Go apple picking

Start your day with a yummy brunch and then walk it off at your local orchard picking apples. Don’t forget to load up on all of the other apple goodies while you’re there – some cider and turnovers are my go to.

Make soup for “Souptember”

I love soups at all times of the year, but Souptember is the perfect excuse to make a big batch of soup each week.

Make a fall playlist

Get all the fall feels by making your own playlist for the season.

Make homemade caramel apples

Try out a few varieties of caramel apples at home – traditional with nuts, or go gourmet with an apple pie spice caramel apple!

Try a new coffee shop

Hang out in a new spot and sip on your pumpkin spice latte.

Make ebelskivers

Celebrate the season with a change up to your at home brunch by making ebelskivers. Fill them with a spiced apple jam to really make it occasional.

Have a bonfire with s’mores

Quality conversation with friends is always good for the soul. Crowding around a bonfire on a crisp fall night is the perfect setting to really catch up with all of your close friends. Have blankets, drinks, and plenty of s’mores to keep everyone cozy.

Make a fancy barista drink

Try your hand at whipping up a fun drink for fall. Go classic with a pumpkin spice latte, or try something new like a red velvet hot cocoa or a London fog tea latte.

Do a fall craft

Make your own fall wreath, some autumn-y potpourri, or just arrange a pretty bouquet fit for a harvest table. If you have kids, let them get in on the fun or try a more kid-friendly craft like a fall themed wall hanging. Babyccino Kids has some of my favorite autumnal craft ideas for kids.

Go for a hike in nature

In my opinion, Fall has the best weather of the year: crisp air, golden light, and perfect temperatures. It’s the best time to soak up the outdoors. If you have kids, bring a basket and have them go on a scavenger hunt for all the fall nature things.

Go to the farmer’s market

I love farmer’s markets in the fall. Grab a latte and wander the rows, stocking up on fresh produce or cute gourds to use as decor.

Go to the pumpkin patch

Picking out your pumpkins to turn into jack o’lanterns is the classic quintessential fall to-do. Go all in and do the hay rack ride, buy the kettle corn, and splurge on the caramel apples.

Simmer apple cider on the stove

Nothing makes your house smell like the definition of hygee better than apple cider simmering away on the stovetop.

Read a book or poetry fit for fall

My toddler’s favorite fall book is “City Moon” by Rachael Cole and my favorite fall poem is “Lines Written in the Days of Growing Darkness” by Mary Oliver. Search out your own favorite book or poem to read each autumn.

Decorate for Halloween

Get into the spirit of the spooky season by decorating your home or yard. Or if you’re like my family, start watching the Home Depot Halloween marketing videos in July to get prepared…

Watch a scary movie

Get in the Halloween spirit by watching a scary movie. If that’s not your thing then try a movie to give you all the fall feels.

Go shopping on a small town’s main street

Want to feel like you’ve wandered onto the set of Gilmore Girls? Find a small, touristy town in the Fall. Many small towns have art fairs or other festivals in the Fall. Our midwest fav is Galena, Illinois.

Go to a football game

Fall isn’t complete without watching football, but putting on a cozy sweatshirt and tailgating makes it way more fun. (Go Hawks!)

Make snacks for a football Sunday with friends

Sometimes having friends over to watch football is just as much fun as going with friends to see an actual game. Have a mini Super Bowl Sunday before Super Bowl Sunday. Chili, pigs in a blanket, chicken wings…. all the works.

Carve pumpkins

Follow up your trip to the pumpkin patch by carving your pumpkins. Put some apple cider on the stove and bake the seeds from your pumpkins while you’re working. Bonus points if you put your baby in a pumpkin or get your toddler to wear a jack o’lantern on their head for a photo (just kidding…. but not really).

Have a Halloween party

Don’t have a friend that throws an annual Halloween party? Be that friend and start the tradition of hosting a costume party on Halloween.

Run a hot cocoa 5K (or any fun race!)

Check your calendar and add a fun run to your list. Fall is full of fun and easy 5Ks. My favorite is a hot cocoa run.

Light candles at dinner

Instead of dreading the darker evenings, celebrate them with a candle at the dinner table.

Celebrate the Fall Equinox

Bring in the season by doing something special on the fall equinox. Any of the things on this list will work! Make note to go out and view the moon that marks this day.

Make Apple Cake

This is our favorite recipe:

Set the table for Thanksgiving

Even if you aren’t hosting a turkey day gathering, set the dining room table with all the fancy things for a family dinner. My son and I like to create an elaborate centerpiece each year.

Don’t wait for Thanksgiving to note your gratitude

During the fall season keep a gratitude journal, a jar or just share a daily gratitude at the dinner table each night.