72 Fall Bucket List Ideas and Free Printable Mini Planner
Plan a happy and memorable autumn with these 72 fun Fall Bucket List ideas and a simple 4-step system to make your fall bucket list a reality! Download a free printable mini planner with all 72 fall bucket list ideas,plus space to brainstorm and plan your own amazing autumn!
72 Fall Bucket List Ideas and Free Printable Mini Planner
I’m writing this on August 28th. I’m totally in the mood for fall. Even though it is 75 degrees outside, I’m wearing my favorite navy blue hoodie, I’m sipping a collagen chai tea latte, and burning a Salted Butterscotch candle from Bath & Body Works.
I’m also making my Fall Bucket List.
Fall is my favorite season and I always have a zillion things I want to do! Decorate my house inside and out, buy a new cozy sweater, drink a pumpkin spice latte on the very first day Starbucks offers them! (I just googled and I’ve already missed the first day - that was yesterday, lol.)
And go apple picking.
I used to go to a local orchard and pick apples with my family when I was a kid. For the past few years “picking apples” was on my mental to do list. Unfortunately I haven’t done it.
Why? Because a mental to do list, whether it’s for apple picking or losing 10 pounds or starting a workout program, is rarely enough to get ‘er done.
To make something happen, like a fall trip to an apple orchard, I have to be strategic. Actually plan to make it happen. So that’s what I’m doing.
In thinking about the things I want to do this fall - and there are so many! - I wanted to share my ideas with you. I have a free printable Fall Bucket List mini planner you can download. It includes 72 of the items I’ll list in this blog post, plus there’s blank space for you to brainstorm your own.
In this post I’ll share:
72 fun Fall Bucket List Ideas
How to make your plan a reality with a simple 4-step system
Helpful links to ideas and recipes
A free printable Fall Bucket List mini planner with all the ideas and space to brainstorm your own!
This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosures here.
72 Fun Fall Bucket List Ideas
There are so many fabulous things to do this time of year. I’ve listed 72 of my favorites but that is only the beginning. You may have ideas or traditions you want to do. That’s awesome! Use the printable Fall Bucket List to write your own, and use the 4 step plan I’ll share to make them happen.
Many of these ideas have links to recipes or more information, to help you make these bucket list ideas a reality.
1 - Go apple picking and enjoy crisp, delicious apples.
You can click HERE to find local apple and other you-pick farms in your local area.
2- Visit a local pumpkin patch.
Find local pumpkin patches (and pumpkin recipes) at Pumpkin Patches and More.
3 - Drink apple cider garnished with a cinnamon stick.
4 - Take family photos outdoors.
5 - Buy a new fall wreath for your door.
6 - Eat candy corn (or your favorite Halloween candy).
7 - Go on a hayride.
8 - Plan a Halloween party for adults or kids.
Here are 45 Halloween party ideas from HGTV.
9 - Go to a football game (pro, college, or high school).
10 - Rake leaves for a neighbor, and don’t forget to jump in a pile first!
11 - Check out local craft fairs or festivals.
12 - Make s’mores.
If you don’t have a grill, or don’t want to mess with roasting marshmallows, you can make yummy s’mores right in the oven. This recipe is from Food Network.
13 - Plant mums, or place a pot of mums on your front porch.
14 - Buy a new fall or winter jacket.
15 - Make an apple or pumpkin pie.
This recipe is the classic pumpkin pie recipe from Libby’s. Want a low carb version? Here is a keto pumpkin pie recipe from Low Carb Yum.
16 - Decorate your house for fall.
17 - Visit a corn maze.
18 - Watch scary movies.
19 - Decorate cookies for Halloween.
I love this Halloween cookie decorating set from Wilton (and you can buy it right from Amazon). However, if you don’t have the time or desire to bake your own cookies, check with a local grocery store or bakery. Some - like the Hyvee in Kansas City - offer pre-baked sugar cookies in Halloween shapes. That’s what I used for the cookies in the photo above!
20 - Visit a Haunted House.
21 - Plan a fall-themed party or open house.
22 - Carve a jack-o-lantern.
If you need a little help being creative, these easy pumpkin carving printable templates will be helpful!
23 - Have a bonfire, or light up your fire pit.
24 - Make chili.
The 21 Day Fix Turkey Chili recipe is my favorite recipe, though I always make it with beef.
25 - Do a craft project, with or without kids.
What craft have you wanted to do or get back into for a long time, but just haven’t?? Painting, knitting, scrapbooking, doodling, making clay sculptures… whatever! Unleash your inner artist. If you’re stumped for ideas, try these fun printable Halloween coloring pages for adults.
26 - Plan your Thanksgiving menu.
Need ideas? Pinterest is your best bet. Browse through Thanksgiving recipes or check out my Healthy Holidays board which has healthier versions of Thanksgiving and Christmas goodies. Also, if you’re dieting and want to keep Thanksgiving dinner guilt-free, check out this blog post: 9 Tips to Survive Thanksgiving Dinner on a Diet
27 - Count your blessings.
28 - Make a fall recipe you loved as a child.
29 - Roast pumpkin seeds.
Here is a simple recipe for traditional scoop-pumpkin-guts-and-throw-them-on-a-pan pumpkin seeds from Allrecipes. Honestly I cheat and buy roasted and salted pepitas from Amazon.
30 - Make a pumpkin smoothie or protein shake.
31 - Reorganize your closet and, if you keep seasonal clothes in another space, add your fall and winter clothing.
I always organize my closet at the start of a season. I try on EVERYTHING and make sure it fits. If not, it’s outta there! I only keep clothing that fits me right now in my closet. If you have clothes in several different sizes (and what woman doesn’t?!) you might find this blog post helpful: Should I Throw Away My Fat Clothes? The Pros, Cons, and a Compromise
32 - Volunteer at a soup kitchen.
33 - Send Halloween or Thanksgiving cards to friends and family.
When I was little my grandmothers always sent me cards for every occasion. I still treasure those cards. I try to do the same for the special people in my life. I generally go to a local Dollar Store where the cards are only 50 cents each and stock up for birthdays and holidays.
34 - Plan a fall picnic.
Here are some ideas on what to pack for your fall picnic.
35 - Start a gratitude journal.
I’ve been keeping a gratitude journal since the year 2000 when Oprah talked about writing down 5 things she was grateful for every day on her show. You can start a gratitude journal in any notebook, or even use your phone, or use these pretty gratitude printables like I do.
36 - Spice up your workout routine.
I <3 Beachbody workouts and use Beachbody on Demand so I have access to tons of exercise programs. I also love Refit which are super fun, free videos on YouTube.
37 - Start a Christmas savings account.
38 - Make (or buy) caramel apples.
You can do it the old-fashioned way by melting caramels (here is an easy recipe), use caramel apple wraps, or buy caramel apples locally or order gourmet ones online!
39 - Plan Halloween costumes for your kids, your pets, and you!
Shop your local Target or Walmart, order from Amazon, or look for seasonal Halloween stores to pop up in your neighborhood soon.
40 - Decorate your bed with fall-themed pillows.
41 - Make Thanksgiving place cards.
You can find free printable Thanksgiving place cards HERE.
42 - Go on a nature walk and collect pine cones and leaves.
43 - Drink a pumpkin spice latte!
Hit up your favorite coffee shop or try this recipe from Food Network.
44 - Make a healthier version of a Halloween treat.
45 - Trunk-or-treat at a local school or church.
46 - Buy (or make) cinnamon-scented pine cones.
I buy some every year from Michael’s. Here is a simple make-at-home recipe if you want to DIY it.
47 - Start a fall recipes board on Pinterest.
Create your own recipe board or follow me on Pinterest. I have lots of healthy recipes, plus a Healthy Halloween recipes and Healthy Holidays recipe boards.
48 - Use pumpkin or squash in a recipe.
You have to try this one pot cheesy pumpkin pasta recipe! You seriously just throw the ingredients in one pot and 20 minutes later have an amazing, comforting meal!
49 - Buy a new pair of boots.
50 - Find new places to walk outdoors (or inside when then weather gets icky).
51 - Burn a fall-scented candle.
Bath and Body Works candles are my absolute favorite candles, like the Salted Butterscotch I’m smelling right now!
52 - Consider supplementing with Vitamin D.
See why from WebMD. I order my Vitamin D from Amazon.
53 - Create some new fall meal plans.
54 - Bake pumpkin bread.
55 - Walk (or run) a fall 5k, and bring your friends and family.
Check your area for Halloween or Thanksgiving races. If you’ve never done a 5k before, most of the holiday-themed ones are walker- and family-friendly. Google “5k races near me” or enter your location on Active.com to find local events.
56 - Drink hot chocolate. Preferably with marshmallows!
Make traditional hot cocoa, low carb, low cal, or even dairy-free. So delish!
57 - Visit a Farmer’s Market.
58 - Cuddle up in a blanket and read a book.
59 - Treat yourself to fresh flowers in fall colors.
60 - Clean up the yard for winter. Or hire someone to do it for you.
61 - Buy a cozy new sweater.
62 - Make mulled wine or cider.
Here’s a yummy mulled wine recipe, and here is Bobby Flay’s mulled cider recipe. You’re welcome.
63 - Visit a local Oktoberfest or recreate your own with German beer, sauerkraut and sausage.
Find authentic German Oktoberfest recipes HERE.
64 - Buy fall-scented hand soaps.
Just like with candles, I love Bath and Body Works.
65 - Go camping, even in your own backyard.
66 - Decorate the front porch for fall.
67 - Make a pine cone bird feeder.
68 - Make cinnamon-scented play doh.
Here is an easy recipe.
69 - Perform a random act of kindness.
70 - Play backyard football or frisbee.
71 - Go on a drive to look at the leaves.
72 - Take lots of pictures and journal your fall memories!
4 simple steps to make your fall bucket list a reality.
Wishful thinking won’t magically transport you to a pumpkin patch or decorate your porch for fall. Just follow these simple steps.
1 . Brainstorm your Fall Bucket List.
Download the free printable LINK HERE and check off all the ideas that sound appealing. You can also brainstorm your own ideas on the blank paper.
2. Circle your favorites.
Of all the fall fun activities you’ve marked, which are the ones you want to FOR SURE do? Circle those.
3. Create a plan to make it happen.
If you want to go apple picking this season, it’s not as simple as adding “go apple picking” to your calendar, am I right? There is more than just one step to making it happen. You need to find an orchard, note the days and times they are open, decide who is going with you, choose a convenient date, etc.
For each Fall Bucket List item you’ve circled, break that activity down into all the small action steps needed to make it happen. You can do that on the blank lined paper in the free printable.
4. Add each action step to your calendar.
Take each of the small mini steps and add them to your planner or calendar. (I use this printable planner.) LINK Pick a specific date and time you WILL make it happen. Now all that’s left to do is to do the thing! By being purposeful you will create a happy and memorable fall season.
That’s it! You have 72 Fall Bucket List suggests, plus a super easy plan to make a few of those a reality. Be sure to download the printable mini planner and happy fall!
PS, if you have some Fall Bucket List items you’d like to share, feel free to post in the comments!
Don’t forget to PIN this post so you can find this post in the future!
