Fall is upon us! It’s getting cooler outside, but is still comfortable enough where there are plenty of outdoor fall baby activities you can do with your small human.
It’s not as hot as summer, so you don’t have to worry about your baby overheating or getting burnt by the sun. And, it’s not as cold as winter, so you don’t have to worry about your baby being too cold. You can easily dress your baby up appropriately, bring a jacket or blanket, and head on out.
The Fall Baby Activities That Are Most Worth Your Time
But what should you do? You can do much more than you probably realize you can! If they are super young, they will likely just sleep all or most of the time. If they are more mobile, they’ll likely need some entertainment.
Nevertheless, there are so many fun fall activities that you can do even with your baby! If you’re not sure, here’s a list of ones you should try as a family. They’re all ones that I did with my baby, and I’m so glad I did!
1) Visit a Pumpin Patch
We all know you need that obligatory photo of your baby surrounded by pumpkins… or that obligatory photo of your baby in a pumpkin! Heading to the pumpkin patch is so fun for the whole family and a great way to get outside and give your baby some fresh air.
If your baby is older, they may be curious about the pumpkins and enjoy seeing all of them together in the patch. If you have a toddler or older, have them choose a pumpkin to take home. Then you can decorate it together!
2) Visit a Jack-O-Lantern Show
There are so many different jack-o-lantern shows near me. Show may not be the right word – they’re showings of different carvings; some simple and some elaborate. This fall activity can be fun for not just your baby but also for you!
We took my baby to one at our local zoo when he was just a few months old. Of course he had no idea what the carvings on the pumpkins were, but he loved all the different lights and contrasts.
3) Head to The Zoo
Fall is a great time to go to the zoo, as it’s not too hot. Walking around the zoo will be a lot more enjoyable – and should be a lot less smelly!
Spend the day at the zoo and talk to your baby – even if they can’t understand – about the animals they’re seeing and the noises that each animal makes. They’ll get a kick out of hearing you make the noises!
4) Go to the Vineyard or Brewery
No underage drinking here – we do not condone that. But we do condone mom and dad having a drink! It was so easy to take my baby to a vineyard or brewery when he was a baby baby; he mostly just slept in his bassinet and my husband and I got to enjoy some great wine.
You may not think of this as a fun fall activity with a baby, but if you love wine or beer, you should. Vineyards tend to be even easier, as most are open outdoor spaces that are easy to maneuver with a stroller.
5) Go Apple Picking – One of My Favorite Fall Baby Activities!
When you think fall activities, you probably think apple picking. Go and pick some apples! Your baby may not be big enough to pick some but you can. If they’re starting solids, you can then give them the apples to eat that you picked, which is a really cool moment.
Even if they are young, they’ll likely love seeing the big apple trees – I know my baby did! He could lay in his bassinet under a tree for hours, especially if there were things growing on them like apples!
6) Read Fall Books with Your Baby
Reading with your baby is so important, even when they have no idea what you’re saying. You’re exposing them to new words and pictures. It can be even more fun when you explore how to create this fall activity for your baby.
Get into the fall spirit by reading books about the fall together. There are plenty of great ones out there like “The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s First Fall” and ‘It’s Pumpkin Day, Mouse!”
7) Go Trick-Or-Treating
Halloween becomes so much more fun when you have a baby. Getting to dress them up and do a family costume (if that’s your thing!) is just straight up awesome. Even if your baby is young, dress them up.
If you’re not comfortable taking them trick or treating, that’s ok! You can always do a pretend little trick or treating celebration in your own home. If you are comfortable trick or treating with them, there’s your way of getting some candy for yourself!
8) Take Nature Walks
We all love going on walks with our baby. In the fall, there’s something a bit more romantic about it. The leaves are changing colors, making your walks even more beautiful.
Depending on the age of your baby, they may or may not notice the different colors, but you will, and you’ll get to see beauty all around you… including in your stroller! If your baby is more of a toddler, you can turn the nature walks into a fun fall activities by having them collect leaves, acorns, pine combs, etc. that you can then use to craft with.
9) Look at All the Decorations
Lots of people decorate their houses in the fall, whether it’s for Halloween, Thanksgiving, or just for the fall. Your baby will likely recognize and love the different lights, even from a young age.
Take a stroll around your neighborhood and see what decorations are up, or take a drive around and see if you can find any. Just remember your baby may not be able to really see any from their car seat!
10) Head to a Sunflower Festival
Babies like contrast, making a sunflower festival a fantastic place to take them thanks to the yellow and black contrast. Sunflowers are a big fall flower favorite, and many places have them on display during the fall months. They’re great photo opportunities for the family, too!
To Sum Up These Fun Fall Baby Activities…
Basically any fall fun you were planning on already doing, you can do with a baby. Just know that it will look a bit different than it did pre-kids… most likely thanks to all the things you need to prep and pack for beforehand!
About the Author
Michelle graduated from Fordham University with a Bachelors of Arts '13 and a Master of Arts '14. She's currently working in corporate America with a side of freelance writing. She wants you to learn from her experiences and mistakes so your 20s can be your best decade. When she's not working, she's likely planning her escape to a tropical island.