🍂 Fun Things to Do This Fall for Homeschool Families
Fall is such a magical season for homeschool families… the crisp air, colorful leaves, cozy vibes, and endless opportunities to bring learning to life outside of the traditional classroom. Whether you’re looking for hands-on projects, seasonal field trips, or simple ways to enjoy the beauty of autumn together, here are some fun fall activities to try with your homeschool family.
🍁 Leaf Studies and Nature Walks
Take a walk in your local park, forest, or even around your neighborhood to collect leaves. Back at home, you can:
Identify different tree species.
Create leaf rubbings with crayons or colored pencils.
Start a leaf press journal.
Talk about why leaves change colors (a simple science lesson in chlorophyll and photosynthesis).
🎃 Pumpkin Learning
Pumpkins are perfect for fall-themed learning across subjects:
Math: Weigh and measure pumpkins, estimate the number of seeds, then count them.
Science: Study pumpkin growth cycles or dissect a pumpkin to observe its parts.
Art: Paint or carve pumpkins for seasonal creativity.
Cooking: Bake pumpkin muffins or soup together—practical life skills included!
🍎 Apple Adventures
Plan a trip to a local orchard to go apple picking. Extend the fun at home by:
Making apple cider or applesauce.
Exploring apple varieties and doing a taste test.
Graphing favorite types of apples (math + fun).
Reading fall-themed books like How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World.
🌽 Fall Festivals and Farm Visits
Many farms host harvest festivals, corn mazes, or hayrides in the fall. These outings give kids hands-on learning experiences about agriculture, animals, and community traditions—plus they’re just plain fun.
🔥 Cozy Fall Poetry and Storytelling
The season of shorter days and longer nights is perfect for cozying up with blankets and cocoa while reading fall-themed books or writing seasonal poetry. Try prompts like:
"Describe the sound of leaves crunching under your feet."
"Write about a pumpkin who comes to life at midnight."
"What would it feel like to be the wind in autumn?"
🖌️ Nature Crafts
Make pinecone bird feeders.
Build fairy houses from sticks, acorns, and leaves.
Create autumn wreaths or garlands to decorate your home.
🌌 Stargazing Nights
Fall skies are often clearer, making it a great time for stargazing. Bundle up, grab blankets, and learn constellations together. You could even tie it into mythology, science, or storytelling.
🦃 Thanksgiving Gratitude Projects
Incorporate gratitude and mindfulness into your homeschool routine by:
Creating a family gratitude tree.
Writing daily “thankful notes.”
Studying the history of Thanksgiving and discussing traditions around the world.
🥾 Hiking + Outdoor Learning
Cooler weather makes fall the perfect hiking season. Bring along a field guide or notebook for kids to sketch plants, bugs, or mushrooms they spot. Bonus: it doubles as PE and science!
☕ Seasonal Cooking + Baking
Invite your kids into the kitchen to learn life skills while cooking fall favorites—pumpkin bread, apple pie, roasted veggies, or spiced cider. Cooking together teaches math (measurements), science (chemical reactions), and teamwork.
Homeschooling in fall is full of opportunities to slow down, connect with nature, and enjoy family time while weaving in hands-on learning. From apple orchards to art projects, every activity becomes a chance to bond, explore, and create lasting memories.
🍂 What are your family’s favorite fall homeschool activities? Share them in the comments below. I’d love to hear your ideas!