Before the Holiday Rush: 9 Things to Do as a Family This Fall

Before the calendar fills with holiday plans, let’s make room for the simple moments that help your family feel connected.

Fall has a way of picking up speed. One minute, we’re settling into school routines and enjoying cooler mornings; the next, the leaves are falling and the calendar is filling with holiday events, shopping lists, travel plans, and end-of-year commitments. Before the season gets away from you, let’s consider setting aside time for the people who will be moving through it with us.

I’ve come to find that family memories seriously do not have to mean planning an elaborate outing or spending more money. I used to get so stressed trying to plan out the perfect details for a family outing. Often, the moments children remember most are the ones that feel ordinary while they’re happening: a walk to collect the colorful leaves around the neighborhood, a favorite recipe made together in the kitchen, or a living room full of laughter and board games. If you’re looking for some stress free Fall fun with your family, here are 10 simple ways to enjoy the last weeks of fall before the holiday rush begins.

Take a family walk: Choose a nearby trail, park, or even a familiar neighborhood route and leave room to wander. Notice the changing leaves, collect a few interesting shapes, or let the kids choose the direction at each turn. Keep phones tucked away when possible and allow the conversation to unfold naturally. The point isn’t to hit a step goal; it’s to spend time together without another task attached.

Bake something together: Pick a recipe that feels seasonal, whether it’s apple muffins, cinnamon biscuits, cornbread, or a family favorite. Give children jobs that match their ages: measuring ingredients, stirring, setting the timer, or decorating the finished treat. A little mess is part of the experience. If the recipe becomes a tradition, even better. My kids and I recently tried this apple puff pastry recipe from Shantel Taylor on YouTube, and they didn’t last more than an hour in our kitchen! So good!

Host a family game night: Pull out a board game, a deck of cards, a puzzle, or a game everyone can make up together. UNO is a favorite in our house. The three year old doesn’t quite get it, but helping him learn the game is part of the fun! Put snacks on the table and agree to keep the evening simple. For younger kids, choose games with short rounds; for older children, let them teach the family something they enjoy. The goal is shared fun, not a perfectly competitive tournament. 

Take a family portrait: You don’t need matching outfits or a professional photographer. Take a picture on the porch, the backyard, at the park, or in the middle of a regular weekend. Include the people who are there, pets if you have them, and the details that make this season yours. A candid photo can become a meaningful record of who your family was in this particular moment.

Have ‘yes day’: Let each family member suggest one small thing they’d like to do together, then choose an idea that fits your time and budget. It might be visiting the library, getting hot chocolate, building a blanket fort, or watching the sunset. The boundary is that the plan stays manageable. A little shared decision-making helps everyone feel included.

Start a gratitude ritual: Keep it low-pressure. At dinner or bedtime, invite everyone to share one good thing from the day, one person they appreciated, or one moment they want to remember. Children don’t need to produce profound answers, and adults can participate too. Gratitude is more meaningful when it’s an invitation to notice, not an assignment to pretend everything is perfect. Bonus points if you write them down and reflect together at the end of the year!

Pass the AUX: Create a family playlist with a song from each person. Play it while driving, cleaning up, cooking, or getting ready for the weekend. Ask why each person chose their song and let the answers surprise you. Music can offer a small window into each other’s personalities, interests, and memories.

Practice gratitude together: Write a thank-you note to a teacher or neighbor, drop off a meal, donate books your family no longer uses, or check in on someone who might appreciate a call. Keep the activity appropriate to your family’s capacity. Children learn generosity not only by hearing about it, but by seeing how small actions can make someone else’s day easier.

Make a ‘before winter’ bucket list: Ask everyone to name one thing they’d like to do before the season changes. Put the ideas on paper and choose one or two that are realistic. Some may be outings; others might be staying in pajamas for a slow morning or finishing a puzzle together. The list isn’t another set of obligations. It’s a way to be intentional about the time you have.

You don’t have to complete all 10 ideas, or turn any of them into a new family project. Choose what fits your energy, your budget, and the ages and interests of the people in your home. If the week is already full, one walk or one shared meal is much more than enough!

The holiday season will bring its own opportunities for celebration and connection. Before it arrives in full, give your family a little space to enjoy the season you’re in. Sometimes the best way to prepare for the holidays is to slow down long enough to notice each other now.