Fall is arguably one of my favorite seasons. It finally starts to cool off here in Vegas, it’s the start of all our birthdays and the fun holidays, and we can finally start enjoying those cozy treats.
But fall can get BUSY. Between school, sports, birthdays, and the holidays, it’s easy for the season to slip by without really enjoying it.
That’s why I put together this fall family bucket list. And unlike most of the lists you see online, this one isn’t just activities. I’ve included movies and shows to watch, books to read, cozy meals and treats to make, and easy traditions to start with your family.
Save it for this year, next year, or whenever you need a little fall inspiration. And if I missed one of your favorites, let me know in the comments so we can keep making this resource better.
We already have enough things to remember as moms. Let’s put all the fun fall stuff in one place so we don’t have to remember that, too. 😂
Don’t know where to start?
Pick just three things this fall:
- One place to go.
- One cozy night at home.
- One treat to make together.
That’s it. You don’t need to do everything on this list to have a memorable fall. 🤎
This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Fall Family Activities to Do Together
Looking for a few fun things to do together this fall? I’ve rounded up some of our favorite classic fall activities and separated them into things you can do at home and outings worth adding to your calendar. Whether you have an entire Saturday free or just a cozy evening at home, there’s something for everyone.
Fall Fun at Home
- Decorate pumpkins
- Carve pumpkins
- Go on a family walk or leaf hunt
- Make s’mores
- Have a backyard bonfire
- Family game night
- Halloween movie night
- Bake something together
- Make caramel apples
- Decorate the house for fall or Halloween
- Make a cozy rainy-day craft
- Neighborhood Halloween decoration walk
Fall Family Outings
- Visit a pumpkin patch
- Go apple picking at an orchard
- Explore a farmers market
- Pack a fall picnic
- Attend a local fall festival
- Get lost in a corn maze
- Visit a local coffee shop for a seasonal drink
- Take family photos
- Visit the library and pick out fall books
Cozy Fall Movies + Shows for the Whole Family
Is it even fall if you haven’t watched at least one nostalgic Halloween movie? Between the classic films I grew up watching and all the newer movies the girls love, we have plenty to choose from.
Some of these are cute Halloween fun, and others are genuinely creepy. I’ve included options for younger kids, older kids, and a few nostalgic favorites for us moms. Use your judgment based on what your kids enjoy!
Quick tip: Some of the movies below are available on Paramount+ or Peacock. If you have a Walmart+ membership, you can currently choose either Paramount+ Essential or Peacock Premium as your included streaming benefit.
This is actually how we get Paramount+! We also have the American Express Platinum Card, which currently offers up to a $12.95 monthly statement credit toward a monthly Walmart+ membership. So if you already have that card, make sure you’re actually using the perk. Between the free shipping/delivery and the included streaming benefit, it’s one of those benefits that’s easy to forget about.
Walmart+ membership: Click here to try 30 days Walmart+ for $1
Cozy Fall Watches For Everyone
| Movie/Show | Where to Watch | Why We Love It |
| It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown | Apple TV | Nostalgic family Halloween tradition |
| Hocus Pocus (1&2) | Disney+ | Classic Halloween movie night |
| Halloweentown | Disney+ | Disney Channel nostalgia |
| The Nightmare Before Christmas | Disney+ | When Halloween meets Christmas |
| Mickey’s Spooky Stories | Disney+ | Halloween fun for younger kids |
| Casper | Hulu / Peacock | Sweet, nostalgic ghost story |
| Hotel Transylvania | Paramount+/ Roku Channel / YouTube Free | Funny, kid-friendly monster movie |
| The Addams Family (1991) | Paramount+ | Original live-action nostalgia, dark humor |
| Addams Family Values (1993) | Paramount+ | Wednesday at summer camp |
| The Addams Family (2019) | Peacock | Animated introduction to the family |
| The Addams Family 2 (2021) | Peacock | Animated family road-trip adventure |
| Wednesday (series) | Netflix | Older tweens/teens; gothic mystery |
| Frankenweenie (2012) | Disney+ | Spooky, sweet, and a little emotional |
| Coraline | Hulu / Roku Channel | Beautifully creepy; better for older kids |
| Corpse Bride | Rent on Amazon Prime / Apple TV | Gothic romance with gorgeous stop-motion animation |
| Coco | Disney+ | Beautiful family story with music and emotion |
| Monsters Inc. | Disney+ | Monsters without the scary Halloween vibe |
| Pooh’s Heffalump Halloween Movie | Rent on Amazon Prime / Fandango | Gentle Halloween adventure for the little ones |
Cozy Fall Watches for Older Kids + Mom
These are some of the shows and movies Selene and I love watching together. Obviously, some are more intense than others, so check the ratings and decide what works for your family.
| Movie/Show | Where to Watch | Why We Love It |
| Harry Potter | HBO Max / Peacock | Cozy, magical movie marathon |
| Stranger Things | Netflix | ‘80s nostalgia, supernatural mysteries, and genuine scares |
| Twilight | Rent on Amazon Prime / Apple TV | Rainy-day nostalgia for mom and older kids |
| Gilmore Girls | Hulu | Peak cozy fall background television |
And for the moms: If you want something ridiculous after the kids go to bed, Scream Queens (2015) is a campy horror-comedy on Hulu. Definitely one to check the mature-content rating on.
Streaming availability was checked in September 2026 and may change. Some titles require rental or purchase.
Fall Books to Read Together
There is something about fall that makes me want to curl up with a good book and a cozy blanket. Reading is also such a great activity for kids of all ages, whether they’re reading independently or snuggling up with you for a bedtime story.
I’ve rounded up some of our favorite fall books and separated them by age, including a few cozy romances, fantasy reads, and slightly spicy options for us moms. 🙂
As always, I recommend checking your local library first! If you find something you absolutely love and want to add it to your collection, you can grab a copy at your favorite bookstore or through the links below. (All of the books are on my amazon storefront here)
Some book links below are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them, at no additional cost to you.
Preschool/Younger Kids
- Eek! Halloween!
- Spooky Pookie
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Creepy-Crawly Halloween
- Bluey’s Halloween Mix-and-Match
Elementary Age Kids
- Harry Potter Series (great for older elementary readers, but the books get progressively darker as the series continues)
- Baby-sitters Little Sister Karen’s Ghost
Tween/Teen Reads
Family Read Alouds
- How to Catch a Monster
- Cat’s Halloween
- The Gingerbread Man Trick-or-Treaters on the Loose
- Boo Stew
- Pig The Monster
Fall Reads for Mom: Cozy Romance, Fantasy + a Little Spice
Almost all of these books are now available on Kindle Unlimited! So amazing; if you have that, use it – because I bought a lot of these books before they were on there.
- The Pumpkin Spice Cafe – Laurie Gilmore (Kindle Unlimited)
- The Cinnamon Bun Book Store – Laurie Gilmore (Kindle Unlimited)
Both of these books are part of Laurie Gilmore’s Dream Harbor series, and these two are especially perfect for fall. They’re such cute, easy little reads, and I love them as palate cleansers between my romantasy books.
- Big Bad Wolf – Laurie Gilmore
- Wild Wicked Mate – Laurie Gilmore (releasing October 20, 2026)
The same author who wrote the Dream Harbor series also has a cozy little town with werewolves! I just finished Big Bad Wolf, and it was a nice little toe dip into romantasy if you’ve never read the genre before. It was cute, and I can’t wait to read the next book when it comes out in a few weeks.
- Poisoned Daughter – Sheila Masterson (Kindle Unlimited)
This was a darker romantasy, and by far one of my favorite reads of the year. The book cover itself is gorgeous, too!
Basically, a magical family marries off their daughter to their “frenemy” who lives in another village. They have to guard the walls against vampire/zombie-like monsters called the Drained. It has vampires, magic, and a main character whose kiss kills people.
It was fabulous. If you’re into romantasy, you have to read it.
- Heartless Hunter – Kristen Ciccarelli (Kindle Unlimited)
- Rebel Witch – Kristen Ciccarelli (Kindle Unlimited)
This is basically Bridgerton with witches. I loved it! It’s a two-book series and such a great read for this time of year.
What to Make or Bake This Fall
Fall is the start of baking season. Especially if you live in a hot climate like I do. 😂 I let my sourdough hibernate during the summer because I do not want to turn my oven on to 500 degrees when it’s already 100 degrees outside by the time I wake up.
Here are some delicious, cozy fall meals and treats to make this season. I’ve linked my recipes below, too, if you want to try them!
Cozy Meals
- Chili
- Soup, salad + bread night
Baked Goodies
- Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies
- Halloween M&M cookies
- Cinnamon rolls
Warm Beverages
- Apple cider
- Hot chocolate
Fun Boards
- Halloween snack board
- Homemade popcorn/movie-night snacks
Need to get actual dinners figured out between all the fall festivities? My 5-Night Dinner Reset can help with that, too. One less thing to think about. 🤎
Easy Fall Traditions to Start
Traditions don’t have to be elaborate or expensive to be memorable. Usually, some of the best memories come from the simplest things.
Here are a few ideas if you want to start a new fall tradition with your family:
- First fall movie night
- Annual pumpkin patch visit
- Family photos in the same spot every year
- Pick one new fall book each year
- Halloween pajamas
- First hot chocolate night
- Caramel apple night
- Fall baking day
- Let each kid pick one fall activity
Quality Time Is What Matters Most
The goal of this massive list is to give you ideas. You absolutely do not need to do everything on it to make fall special. In fact, please don’t! 😂
If you’re already a stressed-out, overstimulated mama, adding 25 more things to your calendar probably isn’t going to create the cozy vibe we’re going for. Pick a few favorites. Make a little Halloween snack board and watch a movie. Go for a walk and find some leaves. Spend an afternoon baking together.
And don’t forget about yourself! Between school, sports, work, and screens, it’s easy to forget to slow down and enjoy the season. So grab your favorite drink, read that cozy book, watch your favorite movie, and make memories with the people you love.
That’s what this whole thing is about.
Love ya!
Jules