15 Cozy Activities to Put on Your Fall Bucket List
Even though it’s still 80+ degrees where I am, early September is the start of fall in my mind (and my house). Bring on the pumpkin spice, fall decorations, soups, and sweaters!
Every year I make a whole list of fall-related things I want to do, but life gets busy, and I get tired and unmotivated. But this season, I’m hoping to knock off several fun activities at least once so I can enjoy fall to its fullest. It’s the start of my favorite time of the year, and I want to enjoy every moment.
Check out my fall bucket list below to get some ideas for how you can celebrate the beginning of the ultimate cozy season!
1. Find a cozy book
I mean, of course I had to start my list off with something book-related. There are a lot of lists of fall-inspired books out there, but you can check out my specially curated list here. Fall and winter are the only seasons where my mood reading tends to steer me to more romance-based books, simply because those are the ones that are typically the coziest to read (all my love to thrillers, but they’re not written to give you that cozy feeling!).
There’s nothing like getting comfortable with a good book, a coffee or tea, and a fluffy blanket. Speaking of coffee…
2. Go grab a fall-inspired coffee, tea, or similar drink
This is one of my favorite “treat yourself” things to do in the fall (the fact that it usually also accompanies going to a bookstore is purely coincidental). I really like trying new fall flavors, but I have to say that pumpkin spice–as controversial as it is–is one of my favorites. It just gets me in a cozy mood.
3. Find a local farm and go pumpkin and/or apple picking
I have such fond memories of going to pumpkin patches for school field trips. The smell of the soil and leaves, the crisp air, blue skies overhead, the prickliness of the pumpkins, and the goal to find just the right one… these are the things I remember every fall.
I have several local farms near me that have some fantastic pumpkin patches. A few also have animals such as goats and horses, which my 2 year old loves. One even dresses its goats up for the season, and you can buy locally made jams and other goods. It’s so fun to visit, and we do every year.
Yes, pumpkins at a local farm might be a little more expensive than the ones you can find at the grocery store, but 1. You can support a local business and 2. There are so many more special memories that can be made at a farm; not as many as at a grocery store.
4. Bake and/or cook something fall-inspired
Fall is a great time for baking and cooking! There are so many food-centric activities you can do: hosting a chili or pie bake-off, baking your own pies and cookies, making soups, and even making some of your own fall drinks! Get together with some friends and family and enjoy the delicious goodies fall brings us every year.
I find most of my recipes on Pinterest, but you can find some great food blogs as well. Half Baked Harvest has easy, family-friendly recipes (and a cozy website!) and Budget Bytes offers even more family-friendly recipes, on a budget! I know I’ll be pulling from these blogs–and more–throughout the fall and winter seasons, especially.
5. Go to a fall festival
I’m from a relatively small town on the East Coast and every year we would have a fall (or harvest) festival. It was so much fun–bobbing for apples, crafts, local vendors, hayrides, music, food, and more. I loved it, and I want to make sure I get to one this year because that’s a tradition I want to start with my 2 year old. And best of all, festivals tend to be free, unless you choose to purchase something. Sometimes just walking around and being surrounded by a fall celebration is enough to get you in the autumnal spirit!
6. Do a fall-themed craft or puzzle
I don’t know about you, but I’m honestly a disaster when it comes to most DIY crafts, like wreath-making. But I’ve found that I genuinely love crafts like cross-stitching, loom knitting, and puzzles. And what better time to pick up a new craft than during autumn, when the days are slowly getting shorter and the nights get a little longer? Pro tip: if you’re interested in cross-stitch or knitting, search Etsy for some fantastic patterns. They’re usually pretty cheap and you’re supporting a small business. Win-win!
If you’re looking for some cute fall puzzles, check out this adorable Halloween trick-or-treat puzzle and this Halloween barn dance puzzle on Amazon. I own them both, and I do them every year!
7. Have a bonfire
Summer always equals busy schedules for my family and our friends, but fall starts a wide-spread slowing down that lends to more get-togethers. When the nights get cooler, bonfires are a cozy way to hang out with loved ones and friends. You can tell stories, roast marshmallows or hotdogs, make popcorn, or just catch up with one another. Just make sure to check for any fire danger warnings in your area first!
And if you’re not able to have a fire outdoors, but still want the pure joy that is s’mores this fall, check out this indoor electric s’mores kit! I can’t wait to break ours out, especially for a movie night (which I’ll get to below!).
8. Light a fall candle
Sometimes simply lighting a fall candle can really make a house or room extra cozy. You can find them just about anywhere, for all kinds of prices, too. My favorite memories of fall are tinged with smells like apples, pumpkins, cinnamon, nutmeg, or similar fall-related scents, so lighting a candle has almost-sentimental value for me.
9. Have a fall photoshoot
Fall is a gorgeous time to get some photos in. Find some beautiful foliage and go to town. Add apples, pumpkins, cinnamon sticks, etc., to make your photos extra autumn-y. Get photos of your family and friends (or your pet!), throw some leaves in the air, capture the golden light of a fall afternoon. Memories will be made and you’ll have the evidence of them for forever!
10. Cozy movie nights
Okay, this is a major activity on my bucket list this year. I want all of the fuzzy blankets, snacks, and drinks, and to curl up with the fireplace going and candlelight, with a cozy movie on. Make it a date night–either with yourself or a loved one–or a family movie night where your kids can pretend they’re camping on the living room floor. Make fall-inspired treats or popcorn and just enjoy each others’ company. Getting dark earlier equals more time for nighttime movies!
11. Decorate
This is pretty self-explanatory, but seriously, decorate. Whether you live in a small room or a huge mansion, you should decorate your space how you like. Don’t feel like you have to make your space look like it was ripped out of a magazine (unless that’s the vibe you’re going for). If you like that bright orange and purple plastic pumpkin, put it out! If you like the silly Mickey and Minnie Halloween door mat, get it (I did!). Make your space feel cozy to you and enjoy the process.
Decorating should be fun, not stressful. Oh, and definitely take advantage of sales after the season so you can stock up on some new fall decorations for next year!
12. Go sightseeing
Fall foliage is one of the best reasons to go on a road trip, even if it’s just a brief one! There are even some fall foliage cruises in the northeastern United States (and I’m sure in other parts of the world), and they are extremely popular. If you live in the US, check out the Smoky Mountains fall foliage tracker here to see roughly when peak leaf color is predicted for your area!
13. Jump into a pile of leaves
I still remember helping my grandparents rake the leaves in their front yard and taking running jumps with my cousins (and my grandmother, who’s always game!) into the leaf piles. The smell of the leaves, the crunch, the leaf bits and dust that got in your hair and down your clothes–it’s a simple (and free!) activity that also gets one of the more dreaded fall chores out of the way. What better way to get your kids to help you rake leaves than to make it a race to build the biggest leaf pile and then jump in it?
Finish the game off with a hot chocolate or apple cider inside and you’re guaranteed to instill lasting cozy memories for your children, just like my parents and grandparents did with me.
14. Go camping/rent a cabin
Fall is a great time to be outdoors, and camping is a fun activity that gets you out of the house and into nature. You can light a campfire, roast marshmallows, go hiking, find pinecones, go fishing, or simply explore the area. You can typically find cabins to rent at a campground, too, if you’re not into roughing it. There’s just something about camping that screams “fall” to me, even though it’s a popular summer activity as well!
15. Make your own fall bucket list!
Of course, this list is not exhaustive, and you may or may not enjoy several things on it. So, make your own list! Check out local events, parks, and more to find fall-related activities that will help you make the most out of the season. Think back to some of your favorite childhood memories and recreate them as best you can–did you love pumpkin carving? Hiking? Making caramel apples, or leaf-prints with paint? Add them to your list!
I can’t begin to tell you how much I love this season. There are so many fun things to do, delicious things to eat and drink, and cozy moments. Life gets so incredibly busy and stressful, but fall–at least to me–makes me stop and breathe in the crisp, leaf-filled air.
Sometimes you have to make yourself stop, to take that breath, to intentionally pencil in the fun and cozy moments to your hectic schedule. You have to remind yourself–sometimes almost force yourself–to be in the moment.
Because life is heavy at times and we all need rest, both physically and mentally. And to me, autumn is the season where I feel most at rest and at peace. In fact, at the risk of sounding too sentimental, autumn just feels like home.
Happy fall,
What are you adding to your fall bucket list? Tell me in the comments below!
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