Cheap (or FREE) Fall Break Activities for the Whole Family

Fall break is the perfect time to make memories – the weather is beautiful, the kids are out of school, and there are plenty of family-friendly activities all around. “I’m bored,” will not be a part of your family’s vocabulary this year. These fun and practically free weekend activities will make you wish it was fall all year long!
Visit a Pumpkin Patch or Go Apple Picking
Is there anything more fall-tastic? A quick Google search can help you find local pumpkin patches and apple orchards, and you can usually find their cost as well. Then, load up the family and spend a sunny afternoon gathering pumpkins and picking apples! The fun certainly doesn’t end when you leave. Carve your pumpkins in preparation for Halloween, bake up the pumpkin seeds, or make some pumpkin and apple pies!
Brainstorm and Craft Halloween Costumes
Getting a head-start on Halloween costumes can be fun and take some stress off once the holiday gets closer. Work with your kids to brainstorm some creative and fun costumes and come up with ways that you can DIY it all! When you plan ahead, you can time your shopping to coincide with coupons and sales at craft stores like Michael’s, Joann, and Hobby Lobby. Need to jumpstart your creativity? Check out these clever Halloween costume ideas on a budget!
Host a Neighborhood Chili Cook-Off
Everyone loves a bowl of something warm on a crisp autumn day. Why not turn it into a tasty competition? Invite your neighborhood and your friends to bring over batches of their best homemade chili. Then, ask all guests to drop a dollar or two in a basket. Have everyone do a taste test and vote on their favorite… and the winner gets the basket of money!
Get Crafty With Nature
Some of the most beautiful craft supplies are in your backyard – and best of all, they’re free! Go outside with your kids and gather up pinecones, the ultimate natural craft supply. There are literally dozens of pinecone crafts to choose from! Paint your pinecones in warm fall colors and put them in a bowl for the ultimate table centerpiece. Add a pair of felt wings and some googly eyes to make adorable pinecone owls. Dust them in glitter and silver/gold paint to make Christmas ornaments and gifts.
Colorful fall leaves also make great crafting tools. Use them to make leaf people, coasters, paintings, bowls, wall art, necklaces, butterflies, magnets and more! Get leaf craft instructions and ideas on DIYnCrafts.com.
Go on a Family Scavenger Hunt
Don’t worry, you won’t need to spend hours planning out clues for your kids. With scavenger hunt apps and websites like Huntzz.com, you can find pre-made scavenger hunts all over the place! Spend a day with your family analyzing clues and hunting for free treasure.