October Family Bucket List: 31 Fun Ideas (+ Free Printable)

Celebrate October with this fun family bucket list! 31 simple and kid-friendly fall activities, from pumpkin patches to Halloween crafts, perfect for toddlers, preschoolers and elementary kids.

image shows a family in a pumpkin patch with blog post title

Fall is in full swing, and October is one of the best times of year to slow down, soak up the crisp air, and make memories with your family. From pumpkin patches to cozy nights at home, this month is bursting with opportunities for fun.

That’s why I put together this October family bucket list filled with 30+ simple, kid-friendly activities you can do all month long. Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventures, cozy at-home fun, or seasonal traditions that make October magical, this list has you covered.

And if you love printables, don’t forget — you can also grab the free October Bucket List Printable to hang on your fridge or share with the kids so they can help pick what to do next! The link to the printable is just after the list of 31 activities, so you can check them out first.

👉 Looking for even more seasonal ideas? Don’t miss my free Halloween Scavenger Hunt Printable for Kids or these Halloween Would You Rather Questions for Kids!

🎃 31 Fun October Family Activities

Here’s the complete list of bucket list ideas for October so that you don’t even need to download if you don’t want to (though the printable makes it easy to hang on the fridge for the kids!).

🍂 Outdoor Adventures

October is the perfect time to take advantage of cooler weather and gorgeous fall colors. These outdoor family activities are a great way to enjoy the season before winter sets in.

Visit a pumpkin patch and pick your own pumpkins.
Go on a hayride through a local farm or orchard.
Take a nature walk to collect colorful fall leaves.
Use fall leaves and other found materials to make leaf people or animals.
Explore a local fall festival or craft fair.
Build a scarecrow for your yard together.
Find your way through a corn maze.
Go apple picking at a nearby orchard.
Ride bikes as a family on a crisp fall morning (or go on a stroller wander)
Plant bulbs in your garden to bloom next spring.
Take a walk at dusk to admire neighborhood Halloween decorations.

🏡 Cozy At-Home Fun

Some of the best October memories can be made right at home. These activities are easy to set up and perfect for toddlers, preschoolers and elementary-aged kids.

Bake pumpkin bread or muffins together.
Create leaf-rubbing art projects with crayons and paper.
Decorate mini pumpkins with paint, markers, or stickers. My kids love using these easy to grip washable tempera paint sticks for this.
Make caramel or candy apples.
Set up a hot chocolate bar with fun toppings.
Work on a fall-themed puzzle together.
Try a new soup recipe as a family (this tortellini soup is one of our favorites!)
Make spooky slime for Halloween.
Host a pumpkin-decorating contest at home.
Have a family board game night with seasonal snacks.

🎃 October Traditions

October is full of seasonal traditions that kids look forward to year after year. Add these ideas to your family calendar for extra-special memories.

Carve jack-o’-lanterns and roast the pumpkin seeds.
Hang Halloween decorations around the house.
Watch a family-friendly Halloween movie marathon.
Dress up in costumes for a family photo shoot.
Host a Halloween scavenger hunt indoors or outside.
Tell silly or kid-friendly ghost stories with flashlights.
Attend a Halloween parade, trunk-or-treat, or fall community event.
Work on a DIY costume together.
Go trick-or-treating in your neighborhood.
End the month with a Halloween dance party at home (these Halloween songs for kids make a great playlist!)

Download the Free Printable October Bucket List for Families

Love this list?

Click here to download the free printable October bucket list for families!

It’s perfect for hanging on your fridge this month and checking off the fun as you go, or letting your kids do it.

✨ Tips for Making the Most of Your October Family Bucket List

Hang it up: Put the printable October family bucket list on your fridge where everyone can see it.
Let kids choose: Each week, let your kids pick one or two activities from the list.
Plan ahead: Add activities like festivals, parades, or pumpkin patch trips to your family calendar early before the month fills up.
Keep it simple: Not every activity has to be big or complicated — sometimes the smallest traditions become the most meaningful.
Snap photos: Document your favorites so you can look back and see how your kids grow and change each year.

👉 Don’t miss these other family-friendly Halloween posts:

Final Thoughts on Your October Family Bucket List

The October family bucket list is a fun, simple way to make sure the month doesn’t slip away without celebrating the magic of fall. From pumpkin patches to Halloween night, these 30 ideas are a great mix of outdoor adventures, cozy at-home fun, and classic seasonal traditions.

So grab the free printable, gather your little ones, and start checking off this list. You’ll be surprised at how much joy a few intentional activities can bring to your family this season.

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October Family Bucket List: 31 Fun Ideas (+ Free Printable)