40 Fall Bucket List Ideas + Free Printables

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Yay! I’m sharing these free fall bucket list ideas and template printables today as part of my freebie series. Always totally free — you never have to enter your email to download.

Of all the things I was looking forward to when moving back to the Midwest, it was the fall season. It’s just a glorious time. Everything is crisp, the leaves are changing colors, there are lots of open places for hayrides, pumpkin patches and scary haunted forests.

But, like everything this year, the pandemic has put a wrench in a lot of the activities I was hoping to enjoy. With cases on the rise and a toddler who can’t/won’t wear a mask or abide by social distancing, we have to rethink everything we want to do.

Trick-or-treating, costume parties and large family Thanksgiving celebrations are going to have to wait till next year.

Maybe you’re in the same boat. I came up with 40 fall bucket list ideas to consider, and most of them should work under quarantine rules. Some you might need to put a pin in, depending on where you live and how populated your community events tend to be.

Fall Bucket List: 40 Ideas

I didn’t even include trick-or-treating or costume parties on this list, you’ll notice. That’s just because it hurt too much to know I wouldn’t be joining in this year.

But if you’re viewing this in 2021 and beyond — hopefully the future is bright and we will be bobbing for apples and touching strangers’ candy again soon (hmm, that doesn’t sound quite right).

Things to Do

Take a foliage drive or hike. Even if you don’t live near leaf-peeping ground zero, you can simply walk or drive around your neighborhood to notice the changing season. Raise the stakes with a fun family scavenger hunt.
Go to the pumpkin patch. We are going on a weekday to limit to crowds.
Find a corn maze.
Go apple picking.
Go on a hayride. Wear a mask!
Attend a fall festival. A lot of festivals have been canceled in 2020, but do a search for drive-through festivals or trick-or-treating in your area — this seems to be the pandemic compromise of choice.
Enjoy a fall bonfire. I plan on enjoying one of these with my close friends. We’ll make s’mores and tell spooky stories.

💡 TIPS & TRICKS
Here are 8 awesome things you can do on a perfect fall day.

Things to Bake/Cook

Make your favorite pumpkin treat.
Make apple cider. This recipe sounds amazing.
Roast pumpkin seeds. Give this drunken pumpkin seeds recipe a try.
Make soup from scratch. I love a good pumpkin soup. I misplaced my go-to recipe during the move, but this Easy Pumpkin Soup recipe looks to be similar.
Roast marshmallows.
Bake a pie. I may try this Easy Pecan Pie recipe.

Self-Care

Vote. Make sure you’re registered! I’m writing this in 2020, perhaps the most important presidential election I’ve seen in my lifetime. But you should vote every year in your local and state elections. Representation is extremely important, and those small elections affect your life on a daily basis.
Burn a fall-scented candle. What’s your favorite fall scent? I like Capri Blue’s Cinnamon Noir, or any wood-wick candle.
Decorate for fall. I’ve seen little bats show up in a lot of October decor lately, and I think they look really rad. You can also try some Halloween-themed printable art.
Self-timer for a family photo shoot. You’ll thank me come holiday card time!
Drink hot toddies and put together a puzzle on the patio. I’ve always wanted to drink a hot toddy because it sounds so Grown Up™ — and this recipe sounds awesome. Couple with an artsy puzzle and a cozy blanket, and I’ll think I’ve gone to heaven. (This Edward Gorey puzzle looks suitably seasonal, not to mention hard AF!)
Create a fall playlist. A few suggestions: October Swimmer, Harvest Moon, Sweater Weather
Paint nails an autumnal color.
Buy yourself a seasonal coffee. It doesn’t have to be a PSL unless that’s your jam. What about salted caramel?

💡 TIPS & TRICKS
Check out this fall gift guide — you might just find something for yourself!

Halloween

Carve or paint pumpkins. Here are some beautiful no-carve pumpkin decorating options. If that isn’t enough, here are even more no-carve options. And my glitter pumpkins are still going strong several years later!
Create at-home hunt for candy. This is our trick-or-treat plan for 2020. We are going to treat it like Easter, and have the girls hunt for candy around the house.
Boo your neighbors with treats. New to this? Here’s a good post to get started.
Have a spooky/kookie movie marathon. Here are 13 scary movies to add to your watchlist. And I like to watch these YouTube videos with my kids when we’re getting excited about Halloween.
Visit a haunted house or forest. Wear a mask!
Dress in costume for Halloween. Ideas for boys costumes, girls costumes, and a few adult costume ideas from movies.
Listen to Halloween music. A few suggestions: Thriller, I Put a Spell On You, Psycho Killer, Creep
Eat candy corn + peanuts. Don’t @ me if you don’t like candy corn. I know it’s divisive! But I promise you might see candy corn differently if you add peanuts. Give it a shot!
Read Spooky Stories to Tell in the Dark to the kids.
Curl up with a suspense novel. Anything by Gillian Flynn, or perhaps some Agatha Christie. Here’s a list of 20 books to add to your spooky reading pile.
Learn the Thriller dance. Here’s a handy tutorial. You may have to watch it 3,000 times, but it does break down every step!
Watch Ghostbusters on Halloween evening. This is our tradition. Feel free to adapt and replace with your favorite movie!

🛒 IN THE SHOP
If you like spooky printables, check these out.

Thanksgiving

Create a grateful list. Have everyone in your immediate family create their own grateful list, then choose a few items to share before your holiday meal.
Make a classic Thanksgiving meal. Mine always includes bacon-wrapped asparagus.
Watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade.
Make turkey handprints with kids. In case you’ve forgotten how to make one. And don’t forget to have the kids sign and date it.
Make handmade holiday gifts to give friends and family. Here are some DIY gifts that don’t suck.
Put up the Christmas tree on Thanksgiving weekend. Our tradition!
Adopt a child/family for the holidays. This site provides links for finding people to adopt.