20 Fall Bucket List Activities: Fall Fun For Busy Moms
Ah, fall. That magical time when the air turns crisp, and pumpkin spice takes over like it’s paying rent. For busy women in business, working full-time, or wrangling little ones (or all three—bless your multitasking heart), autumn can feel like a whirlwind of responsibilities. But don’t let the season slip away without a little fun!
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Here’s a fall bucket list of 20 activities that won’t require a huge blast to the piggy bank. Most are budget-friendly, kid-friendly, and won't add a third layer of chaos to your already overflowing plate.
1. **Apple Picking**: Embrace your inner orchard goddess and pick apples that you’ll “probably” get around to baking into something. Maybe. Or just eat them straight and call it a win.
Look for an apple orchard nearby or plan a mini getaway trip to one, if you don’t have one nearby. Don’t forget to get an apple cutter to help through all the fall apple slicing.
2. **Pumpkin Patch Visit**: Go on a quest for the perfect pumpkin. Bonus points if you manage to lift it without throwing out your back—who needs CrossFit when you have gourd lifting?
Again, find a pumpkin patch near you and or plan a little trip for the family to one that is nearby. Please make your life even easier and get yourself a pumpkin carving kit with stencils and gloves.
3. **DIY Fall Décor**: Gather up some pinecones, leaves, and whatever else the kids can scavenge from the yard. Glue it together and—voilà—Martha Stewart’s got nothing on you!
A simple fall decor centerpiece will do too, with some fall leaf decor around the house as well. You can’t get more simple than that.
4. **Fall Movie Marathon**: Break out the cozy blankets, pop some popcorn, and watch movies with enough fall vibes to keep you going until the first snow. Think “Hocus Pocus” meets “When Harry Met Sally.”
5. **Nature Walks**: Take a stroll in the park, and by stroll, I mean bribe the kids with hot chocolate to keep them from complaining the entire time.
6. **Bake Something Spicy**: And by “bake,” I mean preheat the oven for some premade cookies. No judgment here—whatever smells good and warms up the house counts. I love making chocolate chip cookie skillets to share.
7. **Visit a Farmers Market**: Support local vendors and pretend you’re totally going to make something fancy with that fresh kale. (We both know it’s just going to sit in the fridge until it’s tragic, but hey, you tried.)
8. **Corn Maze Adventure**: Get lost in a corn maze! It’s like a team-building exercise but with way more screaming and bribing of children with candy to keep moving forward.
9. **Make S’mores**: Light up the fire pit or microwave those marshmallows—no need to get fancy. Bonus: the kids think it’s gourmet. If for any reason the weather is not s’more making it more friendly, an indoor marshmallow roaster that can be placed on your table is a fun saver!
10. **Fall-Themed Crafts**: Turn your kitchen table into an art studio with construction paper and markers. It’s a bit messy, but at least they’re occupied and not climbing the curtains. Think mini pumpkin crafts, foam pumpkin craft sets and fall picture photo frames.
11. **Attend a Local Fall Festival**: Find a local event with free admission and enjoy people-watching while pretending not to judge other parents' costume choices.
12. **Read a Book with Fall Vibes**: Snuggle up with a book that makes you feel all the cozy fall feels—think mystery, romance, or a good old-fashioned ghost story. There are a ton of fall/halloween book options out there.
13. **Carve Pumpkins**: Make it a competition with the kids (just kidding, we all know you’re going to win with your Pinterest-inspired design). Don’t forget a pumpkin carving kit with stencils and gloves!
14. **Scavenger Hunt**: Create a fall scavenger hunt in your backyard. A fun way to get everyone moving, and let’s be honest, a sneaky way to tire the kids out.
15. **Hot Beverages All Day Long**: Swap your usual coffee for a pumpkin spice latte—or just add cinnamon and call it a day. The kids can have apple cider. Everybody’s happy.
16. **Leaf Pile Jumping**: Rake the leaves into a giant pile, let the kids jump in, and then—you guessed it—make *them* rake it up again. Life skills, right?
17. **Halloween Costume Planning**: Get creative with DIY costumes. Pro tip: old sheets make great ghosts or toga party enthusiasts—your choice.
18. **Visit a Haunted House**: For the brave at heart, check out a local haunted house. For the rest of us, watching a spooky movie from the safety of our own couch is just fine.
19. **Explore a New Park**: Check out a new park or trail. It’s like a mini-adventure that doesn’t require much planning or a passport.
20. **Fall Photoshoot**: Grab your phone and capture some candid family shots in your backyard. No need to book a professional photographer—just find the tree with the prettiest leaves and pretend you live in a Hallmark movie.
There you have it! 20 easy and budget-friendly ways to embrace fall without losing your mind (or your wallet). Remember, it’s not about doing it all perfectly; it’s about finding little pockets of joy and maybe even some peace amid the madness. So go forth, drink your hot cocoa, jump in some leaves, and enjoy the season—basic sweater weather and all!
As an added perk, after all the pumpkin spice, sugar and fall goodies, boost you metabolism and re energize into the holidays with Java Burn. Add to your pumpkin spiced latte (or regular coffee) to fill up your battery levels and get back on track with your health goals.
