fall bucket list

2023 Fall Bucket List: 50 Fun Activities + Free Printable

Need some festive ideas for you fall bucket list this year? You’re at the right place! The season is changing and as a southern California resident I’m so ready for these fall activities.

I love that the mornings have been getting a little cooler so that I need a light sweatshirt when I leave the house. I’ve been missing my cozy flannel tops and soft hoodies, and I’m so ready to get out my fall candles and curl up under a blanket with a good book.

Another reason I love the season changing is that it’s a perfect time to try new things, change up your routine, start new habits, and set new goals, so I’m going to share 50 fun activities to do this fall for your autumn bucket list. This list is perfect for adults, teens, and kids!

There is a FREE fall bucket list printable at the end of this post for you!

If you’re wanting to reset your life during this season, I have a lovely post about how to do a fall reset that you may find helpful! If you enjoy journaling, here are 25 journal prompts for fall. And if you need some self care, here are 12 ways to create a fall self care ritual.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. Using them gives me a small commission at no additional cost to you. You can read my full disclosure here.

Fall Bucket List Ideas for 2023:

1. Bake Apple & Pumpkin Pies

Warm apple pie is so good in the fall! If pie isn’t your favorite, how about an apple caramel cheesecake? Yum!

2. Take Long Walks in the Rain

3. Get Cozy by the Fireplace

Sitting by a roaring fire with a warm drink and a good book or tv show is the best. A good fall show is Only Murders in the Building. It’s weirdly cozy for a show about murder. If you haven’t watched it already, put it on your autumn bucket list too.

4. Jump in a Big Pile of Leaves

This is a great activity to make you feel like a kid again. If you have your own kids this is a wonderful way to make good memories with them—also trick them into raking up the leaves.

5. Roast Marshmallows & Make S’mores

Whether you roast your marshmallows in a bonfire, fireplace, or just over the stove, making S’mores is a delicious fall activity. A great hack is to use fudge striped cookies instead of graham crackers and pieces of chocolate.

6. Read a New Book

Curling up with a good book while the fire crackles and rain patters on your window is so lovely. Try this list of 18 Books About Witches, see if your friends want to start a fall book club.

7. Burn Yummy Fall Candles

I almost always have a delicious fall candle burning in the autumn. Every year I head over to Bath and Body Works to pick up my favorite scents: marshmallow fireside, pumpkin apple, pumpkin pecan waffles.

8. Go to a Pumpkin Farm

Is it even fall if you don’t pick up a pumpkin or two? Get outside and enjoy the fresh air as you find the perfect pumpkin.

9. Sip Hot Apple Cider

10. Drink Hot Cocoa

Make a fancy cup of hot chocolate this fall with whipped cream, marshmallows, and any other toppings you like!

11. Have a Candlelit Dinner

Have a special dinner by candle light, whether you’re with a partner, friend, a pet, or having a nice night by yourself. Make it special and enjoy a good meal without any distractions.

12. Make a Fall Playlist

Make a new playlist to get you through the season. Maybe it’s mellow and melancholy, or make one with spooky Halloween themed songs.

13. Decorate the House for Fall

My favorite things about the fall and winter seasons is decorating the house. Pumpkins, fluffy blankets and festive pillows in autumn colors, ghosts and witches, etc. In October I wrap some purple, orange, and green lights around the stair banister and use a plug-in timer to have it come on the evenings.

14. Decorate With Nature

You don’t necessarily have to buy a bunch of decor to give it an autumn vibes. You can go outside and find things to decorate with. Put colorful leaves in picture frames, place pine cones in glass vases, display fall produce in pretty bowls. etc. Look on Pinterest and Youtube for more creative ideas.

15. Go for a Scenic Drive

When the leaves change color go for a drive someplace pretty and take it all in.

16. Watch Halloween Movies

Make a night out of watching your favorite Halloween movies. Invite some friends, make spooky snacks, and cuddle up on the sofa.

17. Carve or Paint Pumpkins

I am personally terrible at carving pumpkins, but it’s still fun to do! Painting is also a good option if you aren’t so good with those terrible knives that come in pumpkin carving kits.

18. Bake Cookies

Have a day of baking cookies, and then maybe take some to a neighbor or friend.

19. Buy a New Pair of Fuzzy Socks

20. Visit a Haunted House

If you like being scared visit a haunted house in your city!

21. Put Your Summer Clothes Away and Get Out Your Fall Clothes

It’s time to put away your summer gear and get out your cozy cardigans, flannel shirts, and boots! I love bring out my fall wardrobe each year.

22. DIY a Pumpkin Spice Latte

Here’s a quick video on how to make your own pumpkin spice latte.

23. Make Homemade Chili

Try some homemade chili recipes, once you’ve found the perfect one have your own chili making contest with friends or family.

24. Go Apple Picking

25. Make a Daily Gratitude List

Fall is a time when we think about things we’re grateful for, so make it part of you routine. A daily gratitude list will go a long way towards making you a happier person.

26. Rent a Cabin in the Woods

If possible, take a weekend getaway to a cabin in the woods. You can go with your partner, friends, or even have a great time by yourself.

27. Make a DIY Halloween Costume

Finding the perfect Halloween costume is great, but making one yourself is even better!

28. Go Through a Corn Maze

29. Take a Hay Ride

30. Do a Photo Scavenger Hunt

Gather your friends and family, then split into groups and go on a quest to find fall related things around your neighborhood. Take a picture of each thing on your list and whichever group finds them all first wins.

autumn bucket list

31. Learn How to Knit a Scarf

Ok, this one definitely isn’t for me, but if you’re a crafty person try knitting a scarf! Maybe you’ll be so good at it you can make a bunch as Christmas gifts. Check out Youtude for tutorials.

32. Make a Fall Wreath

33. Make Caramel or Candy Apples

34. Build a Scarecrow

This is a great fall activity to do with kids. Browse Pinterest for ideas and then head to the craft store for supplies.

35. Make Your Favorite Fall Soup

36. Go to a Fall Festival

Fall festivals are great because it’s not too hot or too cold, and you can usually check a few activities off your fall bucket list in one go!

37. Camp In Your Backyard

Camping in the backyard (if you have one) is great because you don’t have to drive anywhere and a clean bathroom is just a few feet away. Roast marshmallows and hotdogs, tell spooky stories, and if you have a movie projector you can watch a Halloween movie!

38. Create a Cozy Reading Nook

Create a cozy nest to snuggle into while you’re enjoying your fall reading list. Drape some fairy lights on the walls, get some flameless candles, spread out soft blankets and squishy pillows.

39. Bake Pumpkin Bread

Or if you aren’t keen on pumpkin, banana bread is always amazing.

40. Tell Ghost Stories at a Bonfire

fun fall activities

41. Make a Fall Floral Arrangement or Tablescape

Look around outside and see what you can find to make a diy fall floral arrangement. Collect colorful leaves and pine cones, and maybe even use fall produce to make a pretty tablescape.

42. Have a Game Night

A game night is the perfect activity for cool autumn evenings when you don’t feel like going out. Get out the old favorites that you loved as a kid.

43. Take a Cooking Class

A cooking class is a great fall activity. You can learn a new recipe or skill with a friend or your partner, and then later you can wow people with a delicious dish at a holiday gathering.

44. Go to a Drive-in Movie

45. Visit an Escape Room

46. Make Apple Butter

47. Make Donuts

How about some baked apple cider donuts, caramel apple donuts, or chocolate chip pumpkin donuts?

48. Host a Friendsgiving

Get together with your best friends for great food and good company.

49. Go Stargazing

On a clear night sit outside with some blankets and see what constellations you can find.

50. Send Gratitude Letters

Write letters to people you love, telling them all the things you appreciate about them. It will make their day!


Related: Free Summer Bucket List Printable

I hope you’ll try some of the fun activities on this autumn bucket list! I can’t wait for the leaves to start changing, crisp cool air, drinking hot cider, wearing scarves, warm cherry pie with vanilla ice cream on top, and fall decorations!

What are you most looking forward to doing this season? Check out the fall reset guide.

Here is your free fall bucket list printable!

fall bucket list free printable

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8 Comments

  1. Fall is my favorite season and thus I love this list. Additionally, I really appreciate the fact that many of these activities are low budget. Thank you for organizing this awesome post!

  2. Fuzzy new socks and a gratitude are my favorites here to jump into right away. So many great ideas to implement! Thanks for sharing!