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Budget-Friendly Fall Activities

Fun Fall Activities on a Budget

Fall is in the air bringing crisp mornings and cozy nights, perfect for enjoying time with family and friends. If you’re looking to relish in the season without breaking the bank, here are some budget-friendly ways to enjoy fall for all ages.

Go for a hike or nature walk

A hike or nature walk is an excellent way to get in some beneficial exercise while enjoying the colorful scenery. Make a game out of your nature hike by making a bingo sheet for the kids. Include things like acorns, pinecones, orange leaves and squirrels. Whoever gets bingo first, wins!

Visit a pumpkin patch

Nothing says “autumn” more than taking a trip to a local pumpkin patch. Some may even have a corn maze and hayrides, for more family fun. You could even have contests to see who can find the biggest, smallest or funniest looking pumpkin in the patch.

Carve pumpkins

Host a pumpkin carving contest! Pick up an inexpensive pumpkin for each family member, or make it a BYOP party with friends. Once everyone is finished, take a vote or upload photos to social media and let friends and family cast a vote.

And don’t toss out those delicious pumpkin seeds! You can find lots of simple recipes online to create a healthy snack for harvest season.

Have a bonfire

There’s just something about this time of year that makes having a bonfire, an absolute must. So grab the roasting sticks and some marshmallows and enjoy the crackling of an open fire.

Attend a Fall Carnival or Harvest Festival

Many local communities host family-friendly festivities to welcome fall. Check out what events are happening in your area, and make a day of it.

Watch some football

For many, the “f” in fall means: football! Whether you head back to your high school’s stadium, cheer on a local university’s team, or tune in to the game at home, there is nothing more enjoyable than cheering on your favorite team.

Jump into a pile of leaves

At the very least, rake up a pile of leaves and let the kids make a mess of your work! This is a great way for kids to explore their five senses.

Get crafty

Whether you want to cozy up your home for the season, or get a head start on DIY Halloween costumes and holiday projects, now is the time to get crafty.

Get spooked together

Are you a fan of scary movies? Check Netflix, Hulu or Amazon Prime Video around Halloween for new seasonal additions. Revisit old favorites, or if you’re looking for something a little less spooky, there’s always “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.”

Visit a haunted house

If you’re into spooky Halloween traditions, this should be at the top of your list. Just make sure you know what to expect before taking the kiddos with you.

Star gaze

Fall presents us with the most perfect weather and clearest skies for stargazing. So grab a sweatshirt and hot chocolate, and star gaze under the autumn sky.

Bird watch

Some bird species do their migrating in the fall. Research your area to find what birds might be coming through and on the move. Then grab your binoculars and ornithology loving friends and go spot some flying creatures.

Read a book

Cozy up with a warm blanket and a hot cup of tea and finally dive into that novel you’ve been meaning to start (or finish.) If you’re traveling, listen to an audio book online, and for the kids, read them an autumn-inspired book they’ll love!

Volunteer

Help with a community clean up, work the line at a soup kitchen, take part in a mentoring group – choose something you’re passionate about and lend a hand.

 

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