salad
Leafy greens aren't the only way to eat your veggies! This perfect fall salad subs in hearty radicchio, and the pears and gorgonzola cheese are the perfect add-ons.
Cozy Up with a Good Book
The perfect definition of "me" time is a cozy nook, a warm cup of tea, and a book you can't put down. In search of new reading material? Here are 33 Must-Have Books by Black Authors for 2022.
Create a Simple Fall Centerpiece
Stack vintage aluminum colanders to create a picture-perfect kitchen display.
To make: Cut pieces of floral foam to fit in the bottom and middle colanders. Push colanders into foam to help them stay in place. Place pumpkins around the bottom and middle colanders and completely fill the top colander. Add bittersweet sprigs throughout.
Go Antiquing
Fall is the time to cozy up your home with soulful pieces from decades past. Our guide to the 50 best small towns for antiques will help you figure out where to head.
Head to a Country Store
Whether you're in the market for hand-woven baskets or preserved-on-site jams and jellies, we challenge you to step away from Amazon Prime and shop a charming country store instead.
Decorate Your Porch with Fall Flair
Let your neighbors know how excited you are for the season with a front porch curb appeal using all the festive fall decor—pumpkins, mums, a pretty fall wreath, and vintage finds. It will make the perfect backdrop for your family Instagram photos.
Host a Potluck
Invite friends to bring their favorite fall dishes for a casual get-together to celebrate any ol' occasion—or for no reason at all!
Spruce Up Your Tablescape with Plaid
Layer a variety of plaid fabrics and accessories on top of your farmhouse table for the perfect backdrop to your casual family dinners all season long.
Take Family Movie Night Outside
Put those extra blankets stuffed in your linen closet to good use. Hang a large white bed sheet from your fence to re-create a big screen. Make a palette on the ground with all the extra fluff, and settle in under the stars as you and your family watch these classic kids movies.
Take up Cross Stitch
Find inspiration in the monthly cross-stitch patterns that appear in Country Living and download our free templates for a year's worth of inspiration.
Update Your Wardrobe
Spiff up your fall fashion with a cute new outfit. Take this as an opportunity to clean out and organize your closet. Drop off items you haven't worn in a year to a local donation spot.
Jump in a Huge Pile of Leaves
The best way to make raking leaves less of a chore is to promise your kids a chance to dive right into the biggest pile in the yard (after which you'll need all hands on deck to pack them up into trash bags!).
Try a New Cocktail
Toast a new season with a fresh fall cocktail. We love this Grapefruit, Honey, and Rosemary Smash for its refreshing, yet rich, flavor.
Mix Up a Seasonal Apple Recipe
Love apple pie, but looking for something a little more outside-the-box to wow your family with this year? These pie-spiced apple fritters pack the same (albeit even sweeter) flavor and only take 30 minutes to make. Read: Apple pie has officially met its dessert match.
Make an Autumn Arrangement
Whether you have time to decorate every room in your home, or simply want to add a small festive touch to your dining room table, celebrate the rich fall florals with a creative fall centerpiece.
Plan a Backyard Dinner
Dine al fresco with your family when the crisp, fall air ushers in. Cover each chair with a plaid blanket to wrap up in after the sun sets, then set the mood with cozy candles and a hearty feast. Good for you if you have a red-barn backdrop!
Craft Your DIY Halloween Costume
There are so many cute and clever DIY Halloween costume ideas out there for women, kids, families, and more. Want to make friends laugh with your costume this year? You'll love these funny options.
DIY an Outdoor Fall Festival
Set up your own fall festival at home for a fun-filled weekend extravaganza, complete with a gourd ring toss, pumpkin knock-down game, and fun prizes for all.
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