Whether you’re in the mood for a spooky adventure or simple pleasures, we’re sharing a list of 25 fall activities that appeal to all ages. So grab your coziest sweater, gather the family, and make the most of autumn together.
1. Browse a Farmer’s Market: From colorful produce to hearty baked goods and local crafts, farmer’s markets are buzzing with something for everyone in your family. Check out the Old Greenwich Farmer’s Market on Wednesdays and the Greenwich Farmer’s Market on Saturdays.
2. Go Leaf Peeping: Take a walk to admire the season’s most vibrant colors.
3. Embrace Fall Flavors: We love this simple and healthy recipe for Maple Pumpkin Pecan Muffins from Kathleen Ashmore.
4. Attend Your Local High School’s Football Game: Cheer on the home Greenwich High School team under Friday night lights. Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose.
5. Pick Produce: Fill your bag with apples, pumpkins, sunflowers, and more. No one will tell if you let the kids sneak in some heathy bites along the way. Check our our apple picking guide!
6. Build a Backyard Bonfire: S’mores and spooky stories required!
7. Have a Cozy Rainy Reading Day: Curl up together under your biggest blanket and let the rain be an afternoon soundtrack for a shared reading adventure. Or take a trip with your kids to Greenwich Library, Perrot Memorial Library, Cos Cob Library or Byram Library!
8. Take a Hay Ride at Sam Bridge! Hay rides available 9/27 – 10/26 at Sam Bridge Nursery and Greenhouses.
9. Take a Hike: Lace up your boots, inhale the brisk air, and discover nature’s wonders together. Go for a hike in Babcock Preserve, Montgomery Pinetum, or Pomerance Park.
10. Perfect a Cozy Drink Recipe: From golden lattes to hot cocoa and apple cider, there’s a mug-worthy drink for everyone. Try this Slow Cooker Pumpkin Spice Latte for larger groups.
11. Get Lost in a Corn Maze: Find your way through twisting paths and puzzle solving, all while tiring out the kids.
12. Host a Football Sunday: This is your reason to invite your friends and their kids over for some tasty food and drinks.
13. Rake Leaves and Jump in Them: Making chores fun? It’s a win-win for everyone!
14. Rent a Cabin in the Woods: Invite another family to spend a cozy weekend in the mountains or lakeside for frosty mornings and fireside evenings.
15. Have a Halloween Movie Night: ‘Tis the season for scary movies! Choose your favorite from our list of 25 Halloween Movies to Watch in October.
16. Visit a Haunted House: A childhood rite of passage, watch your kids squeal with delight (ok, and a little fear!) as they brave spooky surprises.
17. Volunteer at a Community Kitchen: In the spirit of giving, spend an afternoon volunteering at a local shelter or pantry. If bringing the kids isn’t an option, include them as you sort through clothes, toys, non-perishables and other items to donate to those in need.
18. Throw a Chili Cookoff: Invite your friends to make and bring their favorite chili recipe. Do a taste test, cast votes and award a fun prize to the winner.
19. Run (or Walk!) a Fall 5K: Lace up your sneakers and get everyone outside. If participating isn’t for you, have the kids make creative signs and cheer on runners at a nearby race. Join the Walk the Walk & 5K Run Against Domestic Violence or the 19th Annual Walk/Run for Abilis.
20. Carve Jack-o-Lanterns: Save the pumpkin seeds and roast them with different spices for a healthy fall snack.
21. Repurpose Halloween Candy: Set aside extra Halloween candy to make these creative cookies from the Habitual Hostess.
22. Go Camping: It doesn’t need to be extreme, your own backyard works, too! Set up a tent, unroll your sleeping bags and snuggle up for a night under the stars.
23. Create a Gratitude Jar: Every day for a month, have each person in your family write down something they’re grateful for on a small slip of paper and add it to the jar. Choose one piece of paper to read aloud at dinner, or when someone is feeling down.
24. Organize a Game of Touch Football: Remember that episode of Friends when Monica and Ross get a little too competitive? Grab your neighbors, get a game going, and bask in the 90’s nostalgia.
25. Vote! Do your research, educate yourself and the fam, and make election day an empowering, teachable moment.
More inspiration from the Local Moms Network:
