Fall always seems to go by faster than expected. One minute you’re thinking about all the things you want to do, and the next, the season is almost over. So we put together a fall bucket list with simple ideas for cozy days, little outings, and everything in between, giving you a few easy ways to make the most of fall.
Fall Treats
Sometimes the first sign of fall is just seeing your favorite seasonal treats come back. A pumpkin spice latte or a warm cinnamon roll is an easy place to start, and suddenly it feels like fall again. A few more fall favorites to add to the list:
Apple pie or apple crumble
Chai latte
Pumpkin bread
Hot apple cider or spiced apple juice
Caramel or toffee apples
Hot chocolate
Game Night
Fall is a good excuse to put the phones down and get everyone around the same table. A board game gives you something easy to do together, with plenty of time to talk, laugh, and stay in for the night. You can make it even more fun with:
Pick a game at random
Add a small prize for the winner
Keep easy snacks and drinks nearby
Add a fun little rule
Keep score and play a few rounds
Coffee Catch-Up
Sometimes the plan is just coffee with a friend and a long catch-up. You pick a cozy spot together, order your usual drinks, and start talking about what’s been going on lately. Things to try while you catch up:
Color a page together
Start a scrapbook or junk journal
Make friendship bracelets
Bring a mini air-dry clay project
Doodle or sketch together
Decorate favorite things with stickers
Play a quick card game
Paint Pumpkins
You really don’t have to be good at painting for this one. Grab a few small pumpkins, put on some music, and paint whatever sounds fun. Little ghosts, silly faces, tiny flowers, or anything else that fits your fall vibe. These work well for pumpkin painting:
Acrylic paint markers for most decorating ideas
Fine-tip paint pens for little details
Permanent markers for outlines and lettering
POSCA pens for faux or ceramic pumpkins
Acrylic paint and a brush for larger areas
Color and Unwind
That pumpkin page you kept skipping suddenly looks a lot more fun once fall rolls around. Same with the cozy rooms, little ghosts, and all the Spooky Cutie pages.
Pick the colors you’re in the mood for and make the page your own. It’s an easy, low-pressure way to get creative, take a break from screens, and unwind for a bit.
To create a cozy coloring corner at home, a few small changes can make your coloring time feel more comfortable:
Start with a spot you already have
Use comfortable lighting
Keep coloring tools easy to reach
Add small cozy details
Save Your Fall Photos
Your camera roll is probably already full of little fall moments. Coffee runs, weekend walks, random cute things you wanted to remember.
Print a few, add some stickers or notes, and make a page out of them. Now you’ve got something fun to flip through later.
Switch Up Your Space
A new season is a pretty good excuse to switch up a few things at home. Nothing major, just a couple of pieces that make the room feel a little different. These little touches can make the room feel more fall-ready:
Warm-toned pillows: Try rust, olive, mustard, brown, or other earthy shades.
Textured throw blankets: Woven or chunky blankets add an easy fall touch to a sofa or chair.
Dried flowers or branches: A simple way to bring in more autumn color without adding too much.
Fall candles: Pumpkin, apple, cinnamon, or other warm seasonal scents can make the room feel extra cozy.
Small rustic accents: Mini gourds, baskets, or simple wooden pieces are easy to mix into what you already have.
Movie Night In
Getting comfy with a blanket and snacks while something creepy plays in the background gives you that little bit of a thrill, all while you’re safely curled up on the couch. Pretty much a fall night well spent. These are easy picks for spooky season:
The Addams Family (2019)
Hocus Pocus (1993)
Coraline (2009)
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Frankenweenie (2012)
Corpse Bride (2005)
Toy Story of Terror! (2013)
Monster House (2006)
Halloweentown (1998)