21 Fun and Festive Fall Activities With Teens: Your Autumn Bucket List 🍁

Fall is the time of year when everything feels a little more magical—the crisp air, the golden leaves, and all the cozy sweaters.

My teen decided to take the reins this year by making a fall bucket list, and it’s been a blast so far! From making caramel apples to cozying up for scary movie marathons, we’ve been checking off all these fun fall activities perfect for teens!

21 Fun Fall Activities with Teens

Whether your teen is into outdoor adventures, cozy crafts, or just enjoying the crisp fall air, here are 20 activities that will make a fall-tastic season!

Outdoor Fall Activities with Teens 🍂

1. Apple Picking & Epic Pie Battles

There’s nothing quite like picking apples fresh from the orchard and then turning them into delicious pies. You can even turn it into a family bake-off, seeing who can make the tastiest apple creation. Bonus points for adding caramel or turning your apples into candy-coated masterpieces!

2. Corn Maze Craze

A corn maze during the day is all fun and games—twisting and turning through the stalks—but wait until night falls, and things get even more exciting! Whether you’re racing to beat your friends to the exit or getting lost in the maze, it’s a perfect fall adventure.

3. Pumpkin Patch Party & Carving Contest

Visiting a pumpkin patch is a fall staple, and it’s the perfect opportunity for a mini photoshoot! After picking the perfect pumpkins, bring them home and host a carving contest. Whether your teens want to go for spooky, funny, or artistic designs, this activity brings out the creativity in everyone.

4. Take in the Fall Foliage on a Hike

Fall’s changing colors are absolutely stunning, and there’s no better way to enjoy them than with a hike through nature. Whether you explore a local trail or make it a bigger adventure, soaking in the crisp air and fiery leaves makes the perfect fall day. Maybe you will even spot wild turkeys!

5. Leaf Pile Jumping Extravaganza

You’re never too old to dive into a giant pile of leaves! Teens will love the nostalgia and carefree fun of gathering leaves into the biggest pile possible and then cannonballing into them. Snap some mid-jump photos for ultimate fall vibes!

6. Day & Night Hayrides

Hayrides are a quintessential fall experience, but they come in two flavors—chill daytime rides with cozy blankets and scenic views, and spooky nighttime haunted hayrides! For teens who love a good scare, grab some friends and brave the dark. Haunted hayrides come with plenty of ghosts, creatures, and heart-stopping thrills. Once the ride’s over, relax by the bonfire with s’mores to recover from all the spooky fun.

7. Petting Zoo Fun & Cow Cuddling

Visit a local farm and spend the day with some adorable animals. Petting zoos are always a hit with teens (who doesn’t love goats?), but for a unique twist, try cow cuddling! It’s a surprisingly relaxing way to bond with these gentle giants, and it makes for a totally Instagram-worthy experience.

8. Pick Sunflowers & Fall Wildflowers

Who says fall is only about pumpkins? Head to a local farm or sunflower field, where you can pick wildflowers or sunflowers to brighten up your room. It’s a great way to capture that autumn beauty and bring it indoors—plus, it makes for a perfect photo-op!

9. Friday Night Football Fun

Football under the lights is quintessential fall. Grab some hot chocolate, bundle up, and head to a local game to cheer on your team. Whether you’re in it for the sports or the social scene, Friday night football is a must.

Cozy Indoor Fall Activities with Teens 🎃

10. Learn to Crochet or Knit

Why not pick up a new cozy craft this fall? Whether your teen wants to try crocheting a scarf or knitting a blanket, it’s a relaxing way to spend a chilly afternoon indoors. You can start with simple YouTube tutorials, and by the end of the season, you’ll have handmade cozy accessories perfect for the cold months ahead!

11. Bake Pumpkin Spice Treats

Pumpkin-flavored everything is one of the best parts of fall! Get in the kitchen with your teen and bake up some pumpkin spice cookies, muffins, or bread. Your house will smell like heaven, and you’ll have plenty of treats to snack on while watching a spooky movie later.

12. Movie Marathon with Spooky Flicks

Who doesn’t love a good movie marathon? Grab some blankets and queue up classic Halloween flicks or a few horror comedies to get into the spooky spirit. Add some popcorn, candy corn, and maybe even a hot cocoa for the full cozy fall experience!

13. Create Boo Baskets for Friends & Neighbors

Teens will love getting into the Halloween spirit by making “boo baskets.” Fill them with candy, spooky trinkets, and small surprises, and leave them on friends’ doorsteps anonymously. It’s a fun, creative way to spread some Halloween cheer!

14. Chill at a Cafe for some PSL love

Pumpkin spice lattes are fall’s unofficial drink, and they’re not just for Instagram pics (though that’s definitely a perk). After a day of adventuring, hit up your favorite cozy cafe for a PSL or hot chocolate and hang with your crew. Bring along a deck of cards or Uno for some added fun.

15. DIY Fall-Scented Candles

Make your home smell like fall by creating your own DIY candles with scents like apple, cinnamon, and pumpkin spice. It’s a fun craft, and the end result is a cozy candle perfect for lighting up those cool autumn nights. They also make awesome handmade gifts!

16. Hot Cocoa Bar Extravaganza

Turn a simple cup of hot cocoa into a full-on experience with a DIY hot cocoa bar! Set out toppings like whipped cream, sprinkles, and candy canes for everyone to customize their drinks. It’s the perfect way to warm up after a chilly day outside—or just to make an afternoon indoors feel extra special.

Thrilling Fall Activities With Teens 🎃

17. Go on a Ghost Tour

Many towns offer ghost tours that dive into the local spooky history. Whether or not you believe in ghosts, it’s a fun way to explore the darker side of your city while hearing eerie tales and legends.

18. Camping Under the Harvest Moon

No need to travel far for this fall adventure—set up a tent right in your backyard for a mini camping experience under the stars. Add a campfire for s’mores and tell ghost stories while you’re snuggled up in your sleeping bags.

19. Thrills at a Haunted Amusement Park

Many amusement parks get a spooky makeover in the fall, transforming rides and attractions into haunted mazes and ghostly fun. If your teen is into thrills and chills, head to a nearby amusement park and take on the haunted rides, creepy characters, and terrifying experiences. It’s a heart-racing way to get into the Halloween spirit.

Meaningful Fall Activities with Teens 🍁

20. Volunteer and Give Back

Fall is all about gratitude and giving back, making it the perfect time to volunteer with your teen. Whether you help out at a local food bank, join a park clean-up, or organize a clothing drive, volunteering is a great way to spend time together while making a difference in your community. Plus, it feels good to do good!

21. Start a Gratitude Journal

As the season of thanks, fall is a great time to start a gratitude journal. Encourage your teen to write down a few things they’re thankful for each day, whether it’s big or small. This simple habit can help foster positivity and mindfulness throughout the season.

Wrapping Up: Fun Fall Activities With Teens 🍂

From jumping into leaf piles to learning how to knit, there’s no shortage of fun and festive ways to enjoy the fall season with your teen.

This year, letting my teen plan our fall bucket list has made the season even more special, with new adventures and cozy traditions to share.

Whether you’re braving haunted hayrides or baking pumpkin spice treats, these activities are sure to create memories that last all season long. So grab a blanket, pour a cup of hot cocoa (or PSL!), and dive into the magic of fall together! 🎃🍁