With the cooler temperatures of autumn arriving shortly, it’s the perfect time for outdoor fun—and you don’t even have to bust your budget to join in!
To give you some ideas, we’ve created an autumn bucket list. How many of these budget-friendly fall activities can you cross off before winter?
Go on a Nature Hike
Make a game out of your family hike with a nature bingo sheet. Include things like acorns, orange leaves and fuzzy squirrels. You can find one online or whip up your own. Whoever gets bingo first wins!
Have a Picnic
The weather is perfect. It’s the most wonderful time of year for everyone who likes not-too-hot and not-too-cold. Why not enjoy it with a nice picnic lunch at a local park? You can make it even better if you pack a couple of autumn treats, like pumpkin lattes, bread and pies. Super fun!
Go Pick Pumpkins
Speaking of all things pumpkin, did you know they’re technically berries? Yeah. Don’t worry, you don’t need that trivia fact to get into the pumpkin patch. Just make sure you budget for all the cute gourds you want to bring home with you!
Carve Jack-O’-Lanterns
Once you’ve visited the pumpkin patch, make a family date of picking out patterns and (carefully) carving them into your pumpkins. Don’t forget to budget for the candles! And if the kids are too young, you can paint the pumpkins instead.
Visit An Apple Orchard
This is an autumn classic. With quite a few options in the local area, you can make a day of it! Some places sell you bushels of apples, while others even let you pick your own. Either way, you’ll enjoy two things that are good for you: fresh air and fresh fruit.
Make Your Own Local Fun
You can always make your own budget-friendly fall fun! Organize a street parade with the neighbors. Or have a small group of friends bring their own food and camping chairs and enjoy a backyard get-together.
Spend Time Around the Fire Pit
If you’ve already got one, make use of it on the crisp evenings. If you don’t, think about how this one purchase could bring tons of nights of free entertainment. You can tell stories, talk about your favorite things, or ask crazy questions. Good conversations take some work, but they’re totally in the budget.
Tailgate From Home
Are you ready for some football? Even if you can’t make the game in person, you can still create a tailgate vibe inside or out with the right snacks and a few friends over to cheer on your favorite team from your couch!
Make Apple Cobbler
Nothing says fall like the smell of fresh apple cobbler in the oven. If you use the apples you bought (or picked) on your trip to the apple orchard, even better!
Pop Popcorn on the Stove
Sure, you can make popcorn on the stove no matter what month it is. But there’s something extra special about this cozy tradition in the fall. And it tastes good too!
Watch a Favorite Fall Movie
Your tv streaming service is packed with seasonal films right now. Share an old favorite with the family, or call up the neighbor with a projector and have an outdoor movie night with friends. Throw some of those roasted pumpkin seeds and a cup of candy corn into your stovetop popcorn, and you’ve got an awesome fall movie snack.
Learn About Money Together
While it’s always in season to take a closer look at your finances, with some of the uncertainty around the world, being financially prepared is more important than ever. What if your family spends some time together this fall doing something really meaningful for everyone’s future?
Roast Marshmallows
There’s just something about this time of year that makes roasting marshmallows an absolute must. Bonus points if you make s’mores—double bonus points if you use that fire pit!
Drink Hot Chocolate
Autumn isn’t complete unless you enjoy a few mugs of hot chocolate on crisp fall nights. Or if you aren’t a fan of chocolate, swap it out for a hearty cup of spiced apple cider. Yum!
Go for a Sunday Drive
Leisurely Sunday drives are always in style, but they’re even better in the fall. Grab a blanket, roll down the windows, and hit the road to admire all the leaves changing colors. And if you want to save on gas, take a drive to some place picturesque, lay out the blanket, and take in the fresh air.
Camp Out in Your Backyard
You don’t have to go far to camp out. Just pop up a tent in your own backyard! Download a free stargazing app for some added free fun.
Jump Into a Pile Leaves
Okay—this one involves work. But hey, you’ll burn some calories and get some yardwork done as you go. Make a pile. Jump in. Repeat until everyone tuckers out.