Ultimate Free Adventures in Fall for Families

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Fall is often when people start staying indoors more, avoiding the cooling temperatures. This isn’t necessary, though.

If you prepare appropriately, a fall adventure can be even better than an adventure in summer. In fact, fall adventures are some of my favorite adventures (and free adventures in fall are even better!).

Seeing all the beautiful, bright colors on the trees makes me happy in a way I can’t describe.

Not to mention, the temperatures are often much more agreeable. If you dress correctly, it can be pretty comfortable at any temperature.

Fall also offers a little variety when it comes to adventures. The same old trails start to look different, making them feel new.

When the temperatures get cooler, I struggle to get enough water in. Instead, I like to make herbal tea and put it in my Contigo travel mug. I’m much more likely to drink something warm.

So, you want to get out in the fall, but you’ve spent a lot of money on your summer travels. No problem! There are many free or low-cost things to do in the fall.

Exploring Nature’s Palette: Colorful Leaf Peeping Locations

The beautiful fall colors are one of my favorite things. We’re fortunate to live on the East Coast and get some fantastic colors.

So naturally, going on a forest walk or family-friendly hike brings me more joy than usual this time of year.

The air feels crisp, the bugs are gone, and we’re not getting so sweaty. It’s the perfect mix.

I try to go on as many walks as possible in the fall. It’s also a great learning opportunity for kids.

Teaching them about the lifecycle of nature is easy when you have the proof right in front of you. Doing a fall scavenger hunt can be a great way to notice everything that may change in the fall.

My son also loves identifying all the trees and seeing what color their leaves turn in the fall. We also like to chat about what the different wildlife do to prepare for the colder months ahead.

We will often take a picnic lunch along with us. Slowing down and having a meal surrounded by the beautiful fall colors is a real treat.

My son also likes to look for the biggest fallen leaf during our outings.

And, of course, once the leaves start falling, jumping into a pile of leaves is always a favorite fall activity for kids.

Harvest Fun: Apple Picking and Pumpkin Patches

This activity is, admittedly, not free. However, I’ve included it because it’s not expensive and because you’re getting food for this activity, I tend to take the funds from our grocery budget. So it doesn’t end up costing us anything extra.

Apple picking has been a favorite of my son’s since his first time going. My whole family loves eating apples, and they make great snacks to take on adventures, so this one is a win-win.

When picking apples, we like to talk about how the apple grows. We explain that the tree produces flowers first and that a flower needs pollination before an apple grows.

This often will become a discussion of who the pollinators are and why they’re so important.

Pumpkin patches are also an excellent option this time of year. And you can also use the pumpkins you get for eating. There are many tasty recipes out there that you can use your pumpkins for.

I follow our local farms on social media to be sure not to miss these quintessential autumn activities.

Backyard Adventures: Fall Camping

Backyard camping isn’t just for summer! I’d even argue that the early fall is the best time for this activity.

The bugs are mostly gone, the nighttime temperatures are cooler but not cold, and if you live anywhere with humidity, that’s gone, too.

The days are shorter, so you don’t need to worry about getting your kid to sleep while it’s still daylight. And because it gets dark sooner, even younger kids can get that real campfire experience.

If you’re unable to have a campfire in your yard, a great alternative would be to get a lantern to sit around.

Kids don’t care that you’re in your backyard, either. They love helping set the tent up and getting the sleeping bags rolled out.

And it’s pretty easy for parents as well. If you’ve forgotten something, no problem! You can just run in and get it.

Once it is time for sleep, it feels lovely to snuggle up inside your sleeping bag in the cool, crisp autumn air.

Fall Festivals and Community Events

There are typically free fall festivals and community events that you can take advantage of. There will likely be some things you’d have to pay for, like food, but you can pack some snacks or a lunch to avoid that.

Some things you might find at a fall festival or community event:

• Corn maze
• Kids games
• Hayrides
• Apple picking
• Pumpkin patch
• Treasure hunts
• Free outdoor concerts

Free outdoor concerts are something that our family enjoys. My son is very musical and will spend a lot of time watching people play music.

I find this can often rejuvenate his desire to learn and play the instruments he has at home. It’s great to watch these musicians inspire him.

Wildlife Spotting in Autumn

Wildlife offers such a great learning opportunity for kids. And you don’t even have to go deep into the woods to find them (though you can do that too!).

Often spotted in the early mornings or late afternoons, deer grazing can be a common sight this time of year. They’re putting on body fat so they can survive the winter ahead. They also have special coats with hollow hair that provide extra insulation.

Many birds migrate during this time of year, but some stick around all winter. A quick Google search can help you determine which stay and which go. Then you can go bird watching to see which birds you can find.

Squirrels are everywhere, at least where we live. And these guys are busy in the fall! They’re collecting all the seeds and nuts they can find to get them through the winter. But they don’t hide just any seed or nut—they know which ones to eat right away and which to bury.

If you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of a fox. We’ve seen them both in our backyard and out in the woods. These sightings aren’t common, but they’re memorable! Their fall behavior isn’t much different than other times of the year, but they get a thick fur coat.

It should go without saying, but if you see a wild animal, you must give it plenty of space. No matter how docile an animal seems, they can and will turn aggressive if they feel threatened.

Even deer, who have a very gentle demeanor, can do some real damage if you get too close.

Autumn Night Skies

One of my favorite autumn activities has always been stargazing and watching the sunset. Finding a place to walk or sit with an unobstructed view on a cool, clear evening can be magical.

If you can find a spot away from light pollution, it’s fantastic. But if not, just going out in your backyard or on a balcony can be all you need. Even a public park can be a good option if you have one nearby.

With its cooler weather, the fall season seems to clear the atmosphere, making the stars appear brighter and sunsets more accessible than at any other time of the year.

If you’ve got small children, they’re likely going to bed before the sun goes down in the summer. And the temperatures are a little too chilly in winter and spring. So, fall offers the best time to get little kids out for stargazing.

Snuggling up under a blanket together can be a fun way to look at the night sky.

And there’s so much to learn about when stargazing and watching sunsets. You’ll likely talk about things like the constellations, outer space, the sun and moon, and the cycle of a day or year.

Scenic Drives and Picnics

One of my all-time favorite free family adventures in autumn is going for a scenic drive. I just love looking at the bright foliage as we pass by.

Watching the landscape transform from green to vibrant shades of red, orange, and gold is truly magical.

On these drives, we’re often looking for a good picnic spot. Nothing beats sitting and having lunch or a snack surrounded by a colorful landscape.

If you don’t want to use the gas or don’t have a car, taking a scenic bike ride to find your perfect picnic spot can be a fun alternative.

Bringing seasonal foods for a fall picnic, like apple cider or homemade pumpkin bread, is a fun touch. And it mixes it up from what you’d typically bring on a summer picnic.

A fall picnic also provides a slightly different playground. The kids can gather up a pile of leaves to play in while you relax on the picnic blanket. This one is always a win/win for me.

Last Call for Autumn Adventures

Fall is my favorite season—I find it utterly enchanting. The feeling of being almost wrapped in the bright colors brings such joy.

Fewer people are adventuring outside in the fall, so you’ll often have trails and parks for yourself. I like this because it’s more peaceful. But if you’re feeling self-conscious about getting out, this is a great time to try.

Whether wandering through the fiery glow of fall foliage, basking in the crisp air during nature walks in fall, or delighting in the rustic charm of apple picking and pumpkin patches, each activity is an invitation to connect, learn, and grow.

Still wondering how to get started with adventuring? Check out this post for some ideas!