It’s October. School is in full swing. Cool air is moving in. Soon the leaves will be changing into all of their autumnal glory…somewhere else. Not here in Texas. Here in Texas it is likely to be 90 degrees and humid through mid October, with a possibility of jacket weather on Halloween. Once mid-September arrives, I’m ready to celebrate fall even though the weather is still warm. The wall-flowers are changed out from summer beach-inspired scents to comforting Sweater Weather and Flannel, and the soap in the bathroom smells deliciously of pumpkin.
I know I can’t be the only Southerner who simply longs for real fall weather, so I’ve put together a bucket list for southern families to celebrate the season of fall. Some of these items are your more traditional activities, while others are a little on the kooky side. Some are simply ideas to make your home feel like fall, even if the weather outside your window has other ideas. It’s my hope that whether you use my list or create your own (more info on that at the end of this post!), your family will have a wonderful season and enjoy spending time together.
Pumpkin Fall Family Bucket List Ideas
Fall and pumpkins go hand-in-hand, so of course I had to include a few pumpkin ideas in this bucket list.
- Visit a pumpkin patch
- Paint or carve a pumpkin (and roast the seeds!)
- Make your own pumpkin puree to use in recipes
- Get a white pumpkin and a Sharpie and start a new family tradition – the Gratitude Pumpkin! We’ve started ours for the first time and it’s been a great addition to our evening routine.
Outdoor Fall Family Bucket List Ideas
Yes, I know this is a list for people who live in the South and we don’t have a typical fall season in the South. These ideas might be saved for later in the fall when it’s actually not lava hot anymore.
- Open your windows
- Visit a pumpkin patch
- Take a hike or a nature walk (see what the season looks like where you live)
- Visit local breweries or wineries. Not only will you be supporting a local business, a lot of places have beautiful outdoor areas with food where you can hang out and enjoy each other’s company. I know that it’s common where I live for breweries and wineries to have places for kids to run around, if you need to bring your kids along.
- Grab some family and/or friends and have a pick up football game
- Go on a family hayride
- Rake the leaves and jump in the piles!
Crafty Fall Family Bucket List Ideas
I’m a sucker for a seasonal craft. Include the kids and make it fun!
- Make a fall wreath to hang on your front door
- Paint a pumpkin
- Collect acorns on your nature walk and do acorn painting. My four-year-old loves to collect “acorn hats” to use in art projects as well.
- Grab acorns (don’t forget the acorn hats!) and some bags of beans along with other items from your nature walk and some hot glue and create a fun mosaic!
Fall Family Bucket List Ideas for When You Can’t Get Outdoors
We’ve already established that it’s still hot in the South, and we know there may be days when you just can’t get outside to celebrate the season. Here are some things you can do inside which will add to the seasonal fun.
- Buy an autumnal-scented candle and burn it
- Turn down the a/c and put on your favorite sweater!
- Watch Hallmark Channel Fall Harvest movies (really get into the experience while burning that candle and donning that sweater!)
Fall Family Bucket List Ideas for the Kitchen
- Make apple butter
- Try a new soup
- Make your own pumpkin puree to use in recipes
So there you have it, the 2021 Fall Family Bucket List for people who live in the south. I hope your family has a blast planning the fall season and that it blesses you beyond measure. To help you organize and plan your bucket list, I’ve created a printable planner that you can get access to by signing up below. Don’t miss out!
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