The Only Fall Must-Do List You Need

Happy September 1st, y’all! I know that it is not officially Autumn yet, and I also know that it is still hot outside (at least where I live) but every year around this time I simply cannot help myself. Fall EVERYTHING is in full bloom in our household and I just had to share some of the things we can’t wait to do this Fall.

I’ve been making a Fall-must do list for a number of years now, and each year it has expanded. I want to celebrate Fall with my children but I also want to celebrate Fall in my rest-time without the kiddos, too. So, I give you, a Fall Must-Do list in 2 parts: A kid’s bucket list and a grownup’s bucket list. I hope that they help you to soak in all that this beautiful season has to offer!

A Fall Must-Do List for the Kids:

Go Apple picking: Picking fresh fruit has become a favorite seasonal activity for our family. I love that you can get outside with the kids and do some experiential learning as they see where their fruit comes from. Not to mention, the snacking along the way is a huge plus! Find a local farm and pick some apples this Fall!

Eat your fill of apple cider donuts: While you’re picking apples, be sure to get some apple cider donuts, and if you can find them fresh (and hot!) even better.

Paint or carve pumpkins: Whether you visit a pumpkin patch or pick up some at your local Trader Joes, decorating a pumpkin feels like a must. My boys are at the age where painting pumpkins and decorating them with stickers is way better than carving so that’s what we’ll do. Perhaps when the kids are in bed, mom and dad can make a date night out of it and do some pumpkin carving.

Go on an acorn hunt (and soak in those Fall colors): Take a long walk as a family and bring a bag with you. As you walk, take note of where the oak trees are, and let your little ones collect acorns. While you’re out, take a moment and appreciate the beautiful Fall colors on the trees!

Decorate for Fall (and use some of that foliage): Whether you have decorations you use every year, or you make a trip of it by going to a local Garden store for pumpkins and mums, make your home festive for Fall. You can even gather some of those acorns from your walk and place them in clear bowls as decor!

Make and eat a Fall treat together: Pick a Fall treat that would be easy to make with your kids, and create it together. Then, of course, savor your creation and have fun eating it with them.

Visit a Fall Festival: Our city is back to having it’s annual Fall Festival and we can’t wait to bring the boys. Craft tables, food trucks, fire engines and live music are some of the things we’re looking forward to at ours this year!

Make a Fall craft: Whether it’s painting with leaves, making a paper plate pumpkin, or doing something else crafty with your little one to commemorate the season, this will be a fun activity to do together.

Play outside in the leaves: Collect or rake a bunch of leaves and then let your little ones have at it! I’m sure even your inner child will come out as you try jumping into a pile of leaves with them.

A Fall Must-Do List for the Grownups:

Make a Fall cocktail: Some of our favorites include this apple cider margarita, this sorghum-cider punch that makes enough for a crowd, or even an apple-cider and la croix mocktail for mama when she’s pregnant.

Light a fall spiced candle and cozy up with a good book: this is as simple and delightful as it sounds. One of my favorite fall candle scents is Spiced Pumpkin from Yankee Candle.

Watch some Spooky TV: Now, to be honest, my threshold for scary is very low. But, whether its the 31 Nights of Halloween on Freeform, Halloween themed Food Network shows, Harry Potter or just some classics like It’s The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown or Casper, these will definitely help get you into the Fall mood.

Host or go to a bonfire: There’s just something about a bonfire and s’mores that says FALL.

Watch some football and eat tailgating food: We usually like to watch at least a little Football every season, and my favorite part is always the food.

Cook or bake something pumpkin: Pumpkin is a staple flavor of Fall. So try something savory like this Pumpkin Apple Soup, or any number of Pumpkin desserts on Pinterest.

Use your crockpot: I love it when dinner simmers for hours at a time, filling the house with delicious scents. Even better when it makes dinner that much easier. Try this crockpot Tikka masala if you’re looking for a yummy recipe to try.

Well friends, there you have it! The only Fall Must-Do List you’ll need, complete for kids and grownups. We’ve got 2 months to soak it in! Happy Fall, y’all!