Fall Bucket List for Kids (Free Printable Template)

A fall bucket list is one of the easiest ways to make the season feel extra special for kids.

In our homeschool, it’s become a fun tradition that keeps us looking forward to cooler days, pumpkin treats, and time outdoors.

From apple picking and leaf collecting to cozy crafts and baking together, having a list gives us simple ideas ready to go.

It’s not about doing everything, but about making memories as a family. To make it even easier, I’ve put together a free printable fall bucket list template you can grab at the end of this post.

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Why Make a Fall Bucket List with Kids?

Creating a fall bucket list with kids turns the season into something they can look forward to and helps build family traditions.

Instead of rushing through busy school days, you have a simple way to pause and enjoy the little moments together.

A bucket list also mixes fun with learning, whether it’s trying new foods, exploring nature, or making seasonal crafts.

Most of all, it encourages kids to be curious and adventurous, giving them the chance to experience fall in ways they’ll remember long after the season ends.

Outdoor Autumn Activities for Kids

Short, doable, and learning-rich. Each idea includes quick teacher/mom tags.

• Pumpkin Patch Math Walk [PreK–8, 45–90 min, $$]
  Estimate pumpkin weight, count ridges, compare price per lb; younger kids choose by stem/handle size.
• Apple Picking + Tasting Graph [K–6, 60 min, $$]
  Taste 3–4 varieties, tally favorites, make a quick bar graph; add sensory adjectives (crisp, tart, sweet).
• Corn Maze Navigation [6+, 45–60 min, $$]
  Teach cardinal directions and the “left-hand rule”; older kids sketch a simple route map.
• Leaf Taxonomy Journal [PreK–8, 30 min, $]
  Collect/press leaves; sort by margin/venation; label with common + (optional) Latin names (e.g., maple = Acer).
• Migration Mini-Bio (Bird Walk) [K–8, 30–45 min, $]
  Do a 10-minute binocular count with tally marks; at home, look up one species’ fall route.
• Phenology Hike [All ages, 45–60 min, $]
  Note temp, leaf color stage, and first frost signs; write a 2-sentence claim-evidence-reasoning on “How far along is fall here?”
• Farmer’s Market Field Study [K–8, 30–45 min, $$]
  Identify in-season produce; compare unit prices; ask one vendor a question about growing/harvest.
• Community Cleanup With Metrics [All ages, 30–60 min, $]
  Weigh trash/recycling, sort by material, compute pounds per person; quick chat on waste streams.
• Backyard Constellation Night [6+, 30–45 min, $]
  Find Big Dipper/Cassiopeia, sketch a sky map, note light sources; introduce “light pollution” vocabulary.

Cozy Indoor Ideas for Your List

Rainy days don’t have to feel dull, these ideas mix literacy, math, science, and plenty of family connection.

• Pumpkin Bread Fractions [K–8, 60 min, $$]
  Kids measure ingredients, double or halve the recipe, then record fraction conversions. Warm slices become the reward.
• Caramel Apple Toppings Bar [PreK–8, 30–45 min, $$]
  Offer toppings in bowls; graph which ones are chosen most. Adds a tasty intro to data collection.
• Leaf Rubbing Science Page [PreK–5, 20 min, $]
  Compare leaf vein patterns under crayon rubbings; label broadleaf vs. needleleaf. Slip pages into a “Fall Field Guide.”
• Paper Bag Scarecrow Craft [PreK–4, 30 min, $]
  Combine cutting, gluing, and sequencing (head–body–arms). Practice fine motor plus storytelling when kids “introduce” their scarecrow.
• Gratitude Journal Routine [All ages, 5 min/day, $]
  Sentence starters for younger kids: “Today I liked….” Older kids write reflections. Builds SEL + writing habits.
• Pumpkin Seed Snack & Science [K–8, 30 min, $]
  Roast seeds, weigh before/after to track moisture loss; record crispness ratings. Easy tie-in to mass and observation.
• Puzzle Night Challenge [6+, 45–60 min, $$]
  Fall-themed jigsaw puzzles boost spatial reasoning. Set a timer, then talk strategies used (edges first, color sorting, etc.).
• Family Story Studio [K–8, 30–45 min, $]
  Write and illustrate a short fall tale together. Assign roles: author, illustrator, reader. Compile pages into a stapled booklet.
• Pumpkin Sink-or-Float Lab [K–6, 15–20 min, $]
  Test pumpkins of different sizes in water; predict results. Discuss density and buoyancy in simple terms.

Family Traditions That Stick

Traditions help kids connect seasons with memory and meaning. These ideas mix literacy, service, and creativity in ways that can become yearly rituals.

• Pumpkin Art Tradition [PreK–8, 45–60 min, $$]
  Younger kids paint while older kids carve simple designs. Take an annual photo with finished pumpkins to track growth and creativity.
• Gratitude Tree Practice [All ages, 5 min/day, $]
  Cut paper leaves; each day add one thankful note. Builds SEL and becomes a visible reminder of family values.
• Family Read-Aloud Night [PreK–8, 20–30 min, $]
  Choose a spooky or cozy book, rotate readers, and talk about characters. Creates literacy memories tied to fall evenings.
• Fall Scrapbook Chronicle [All ages, ongoing, $]
  Collect photos, tickets, and pressed leaves. Kids add captions or drawings. Over years, it becomes a seasonal family archive.
• Backyard Bonfire Stories [6+, 45–90 min, $$]
  Roast marshmallows, then share ghost or family tales. Oral storytelling strengthens imagination and listening skills.
• Homemade Costume Challenge [K–8, 1–2 hrs, $$]
  Let kids design from what’s on hand. Teaches resourcefulness, sewing/crafting, and creative problem solving.
• Neighbors’ Pumpkin Bread Drop-Off [All ages, 60 min, $$]
  Bake a loaf and let kids deliver with a note. Teaches generosity and community connection.
• Fall Memory Journal [All ages, 10 min/wk, $]
  Each family member writes or draws one favorite moment per week. Flip back next year to relive traditions.
• Friendsgiving Meal [All ages, 2–3 hrs, $$$]
  Invite family or friends; kids can set the table, design menus, or serve dessert. Teaches hospitality and gratitude.
• Fall Movie Night Discussion [All ages, 60–90 min, $]
  Choose a seasonal movie (e.g., It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown or a family-friendly fall classic). Afterward, kids can retell the story, act out a scene, or write/draw their favorite part. Adds literacy and comprehension practice to a cozy tradition.

Community & Kindness (Fall Edition)

Service-oriented traditions show kids that fall isn’t just about fun but also about contributing. Each idea adds a small educational or social-emotional learning (SEL) layer.

• Teacher Appreciation Notes [All ages, 15 min, $]
  Write or draw seasonal thank-you notes for teachers or school staff. Builds empathy and writing practice.
• Neighborhood Leaf Raking [All ages, 30–60 min, $]
  Rake for an older neighbor; younger kids can bag leaves, older kids track “bags filled” as a math exercise.
• Food Bank Math Project [K–8, 30–45 min, $]
  Collect canned goods; sort by type, tally totals, and make a quick bar chart before donating.
• Thank-You Cookie Drop [All ages, 45–60 min, $$]
  Bake a batch and deliver to firefighters, police, or postal workers. Kids practice gratitude with handwritten notes.
• Storytime & Art Share [PreK–5, 30–45 min, $]
  Attend a library fall storytime, then leave behind a seasonal bookmark or drawing for display.
• Nursing Home Card Delivery [All ages, 20–30 min, $]
  Kids design fall-themed cards with positive messages. Reading them aloud can boost confidence and brighten someone’s day.
• Charity Walk with Pledges [K–8, 1–2 hrs, $$]
  Join a fundraiser; kids ask family to pledge per lap or mile. Teaches goal-setting and community impact.
• Animal Shelter Helpers [All ages, 30–60 min, $]
  Collect towels, food, or toys. Younger kids draw “thank you pets” notes; older kids research shelter needs.
• Community Garden Bulb Planting [All ages, 45 min, $]
  Plant bulbs for spring blooms. Great way to teach delayed gratification and natural cycles.

How We Use the Fall Bucket List

In our home, the fall bucket list works best when it feels like a guide, not another assignment. I like to hang ours on the fridge so my son can see it and pick what he’s in the mood for.

Giving kids a little ownership makes them more excited to join in.

Sometimes we’ll circle a few activities at the start of the week, other times we just check one off when the day feels right.

If you print the blank version, it’s fun to let the kids add their own ideas, mine always sneaks in something like “make hot chocolate twice.”

Laminating the list is also handy if you want to reuse it year after year with dry-erase markers.

However you use it, the printable is really just a tool to make sure those cozy, seasonal moments don’t slip by unnoticed.

More Fall Printables to Pair

If you’re looking to stretch the fun even further, these free fall printables fit perfectly alongside the bucket list. They’re simple, seasonal activities that add variety without extra prep:

• Pumpkin Patch Scavenger Hunt – turn your visit into a playful challenge.
• Pumpkin Coloring Pages – a cozy art project for quiet afternoons.
• Apple Coloring Pages – tie in with apple picking or fall baking.
• Scarecrow Coloring Page – brings harvest themes to life with a simple, creative touch.
• Fall Scattergories – a word game that works for family nights.
• Fall Bingo – great for classrooms, parties, or just at home.
• Fall Handprint Templates – a sweet way to capture seasonal memories.

Get Your Free Printable Fall Bucket List Template Here!

The free printable fall bucket list comes in three versions: a bright colored design, a black-and-white option kids can color themselves, and a blank template where your family can fill in your own ideas.

If you don’t see the form below, click here to get the free bucket list.

Last Updated on 15 September 2025 by Clare Brown