Activities

12 Family Camping Activities for Fall

October 10, 2024

As the temperatures drop and the foliage bursts into vibrant shades, fall sets the stage for a fantastic family camping experience.

The pleasant weather is perfect for exploring the great outdoors, and nature’s seasonal transformation provides a stunning backdrop like no other.

What are some of the best activities to share with your family during a fall camping trip? Use this guide to help craft an unforgettable adventure filled with joy, togetherness, and a love for the natural world.

Embrace the Magic of Fall Camping

Autumn is a season of transformation and splendor, making it an ideal time for families to venture outdoors and embrace the joys of camping. The vibrant hues of the foliage, the earthy scent of pine, and the crisp, refreshing air create a perfect backdrop for creating cherished family moments.

While summer camping often steals the spotlight, fall camping presents a host of unique experiences that celebrate the cooler temperatures and the beauty of nature in this season.

From timeless outdoor pursuits like hiking and stargazing to seasonal favorites such as leaf-peeping and pumpkin carving, there’s an abundance of activities to delight every family member.

Whether you’re a camping veteran or a first-timer, these engaging family activities will make your fall camping adventure unforgettable.

A family of four on a fall hike on a sunny day.

1. Go on a Fall Foliage Hike

One of the best parts of summer camping is witnessing the incredible colors of autumn. Taking a family hike through the woods allows everyone to immerse themselves in nature and experience its beauty up close.

Tips for an Enjoyable Hike

  • Choose easy trails: If hiking with little ones, pick beginner-friendly trails that offer great views without being too strenuous.
  • Bring a leaf identification guide: Turn your hike into a learning experience by identifying different types of trees based on their leaves. Kids will love hunting for colorful leaves and learning about the environment.
  • Capture the moment: Encourage kids to take pictures or bring sketchbooks to draw their favorite scenes.

Closeup of a woman holding a s'more in front of a campfire.

2. Campfire Cooking and S’mores with a Twist

Fall’s cooler temperatures make campfires even more enjoyable, and what’s a camping trip without a meal cooked over the fire?

With some fall-inspired twists, family campfire cooking can go beyond traditional hot dogs and s’mores.

Campfire Cooking Ideas

  • Pumpkin spice s’mores: To add a seasonal twist to classic s’mores, swap regular chocolate for pumpkin spice chocolate or use ginger cookies instead of graham crackers.
  • Campfire chili: Prepare a warm, hearty chili in a Dutch oven over the fire. It’s perfect for chilly fall nights and easily customized to suit your family’s tastes.
  • Foil-pack meals: Try foil-wrapped meals like chicken, veggies, or sausages with potatoes. They’re easy to prep, cook, and clean up!

After dinner, gather around the fire for ghost stories and songs, or simply enjoy the peaceful sounds of nature as the evening settles in.

Fall-inspired campfire cooking adds warmth to chilly evenings. Learn how to make delicious meals around the campfire:

Children painting fall leaves an imprinting them on paper.3. Leaf Peeping and Nature Art Projects

Fall is synonymous with beautiful foliage, and leaf peeping is a great way to engage with nature.

Collecting vibrant leaves can turn into a creative session when you incorporate them into fun nature art projects.

Nature Art Activities

  • Leaf rubbing: Use paper and crayons to create leaf rubbings, allowing kids to observe the intricate details of each leaf.
  • Nature collages: Collect leaves, twigs, and acorns to make nature-inspired collages or even fall crowns.
  • Pressed eaves: Gather a few of the prettiest leaves, press them between wax paper or heavy books, and use them to create cards or decorations at home.

Leaf peeping and art projects are perfect ways to appreciate fall’s beauty while engaging with your surroundings:

Silhouette of mother and her two little children against starry night sky

4. Stargazing on Clear, Crisp Nights

Fall camping often provides clearer skies than in the summer months, making it perfect for stargazing.

As the nights grow longer and more relaxed, snuggling under blankets while spotting constellations becomes a magical family activity.

Tips for an Amazing Stargazing Experience

  • Bring a star map or app: Use a simple star map or an app to identify constellations, planets, and shooting stars.
  • Create a stargazing station: Set up blankets, pillows, and sleeping bags for a cozy stargazing spot. Bring along binoculars or a telescope for a closer look.
  • Tell myths and legends: Enhance the experience by sharing stories or myths related to the stars, such as Greek mythology or Native American tales.

Enjoy stargazing under fall’s clear skies, perfect for spotting constellations and planets. Learn more here:

Three young girls look at a map on the forest floor as part of a scavenger hunt.

5. Campground Scavenger Hunt

Set up a scavenger hunt at your campsite to turn it into an adventure zone.

This is a fantastic way to explore the surroundings and keep kids engaged.

Setting Up a Fall-Themed Scavenger Hunt

  • Make a list: Include fall-themed items like pinecones, acorns, colorful leaves, animal tracks, or bird feathers.
  • Team up: Divide the family into teams to make the hunt more competitive, or work together to find everything on the list.
  • Nature bingo: For younger kids, try using a nature bingo card that lets them mark off items as they spot them.

Scavenger hunts turn any campsite into a fun-filled exploration for children and adults alike.

Cropped view of young adult man and woman carving pumpkins outside on a crisp fall day.

6. Pumpkin Carving and Decorating

Pumpkin carving is a classic fall activity, and there’s no reason you can’t bring it along to the campground!

Bring a few pumpkins and some carving tools, or opt for painting if you’re camping with younger kids.

Pumpkin Fun at the Campsite

  • Pumpkin carving contest: Hold a family pumpkin carving contest with different categories, such as funniest, scariest, or most creative design.
  • Painted pumpkins: For a simpler, mess-free activity, bring some non-toxic paints and let the kids decorate their pumpkins however they like.
  • Pumpkin ring toss: Make a game out of it by using small pumpkins as targets for a ring toss competition.

Bring the festive spirit of fall to your campsite with pumpkin carving and decorating activities!

Father and young sun enjoying the outdoors on a fall day.

7. Wildlife Watching and Birding

Fall is an excellent time for observing wildlife as many animals prepare for winter or migrate to warmer climates.

Birdwatching and wildlife spotting can be relaxing and educational for the whole family.

Wildlife Watching Tips

  • Early mornings are best: The best time to spot animals is early morning or around dusk.
  • Binoculars and field guides: To make the experience even better, bring along binoculars and a bird or wildlife identification guide.
  • Animal tracking: After a rain, look for tracks in the mud. Kids will love guessing which animal made the tracks and following their paths.

Fall offers a chance to observe wildlife as animals prepare for winter or migrate to warmer climates.

Little girls pulling a wagon with pumpkins at a pumpkin patch.

8. Explore a Nearby Apple Orchard or Pumpkin Patch

If your campsite is near an apple orchard or pumpkin patch, take a day trip to pick apples or pumpkins.

This activity is fun and provides fresh produce for your campfire meals.

Fun Farm Activities

  • Apple picking: Spend an afternoon picking apples, then enjoy a picnic with fresh apple cider and pie. You can even take some apples back to camp to make caramel apples over the campfire!
  • Pumpkin picking: Let the kids pick out pumpkins to carve or paint at the campsite.

Make your fall camping trip extra special with a day trip to a pick-your-own apple orchard or pumpkin patch! Here’s how to find one near you:

Brother and sister walking along a fallen tree in a forest.

9. Build a DIY Outdoor Obstacle Course

Turn your campsite into an adventure playground by creating a DIY obstacle course using natural materials around the site.

This not only keeps the kids active but also encourages teamwork and creativity.

Obstacle Course Ideas

  • Log hopping: Find fallen logs to create a balance beam or stepping path.
  • Tug of war: Use a sturdy rope for a friendly family competition.
  • Crawl under or climb over obstacles: Set up branches or ropes as obstacles to either climb over or crawl under.

For inspiration on outdoor obstacle courses and family activities, read:

10. Storytelling Around the Campfire

Storytelling is a timeless camping tradition, but you can take it further by preparing themed stories or creating spooky tales to tell around the campfire.

Fall’s darker nights add a perfect atmosphere for ghost stories or sharing family memories.

Storytelling Tips

  • Campfire story circle: Have each family member contribute to a continuous story, where each person adds a part as it goes along.
  • Share legends and folklore: Research local legends or folklore related to your camping area for a fun and educational twist.
  • Use a lantern for mood: Illuminate a story with a lantern or flashlight for an extra eerie effect.

For some spooky campfire stories for kids, check out:

Silhouettes of five hikers at dusk with stars in the background.

11. Nighttime Nature Walk

Take advantage of the early sunset and head out on a nighttime nature walk. Bring along flashlights or glow sticks and explore the woods after dark.

Kids will be thrilled by the change in atmosphere, and the quiet of nighttime in the woods can be both exciting and calming.

Night Walk Tips

  • Look for nocturnal animals: Bring a guidebook to identify nocturnal creatures like owls, bats, and raccoons.
  • Sound scavenger hunt: Make a list of sounds to identify, such as rustling leaves, owl hoots, or the croak of frogs.
  • Glow stick trails: Mark the path with glow sticks so the younger kids feel safe and won’t wander off.

For more on the benefits of nighttime nature walks, review these tips:

A group of kids in sleeping bags watch a movie outdoors.

12. Outdoor Fall-Themed Movie Night

Transform your campsite into an outdoor movie theater by screening a family-friendly movie under the stars.

Fall’s cool, crisp evenings make it the perfect time to snuggle up with blankets and enjoy a film together.

Setting Up an Outdoor Movie Night

  • Bring a portable projector: A small, portable projector and a blank wall or a white sheet can quickly become your screen.
  • Pop some campfire popcorn: What’s a movie night without popcorn? Prepare fresh popcorn over the fire using a campfire popcorn maker or foil packets.
  • Add cozy vibes: Set up camping chairs, blankets, and pillows for a cozy, comfortable viewing experience.

Enjoy a relaxing evening after a day of outdoor activities with a movie that the whole family can enjoy! REI offers a helpful guide on creating the perfect outdoor movie setting:

Cherish the Beauty of Fall Camping

Camping during the fall gives families a unique chance to immerse themselves in nature and strengthen their bonds. Whether roasting marshmallows over a warm fire, trekking through forests adorned in autumn colors, or marveling at the stars in the clear night sky, the activities are limitless, and the memories you create will be cherished forever.

 

So, load up your gear, gather your loved ones, and set off for a fall camping experience that will leave a lasting impression. Be sure to check the weather, pack your essentials, and most

importantly—have a blast in the great outdoors! The stunning scenery, the serenity of nature, and the family’s happiness will resonate with you long after your adventure concludes.


Leslie K Hughes

Leslie is a travel writer, copywriter, and web designer who gets butterflies from telling stories through words and visuals.

Her voice comes from a place filled with passion, dreams, and lots of sugar. “Cake over steak” is her go-to motto.

With over 10 years of experience in crafting words, and years of embarking on travels that have taken this Montana girl to some incredible places, Leslie loves the adventures of both body and mind her writing takes her on.

To see what Leslie’s up to in the writing and design world, visit her website here.

 

Enjoy a Greater Slice of the Great Outdoors

Discover even more room to enjoy outdoor living with a KOA Patio Site®. These spacious sites offer your very own patio equipped with outdoor furniture and the perfect place for a fire. Wake up and enjoy a cup of coffee with the sunrise and spend an evening relaxing with family and friends.

Learn More