10 Must-Do Outdoor Fall Activities for Kids

INSIDE: Ten outdoor fall activities for kids to get your children outside, running around, and having fun this autumn.

School is in session and autumn is on its way. Soon, temps and leaves will both begin to drop. Fall is a season full of energy and excitement. It is the perfect time to get kids on their feet.

Below you'll find outdoor autumn adventures that will get your child outside, running around, and having fun.

10 Must-Do Outdoor Fall Activities for Kids

Here are ten must-do outdoor fall activities for kids.

1. Looking for fun fall games for kids — Stick with the classics!

Don't underestimate the value of the classic games. There is a reason they continue to get passed down from one generation to the next. Here are five of my personal favorites:

2. One of our favorite outdoor fall activities for kids — Go on a color walk!

I've seen this idea floating around on Pinterest, and it makes me smile. Pick one color, get outside, and have your child start searching.

The website Playful Learning suggests a digital version too, "If you have a digital camera that your child can use, it can be fun to let them take pictures of all the yellow things, or green things, or whatever color you’ve chosen."

A colalge including a sunflower, a child holding a wild flower, and a boy pointing to a rose while a fall outdoor game — a color hunt.

3. Scavenger hunts are one of my favorite autumn activities for kids!

Kids love the details of autumn. Grab a scavenger hunt printable below or create your own list. It doesn't matter if you head out on a hike or to your backyard; it is a guaranteed adventure.

A collage of acorns, leaves, and children outside doing one of our favorite outdoor fall activities for kids — going on scavenger hunt

4. Geocaching can be a unique family activity for kids of all ages.

This has been on my to-do list all summer, "Geocaching is a modern-day treasure hunt using handheld GPS units (and even your iPhone!). The treasures are containers of all sizes that may be camouflaged to blend into their surroundings. Some are in locations you pass every day; others take you off the beaten path into a whole new world. Inside the cache, there will be at least a logbook to sign. The larger caches are filled with inexpensive trinkets for trade (like bouncy balls, stickers, Happy Meal toys, etc.)."

Collection of photos of kids geocaching.

5. When brainstorming outdoor fall activities, don't forget classic leaf play!

Grab a rake and "put your kids to work." They'll love it. There is nothing more satisfying than jumping into a pile of freshly raked leaves. Below are three unique ways to play with autumn leaves this fall:

Collage of kids outside in the yard walking through a maze of leaves.

6. Looking for fall outdoor games? Create an obstacle course!

My daughters are constantly creating crazy obstacle courses. You can get fancy and use noodles, PVC pines, and tunnels ... or simply make one using natural supplies like sticks, pine cones, and leaf piles. Either way, the kids will have a great time.

Insider's Tip: Time your kids using the stopwatch on your phone. This adds a new level of excitement.

Collage of photos of children doing backyard obstacle courses.

7. One of our favorite autumn activities? Becoming tree investigators!

Sometimes being a good parent is as simple as learning how to frame things to your kids. We no longer go on traditional "hikes." We do things like, spend the day working as "tree investigators." We are lucky to live in an area with beautiful scenery within a short drive.

If you live in a more urban area, don’t be discouraged; you can take a trek to your backyard or a local playground. Any place that has trees will do. Click here for four tools to help ensure your tree hike is a success. Below are a few additional resources for enjoying the woods with your children:

Collage of photos of kids hiking outside and sitting on trees.

8. Another classic autumn tradition? Going on an apple orchard adventure!

Get your kids out to an orchard and they are sure to run around as they pick. This is a wonderful family tradition. Below you'll find additional apple resources for after your trip:

Colalge of photos of kids picking apples at an orchard.

9. You don't always need to plan outdoor activities for kids. Sometimes it is fun to let them make up their own game.

The great thing about children is that they are so open-minded and creative. Let your kids create their own variations of games:

Kids with hula hoops and rakes making up fall games outside.

10. Run, Run, Run with your kids!

Moms are always looking for kid-friendly activities, but the truth is, sometimes children just want to do what you're doing. Take care of you.

This summer, I was inspired by this post, Running After a Dream, and I started jogging for the first time in my life. I began exercising by myself, but then my eight-year-old daughter asked to join me. The girl can hold her own! Tonight both of my daughters ran with me [See Instagram]. It has been a wonderful bonding experience.

Parents can influence their children at any age. My father started doing triathlons when he retired. You can see a photo of him running below. His passion has inspired his grandchildren and children to also compete.

This weekend my little Quinn is doing her first race, a 1K Chipmunk Run. Our family is also signed-up for a food charity 4K Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving. Whether you're running in your neighborhood or at an organized event, you make it special simply by including your child.

A collage of kids participating in races with their families.

Need a few more ideas?

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