Autumn in the UK is defined as the months of September, October, and November. The weather is starting to cool down and we gradually start to notice the darker mornings and the evenings becoming dimmer a little earlier each day. In this post we look at 26 Autumn family activities. Please note that there may be affiliate links in this post. To learn more about what this means, please click here.
The activities have been split into four categories; Free or nearly free, low-mid cost, high cost, and other celebrations. Of course, what is cheap to one person may be expensive to another, but it is believed that this best defines the activities by cost.
26 Autumn family activities
Free or nearly free!
- Leaf rubbings or crafting.
Using leaves in art and crafts is a great way to get into the Autumn spirit. Collecting fallen leaves and then using crayons to rub over a piece of paper placed on the leaves is a simple fun way to make some beautiful art. Other examples of good Autumn leaf crafting are; Making a bowl from leaves, leaf chalk art, and an Autumn leaf wreath.
- Make hot chocolates
Some of the simplest pleasures can make the best memories. Making hot chocolates and adding extra toppings can be a lot of fun. You could take them out in a flask to enjoy outside or cuddle up inside and watch some seasonal movies.
- Bake pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, apple crumbles, and all the seasonal goodies!
There are so many wonderful treats that you can bake at this time of year. So much comfort food and a great way to teach the family about seasonal eating.
- Make bird feeders
This is the time that the birds need our help as there is less available to them as the weather gets colder. Making a bird feeder can be a fun family project and then you could even keep a family diary of how many birds you spot in your garden and what type of birds they are.
- Jump in piles of leaves and take photographs.
Another simple but really fun activity that can produce some super photographs.
- Make homemade soup
Making homemade soup together as a family can be so much fun. It can also help kids to eat their vegetables as they are more inclined to eat something that they have made themselves.
- Do some stargazing
The darker evenings make it easier to spend time outside stargazing. How many constellations can you spot? If it sparks a real interest you could even invest in a telescope for better views.
- Go for woodland walks or bike rides
England has some fantastic forests to explore either by foot or on bicycles. Exploring in the Autumn means that you can track the changing seasons and spot the different types of wildlife that occur in the Autumn months.
- Build dens in the forest
Who doesn’t love making a den or a fort? Making one in the woods is great fun as you can make use of fallen branches and leaves to decorate or camouflage your hideaway. Alternatively, you could use a kit to help you.
- Make a scarecrow or a guy for the bonfire
This can be a great family project. You can either make a scarecrow to keep the birds from eating your garden or a guy to burn on the bonfire. Either way, it can be a great creative family project.
- Fly a kite
Autumn usually means more wind that is great for getting out with some kites and learning to fly them. You could even have a go at making your own kites to fly.
- Toast marshmallows
What can be more Autumnal than sitting by a campfire roasting marshmallows?
- Go apple picking and forage for blackberries
Many farms offer pick your own opportunities. Blackberries often grow naturally in the wild so you can find some blackberry bushes and pick them for free.
Low-Mid cost Autumn family activities
- Visit a pumpkin patch
Heading to a pumpkin patch can be a lot of fun. They often have other activities to take part in too and it is so lovely having the choice of which pumpkin you would like. They have so many different shapes and sizes.
- Visit a corn maze (maize maze)
I absolutely love a good maze. Maybe it links back to one of my most favourite childhood movies, the Labrinth. Corn mazes are great as they are replanted each year meaning that they are never the same each year.
- Visit a farmers market
Farmer’s markets are a lot of fun as you get to support your local farmers and enjoy fresh seasonal produce.
- Visit some museums or galleries
When the weather is too cold or wet to venture outside, museums and galleries make great alternatives. Educational with plenty to see and do, they have something for all ages.
High-cost activities
- Take the family to Blackpool to see the illuminations
Seeing the Blackpool illuminations as a child is something that I have never forgotten. I was about eight years old and totally mesmerised. Why not take the family for a day trip or a weekend away to view them up close?
- Go away for a hot tub weekend
The darker cooler nights make hot tub lodges a very good choice. Go with the family to make some amazing memories or as a couple for some romance.
- Visit a farm
Most farms are still open in the Autumn months. If you wrap up warm and wear welly boots you can still have a super fun day out with fewer crowds than in the summer months.
- Visit an English Heritage site or a National Trust Garden.
There are some stunning locations to visit and they normally have a tea room for hot drinks and cake!
- Take the family horseriding.
Horseriding can be fun for all the family and a great way to explore the countryside.
Other things to celebrate in the Autumn months
- Halloween
Halloween on October 31st each year can give a lot of opportunities for family fun, games, crafts, and baking.
- Bonfire night
November 5th each year. Chances to attend firework displays, crafting, and fun.
- Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest is a German folk festival that is held each year. There are often many events in the UK to celebrate Oktoberfest.
- The Autumn equinox
The Autumn equinox is when there is an equal amount of day and night. After this, there becomes less light each day until the spring equinox.
So there you have 26 Autumn family activities. What will you be putting on your must-do this Autumn? I would love to hear from you in the comments or on my socials.
