Author: Alyssa Craig
Fall is a great time of year! Between the beautiful weather, the beginning of the holiday season and the delicious treats, there is so much fun to be had. There are so many activities available that can incorporate some of the signature items of the season! As you are looking for fun activities to enjoy this time of year, make sure to include some of these great games for kids.
*Use your own best judgement to decide if the activity is suitable for the age group suggested.
Pass the Pumpkin
Indoor or Outdoor: Either
Age Group: 7+
Instructions: This game is similar to musical chairs. Rather than walking around a set of chairs, have the participants stand in a circle and pass around a small pumpkin while playing music. When the music stops, whoever is holding the pumpkin is out! Continue playing until there is one player left.
Gourd Bowling
Indoor or Outdoor: Either
Age Group: 7+
Instructions: Line up empty plastic soda or water bottles as the pins and use different sizes of gourds as bowling balls. The more bumpy and misshapen the gourd, the more challenging it will be to roll the gourd where you want it to go!
Foot Volleyball
Indoor or Outdoor: Indoor
Age Group: 12+
Instructions: Choose a room that is open, with plenty of floor space. Players will be put on two teams and lined up on either side of string that serves at the “net”. They must remain in the “crab crawl” position (on all fours with stomach side up) throughout the game and use only their feet to hit a balloon back and forth over the net. The same rules as volleyball apply – if the balloon hits the ground, the point goes to the other team.
The Squirrel Game
Indoor or Outdoor: Outdoor
Age Group: 5-10
Instructions: Rake up a pile of leaves and hide some large nuts on the bottom of the pile. On your count, let the kids jump into the pile and search for the nuts, like a squirrel saving up for the winter. The object of the game is to be the “squirrel” who acquires the most nuts in a set amount of time. Be wary of letting older children play at the same time as younger ones, in case it gets too competitive.
Cornhole
Indoor or Outdoor: Outdoor
Age Group: 7+
Instructions: Line up at least 15 feet away from the cornhole board and take turns tossing bean bags. One point per bean bag that makes it in the hole.
Pin the Wart on the Witch
Indoor or Outdoor: Indoor
Age Group: 6+
Instructions: Have fun with the Halloween season by making a big witch face out of paper. Cut out circles to be the warts and then play in the same way you would “pin the tail on the donkey” – blindfolded! For the older kids, spin them around a few times before letting them attempt to place the wart on the witch’s face.
Hopscotch
Indoor or Outdoor: Outdoor
Age Group: 7+
Instructions: Use chalk to draw a hopscotch board on the driveway and use a rock or a pine cone from the yard to mark the block that will not be in use that round. Players then hop through the course, putting only one foot in each block, skipping the block with the rock/pine cone. Since this game is played on hard concrete, help your child to wear good footwear and to be aware of what they are doing, so they don’t fall and scrape their knees. Don’t forget to check out these other great games to try on concrete surfaces too!
Touch Football
Indoor or Outdoor: Outdoor
Age Group: 10+
Instructions: Go to a park or a backyard with plenty of space to run. Split up into two teams and play a fun game of touch football – no tackling allowed! Be mindful of the ages of the kids playing and make sure they are compatible with each other.
As your kids look for fun fall activities this season, encourage them to get creative and add their own unique flare to each game, especially the more familiar ones. They can enjoy the outdoors while the weather holds up and if there’s a rainy fall day, there is plenty to do indoors. Fall is truly a magical time. Don’t let it go to waste!