Lifestyle

Create Your Perfect Fall Bucket List With These 32 Awesome Ideas

September 30, 2022

A windy road surrounded by trees with colorful fall leaves.

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The best fall bucket list ideas to help you create your perfect fall bucket list this season.

Fall always seems to go by too quickly. One minute it’s Labor Day weekend, and the next you’re pulling out the Christmas decorations. If you’ve ever intended to do a bunch of fun fall activities but never got around to doing them, then creating a fall bucket list is the way to go.

Once you select the activities you’d like to do for your list, it’s easy to refer back to it, and it acts as a motivator for making sure you fit some bucket list items into your fall season. There’s something so satisfying about checking off an item from a list, especially when it’s something you really want to do.

Fall has a bit of a magic quality to it. It always feels like a new beginning, thanks to it being the start of a new school year (whether it’s still ingrained in your mind from when you were a kid, or if you have kids of your own). The leaves are turning all sorts of magical colors, and there’s that fresh smell of fall in the air. You get to trade t-shirts and shorts for sweaters and jeans, and the temperature is more comfortable.

Below we’ve come up with what we consider to be the best fall bucket list ideas that you can use as a jumping off point for creating your perfect fall bucket list.

This article is about the best fall bucket list ideas for adults, couples, families, or friends that are both fun and attainable.

An apple tree filled with apples, with text that says, "fall bucket list: go apple picking."

1. Go apple picking.

Apple picking is a quintessential fall bucket list item that’s fun for both adults and children. You can use the apples you pick to make a variety of delicious recipes, and apple orchards can offer other fun fall activities and treats, like hayrides and apple cider donuts.

An apple pie on a table, with text that says, "fall bucket list: bake an apple pie."

2. Bake an apple pie or a pumpkin pie.

With so many freshly picked apples, baking an apple pie (or apple crisp or apple cobbler) is a great way to use some of them. Pumpkin pie is another good fall pie option if fruity desserts aren’t your thing.

A park with a foot bridge over a pond surrounded with trees with colorful fall foliage, and text that says, "fall bucket list: go on a nature walk."

3. Go on a hike or nature walk so you can enjoy the pretty fall leaves.

Fall is the perfect time of year to go hiking. The weather is a comfortable temperature for outdoor activities, and the leaves are beautiful in the fall. Whether you hike a rugged trail up a mountain or walk a paved path around your local lake, you won’t regret spending time outdoors this time of year.

Someone sitting under a blanket with a book on their lap and holding a cup of tea, with text that says, "fall bucket list: read under a cozy blanket."

4. Read a fall-themed book under a cozy blanket.

With the weather getting cooler, there’s nothing better than sitting under a cozy blanket and getting lost in a good book. Even better if the book is fall-themed! Check out our list of 10 Fall Books to Get Cozy With if you need some ideas.

A pot filled with orange peel and herbs, with text that says, "fall bucket list: make a fall simmer pot."

5. Make a fall simmer pot so your house smells like fall goodness.

A simmer pot is another term used for stovetop potpourri. By boiling water and simmering fall spices, citrus, cinnamon sticks, and any other fall fruits or herbs of your choice, you can make your home smell absolutely amazing. The best part is that it’s all-natural!

A front door of a house with a fall wreath on it, with text that says, "fall bucket list: hang a fall wreath."

6. Hang a fall wreath on your front door.

Add a fun touch to your home by hanging a festive fall wreath on your front door. There are so many great options to choose from, ranging from colorful fall leaves to combinations of other natural elements like pinecones, sunflowers, and pumpkins. You can even go Halloween-themed with your wreath.

Three sweaters in the colors ochre, cream, and brown, with text that says, "fall bucket list: wear fall colors."

7. Wear fall colors.

Now’s the time to bring rich fall hues back into your wardrobe color palette — think marigold, ochre, deep reds, dark greens, browns, taupe, terracotta, off-white, and orange.

A cappuccino with a ghost decorated on top, with text that says, "fall bucket list: enjoy a fun fall drink."

8. Drink a pumpkin spice latte, apple cider, or your favorite fall beverage.

Is everyone really as crazy for pumpkin spice lattes as the internet has us believe?! Either way, there are a bunch of other tasty fall drinks if they’re not your thing, like apple cider, hot chocolate, or this fall harvest tea assortment.

A farm stand filled with vegetables including cauliflower, broccoli, radishes, cabbage, and lettuces, with text that says, "fall bucket list: go to the farmers market."

9. Go to the farmers market for local in-season ingredients.

Support local farms and pick up the freshest local in-season ingredients for your meals. You can also usually find other great local items at the farmers market like honey, jams, and flowers.

A bowl of butternut squash soup on a table, with text that says, "fall bucket list: make a fall soup."

10. Make a hearty fall soup from scratch.

Once you have your fresh local ingredients from the farmers market, you can make a hearty fall soup or chili. There are tons of great fall soup options on Pinterest.

A tabletop decorated with pumpkins, candles, and string lights, with text that says, "fall bucket list: decorate for Halloween."

11. Decorate your house for Halloween.

It’s fun to decorate your house for Halloween, whether inside or outside. There are so many different ways you can decorate, from cute to spooky. The most popular time to start decorating for Halloween is the beginning of October, but you can decorate in September if you feel enthusiastic about it. Another option is to start with decorations that are more fall-themed in September and incorporate Halloween decorations in October.

A field filled with pumpkins, with text that says, "fall bucket list: visit a pumpkin patch."

12. Visit a pumpkin patch.

Visiting a pumpkin patch is a fun way to select pumpkins to decorate your front porch with or to carve a jack-o’-lantern.

A pumpkin with a jack-o-lantern face drawn on it and someone's hand removing the eye of the jack-o-lantern, with text that says, "fall bucket list: carve a pumpkin."

13. Carve or paint a pumpkin.

Carving a jack-o’-lantern is a quintessential Halloween activity for all ages. You can design your pumpkin yourself, or there are many free templates to be found online. Another fun option is painting pumpkins. And don’t forget to save the seeds…

A cast iron skillet filled with roasted pumpkin seeds, with text that says, "fall bucket list: roast pumpkin seeds."

14. Roast pumpkin seeds for a healthy snack.

Instead of throwing your pumpkin seeds in the garbage while carving your pumpkin, put them aside to roast for a healthy snack. They’re not only delicious, but filled with valuable nutrients and antioxidants.

The ground covered in brown leaves, with text that says, "fall bucket list: step on crunchy leaves."

15. Step on crunchy leaves outside.

There’s just something so satisfying about stepping on crunchy leaves in the fall.

A woman eating popcorn and a bowl of popcorn, with text that says, "fall bucket list: a fun halloween movie."

16. Watch a fun Halloween movie.

There are too many fun Halloween movies to name, but some classics are Hocus Pocus, The Addams Family, The Witches, Practical Magic, Beetlejuice, and Casper.

An television with a full moon and clouds on the screen, with text that says, "fall bucket list: watch a scary movie."

17. Watch a scary Halloween movie.

If you like being spooked around Halloween, a scary movie can be fun to watch. Some classic scary movies to check out are Halloween, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Scream, Friday the 13th, The Exorcist, and The Sixth Sense.

Orange and yellow swirl cookies and candy corn, with text that says, "fall bucket list: make a Halloween dessert."

18. Make Halloween cookies or cupcakes and share with others.

Everyone loves themed baked goods, and they’re even better when shared.

A hand lighting a candle, with text that says, "fall bucket list: burn a fall candle."

19. Burn a fall scented candle.

Fall candles help us to get in the cozy fall mood, and are fun to burn while reading a book, watching a movie, knitting, or any other quiet activity at home. These delicious-sounding fall candles from Bath & Body Works are hard to resist.

A dog wearing an orange polka-dot bandanna, with text that says, "fall bucket list: get your dog a fall toy."

20. Gift your dog or cat a fun seasonal toy.

Why not let your pets get in the fall spirit, too?! We’ve rounded up the cutest fall and Halloween dog toys so your pup can have a happy and fun season.

Chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers, and a fire in the background, with text that says, "fall bucket list: make s'mores."

21. Make s’mores in your backyard.

Fall is fire pit season, and it feels so good to gather around the fire when the air is crisp. Make your night extra special by making s’mores in your fire pit (or in your kitchen, if you don’t have a fire pit) and eat them outside.

A person sitting at an outdoor restaurant table with a plate of food, with text that says, "fall bucket list: eat lunch outdoors."

22. Eat lunch at an outdoor restaurant you’ve never been to and enjoy the nice fall weather.

Fall is the perfect time to eat outdoors — not too hot, not too cold. Enjoy lunch on the patio of a restaurant you’ve been meaning to try, or revisit an old favorite.

A windy road surrounded by colorful fall foliage, and text that says, "fall bucket list: take a scenic drive."

23. Go for a scenic drive to view the fall foliage.

If you can’t get enough of the beautiful fall foliage colors, taking a scenic drive is a great way to take it all in. The best time to view fall foliage changes yearly based on weather and other factors, so check your local tourism website to see when the best time to view the colorful fall leaves is this year.

Hands holding a cell phone with a picture of tree with yellow leaves, with text that says, "fall bucket list: post a fall photo online."

24. Post a fall-themed photo or video on your social media.

Fall is so picturesque, making it the perfect opportunity to take some photos or videos on a nature walk, of your kids, of your dog, or of you and your significant other, and share with your family and friends on your Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or YouTube.

A hand with a painted finger nail holding a nail polish bottle, and text that says, "fall bucket list: paint nails a fall color."

25. Paint your nails a fall color, or try a new fall lipstick shade.

A new season means your makeup can use a refresh. With so many great fall shades to choose from, it won’t be hard to find a fun new nail or lip color. If you’re looking for inspiration for great fall nail colors, check out our list of 15 Fabulous Fall Nail Polish Colors You Need to Try.

A pitcher and two wine glasses with a red sangria drink, and an apple and cinnamon sticks on the table, with text that says, "fall bucket list: make a fun fall cocktail."

26. Make a fun fall cocktail or mocktail.

It’s fun to try new things, including drinks. Make a fancy fall cocktail like fall sangria, a blackberry bourbon smash, a cider margarita, an appletini, or an apple-cranberry moscow mule. There are tons of fall cocktail recipes on Pinterest. You can also leave out the alcohol and make a fancy mocktail that everyone can enjoy.

A close up of hands knitting something, with text that says, "fall bucket list: try a new hobby."

27. Try a new hobby, or return to one you enjoy.

Summer can be a busy time filled with long days spent outside, vacations, and reconnecting with family and friends, making it hard to have time for hobbies new and old. Fall is a great time to get back to your favorite hobbies or start one you’ve been wanting to try.

A phone that says "halloween playlist" on the screen, and a pair of headphones, with text that says, "fall bucket list: listen to halloween songs."

28. Listen to fun Halloween songs.

Fill your playlist with classics like “Monster Mash” – Bobby Pickett, “I Put a Spell On You” – Better Midler (the version from Hocus Pocus), “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” – Blue Öyster Cult, and “Ghostbusters” – Ray Parker Jr., and let loose. If you’re having a Halloween party, a Halloween-themed playlist is a must!

An football player running with a football and fans visible in the background, with text that says, "fall bucket list: support local sports."

29. Support your local high school or college sports team by attending a home game.

The tickets are inexpensive and most likely go towards supporting campus activities or the school band. It’s a fun activity for the whole family that can help make you feel a part of your community.

A phone on a table with a pile of colorful fall leaves on the screen, with text that says, "fall bucket list: get a fun phone wallpaper."

30. Change your phone wallpaper to something fun for fall.

The change of seasons is a great time for a phone wallpaper refresh. Check out our 10 Cool Free Phone Wallpapers for Fall to find your new phone wallpaper.

An image of puzzle pieces, with text that says, "fall bucket list: start a puzzle."

31. Start a puzzle.

Puzzles have a tendency to draw people to them if they’re out on the table. You might be walking by and decide to spend 15 minutes working on it, and the next thing you know, an hour has passed and the whole family is gathered around having fun together.

An image with text that says, "fall bucket list: donate unused items." And a person placing 5 pairs of jeans into a box marked "donate."

32. Donate items you no longer wear or use.

With the holiday season on the horizon, now is a smart time to get rid of clothes and other “stuff” you and your family no longer have a use for. By donating these unused items, you’re not only freeing up space in your home for the inevitable influx of holiday gifts, but you’re also providing for others during a time when your donations are needed most.

How to Create Your Perfect Fall Bucket List

There are numerous ways you can create your perfect fall bucket list. You can write a list down on paper, you can make a list on your phone, or — our favorite — you can create your own fall bucket list mood board on Pinterest for inspiration.

Decide if you’re creating this fall bucket list just for you, for you and someone else — like a significant other, best friend, or roommate — or for you and your family?

Think about which items or activities will bring you the most happiness, inner peace, joy, or relaxation, and select items accordingly. You can start with your favorite ideas from this list, and can also add items to your list that we didn’t include here.

If you’re creating a fall bucket list on Pinterest, you can easily pin your favorite fall bucket list ideas from above by hovering over an image and clicking the “pin it” button that appears.

The great thing is that by creating a fall bucket list in any form, you’re more likely to do some of the items. And don’t feel obligated to complete everything on your list, because then it becomes more of a chore than something fun. If you run out of time, there’s always next fall.

This article was about the best fall bucket list ideas, and how you can create your own fall bucket list.

Whether you’re looking for ideas for a fall bucket list for adults, a fall bucket list for couples, a fall bucket list for families, or a fall bucket list for friends, the ideas above should appeal to everyone, which gives you a great starting point for creating your own fall bucket list.

Which of these fall bucket list items are you most excited about? Do you have something on your fall bucket list that isn’t included here? Let us know in the comments.

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