Stories

The passing of the fall equinox officially marks the time when daylight dwindles and the night sky lingers. Autumn is an exciting time of year, filled with festive fun during Halloween and Thanksgiving. In the spirit of celebrating the seasons, we have suggestions for our favorite fall activities!

Take a Hike

Enjoying a trek through nature while the leaves are vibrant can be a breathtaking experience. While many think of hikes as an activity limited to the wilderness, a deeply wooded trail isn’t necessary to watch the stunning display of trees changing for the season. Plenty of parks have walking paths, but even a simple stroll down your street can open the door to the beauty surrounding you.

Make Fall Crafts

From pinecone people to leaf-laced garland, curling up on the couch with a craft is the perfect way to spend an autumn afternoon. Using supplies foraged from a nature walk cuts your cost, though, depending on your medium, a trip to the store may be necessary. Embracing your artistic side not only provides a way to entertain yourself but also lends itself to leveraging the products of your creativity as gifts for the people in your life. Felted figurines, comfy cardigans, and cozy candles are widely appealing and easily personalized into the perfect present. Plus, many of these items are small and simple to store until the holidays.

Visit Fall Festivals

Fall festivals provide you with the opportunity to go outside and support your community. As a place where local artisans often show their skills, you can make a positive impact while enjoying the electric environment fairs have to offer. You can often find handmade goods, and if you’re the type of person who likes to prepare, these unique items make excellent Christmas gifts for friends and family.

Host a Neighborhood Cookout

Community remains essential regardless of the time of year. Scheduling a block party can be difficult with summer vacations to consider, but hosting a neighborhood cookout in the fall mitigates that concern. The event can be as casual or elaborate as you like. A good playlist and “bring your own hotdogs” can go a long way, but if you want to take it up a notch, you can easily hold your own sporting event with field day games like potato sack relay races or Capture the Flag. Other ways to spruce up the fun include line dancing, bobbing for apples, or setting up a spooky scavenger hunt around your street.

Start a Bonfire

Lighting a cozy fire pit in the backyard can be enjoyable year-round, but there’s something magical about roasting marshmallows while the temperature drops and the air turns crisp. Whether you invite your friends and neighbors or keep it to yourself, a bonfire is the perfect way to unwind on the weekend. Just remember to always exercise caution around open flames, never leave a fire unattended, and if the weather is dry, double-check that your area isn’t under a burn ban.

Camp in the Backyard

You don’t have to travel to enjoy a night out in nature, and keeping close to home has considerable advantages. Camping in the backyard means you can worry less about the weather. Pick a clear night, set up your site, and enjoy the conveniences of your house (especially indoor plumbing) while spending time under the stars.

Tell Scary Stories

An integral part of humanity is sharing our stories, whether they’re from our own experiences (embellished for entertainment purposes) or complete fabrications from start to finish. Spinning a spooky tale combines human connection and celebrating the season. If you’re not a storyteller, plenty of games allow for a collaborative narrative—often with unexpectedly hilarious results. Above all else, focus on having a good time, and engage in the moment with the people around you.

Have a Seasonal Movie Night

Whether you’re a fan of horror or prefer The Great Pumpkin, there are plenty of fall flicks to watch. Hosting a seasonal movie night is an easy way to usher in autumn. You can simply watch a show and eat popcorn, or if you want to spruce things up, pull together a menu of themed snacks and an itinerary of relevant crafts to elevate the experience.

Enjoying a festive fall doesn’t require a hefty budget or heavy legwork. The key is to live in the moment and celebrate the seasons as they come.