Fall Family-Friendly Outdoor Outings

As the leaves start to change and the air finally cools down (goodbye 100+ degree days in NorCal!), it's the perfect time to plan some family-friendly outdoor activities.

Here are some of our favorite fall outings that the whole family will enjoy!

PS: Number 6 is something we planned last year that was a HUGE hit with the whole neighborhood!

 

1. Visit your local farmer's market

A quick google search will bring up some local farmer's markets near you. We love going by the one that's 10 minutes from our house. But there's a much larger weekend farmer's market about 30 minutes away that's worth taking a special trip to. 

There's usually an area the kids can get turned loose so they can scratch that exploration itch. And we've even met some new friends while letting the kids play, which isn't always the easiest to do!

I love the sights and smells of fresh produce, baked goods, and artisanal products.

Let the kids pick out some colorful fruits and veggies to take home and incorporate into your meals.

2. Find a family-friendly hike nearby using AllTrails

If you haven't tried the AllTrails app, you're missing out! It's completely free and let's you search for hikes based on ability or length in any area you choose. It's great for finding a new place nearby or for researching options in an area you might be traveling to.

Choose a trail that suits your family's skill level and enjoy the beauty of nature together. Don't forget to pack your Saltwater Trail hats, sunscreen and some snacks + plenty of water!

3. A new pumpkin patch

Fall season with little ones is definitely not complete without a trip to the pumpkin patch. We love going to our local favorite but it's also great to branch out and try something new. 

Link up with other mom friends or bring the grandparents along to help capture those candid family moments.

These places are created for kids and families, so it's nice to let the kids get their energy out playing and interact with the animals. At the end we usually pick out our favorite pumpkins, and maybe even try a corn maze or hayride. It's a classic fall activity that is hard to beat.

4. Local fruit picking

There's an area near us called Apple Hill with several beautiful farms and orchards for some fruit picking fun. They usually have areas for lunch or treats (like an apple cider donut that has mouth-water the whole drive there) and it's a great way to spend an afternoon with family.

Whether your area has apples, pears, or berries, the experience of harvesting your own fruit is fun and can even be educational for the kiddos. Plus, you can use your fresh-picked fruit to make something delicious at home!

5. Biking to a local park

The weather is perfect for getting outside so we love to pack a lunch, hitch up the bike trailer, load our little dude in and ride to a local park. Even if it's a park you go to all the time, it's fun just having a new experience of getting there!

We love seeing all foliage that's changing along the way and then spend some time playing on the playground and having a little lunch. It's a great way to take advantage of the beautiful weather and stay active as a family.

 

BONUS:

Organize a neighborhood Fall/Halloween parade

Last year I had the idea to organize a really simple neighborhood Halloween Parade for the kids. We did it the Saturday before Halloween from around 11-1pm. We have a little park in our neighborhood so we gathered in a nearby cul-de-sac, in costumes and did a little parade down the street and around the block back to the park. 

The kids walked or rode bikes, scooters, etc. and they had an absolute blast. Some of the families in our neighborhood have golf carts so a few parents were cruising through on their golf carts too. We brought a speaker and played some spooky tunes as we paraded back to the park.

When we got back to the park the kids were set loose onto the playground and the adults hung out, unpacked picnics and mimosas. It was so much fun.

And all it really took was a quick invite that I created on Canva. I posted it to our neighborhood Facebook Group. I printed some flyers and posted them to our neighborhood mailboxes a couple weeks in advance. And about 40 kids showed up. I was so surprised- It was total hit!

We are so excited to do it again this year and it's definitely going to be an annual thing. 

This year we reached out to a local food truck who is going to come. And we also have some parents planning to set up a bike decorating station for the kids to decorate their bikes/scooters/golf carts before the parade. It's been really fun to see the whole thing grow.

 

There is so much to love about the Fall Season. But what I love most is the wonderful weather that makes it so easy to head outside and enjoy time together as a family. 

 

Cheers to Fall!