Create Your Perfect Fall Bucket List With These 32 Awesome Ideas

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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…

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.

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

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.

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.

18. Make Halloween cookies or cupcakes and share with others.
Everyone loves themed baked goods, and they’re even better when shared.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.