As much as I love summer and everything that comes with it, there really is something magical about autumn. I don’t know whether it’s the cosy feeling the season brings or simply the chance to slow down after the busy summer months, but it’s a season we all get very excited about in our house.
From mugs of hot chocolate and curling up under a blanket with a good book on my Kindle, to drawing the curtains a little earlier as the evenings become darker, autumn always feels like an invitation to embrace a slower pace of life. It’s that lovely bridge between the excitement of summer and the magic of Christmas.
One of the things I love most is that you can still spend plenty of time outdoors. It’s cool enough for chunky jumpers, cosy scarves, wellies and Barbour jackets, but not so cold that you want to stay inside all day. The countryside comes alive with rich autumn colours, making it the perfect season for family adventures.
We fully embrace autumn in our household, and these are some of our favourite ways to spend the season together.
Visit a Theme Park
We absolutely love a family day out at a theme park during autumn. Our favourites are Chessington World of Adventures and Legoland Windsor. Chessington wins for us because we all love the Vampire ride, while Legoland is worth visiting for the Monster Party ride alone! Visiting outside of the peak summer season also tends to feel a little more relaxed.
Explore National Trust Gardens
An autumn walk around a local National Trust property is one of our favourite weekend activities. There’s something so peaceful about wandering through the gardens as the leaves begin to change colour. We often grab a Starbucks on the way, pull on our wellies and cosy jumpers, and spend the morning exploring before heading home feeling refreshed.
Create the Ultimate Hot Chocolate Station
As soon as autumn arrives, our kitchen transforms into a hot chocolate station.
Our essentials include:
- Oat milk
- Instant hot chocolate
- Vegan whipped cream
- Marshmallows (vegan of course)
It’s become one of our favourite family traditions after a day outdoors.
Bake Cinnamon Rolls
We have absolutely no shame in admitting we cheat with these! The Jus-Rol Cinnamon Swirls from Tesco are incredibly easy to make, taste delicious and, even better, they’re vegan-friendly. Perfect for cosy autumn afternoons.
Visit a Pumpkin Patch
Would autumn even be complete without a trip to a pumpkin patch? If I’m being completely honest, we definitely go for the aesthetic as much as the pumpkins! But this year we’d love to bring one home and finally have a go at making our own pumpkin pie.
Host an Outdoor Cinema Night
One of our favourite family evenings is creating our own outdoor cinema. We simply hang up a white tablecloth, set up the projector and bring out the camping chairs. Add popcorn, hot chocolate, cosy blankets and a family film, and you’ve got a brilliant autumn evening.
Woodland Walks
Our local woodland is absolutely beautiful during autumn. Crunching through fallen leaves, spotting wildlife and breathing in the crisp air is the perfect way to clear your mind after spending too much time indoors. Sometimes the simplest days out end up being the most memorable.
Go Horse Riding
We actually prefer horse riding during the autumn months. The cooler temperatures are much more comfortable for both the horses and the riders, making it far more enjoyable than riding during the height of summer.
Enjoy Family Games and Movie Nights
As much as we love getting outdoors, we all know how unpredictable the British weather can be. When it’s wet, windy and miserable outside, we fully embrace cosy evenings at home with family games, movie nights and, of course, our Nintendo Switch. Animal Crossing is always a favourite, alongside Wii Sports and Mario Karts, which guarantees plenty of laughs (and a little healthy competition!).
Explore Beautiful Market Towns
We’re incredibly lucky to live in a market town and have several others nearby to explore. We love wandering around the independent shops, browsing local boutiques and hunting down vegan bakeries for a sweet treat or a warm drink.
Visit Local Farm Shops
Autumn is the perfect time to support local farm shops. We love picking up seasonal vegetables, discovering local produce and finding inspiration for comforting autumn meals.
Spend the Day at a Garden Centre
Garden centres are one of our favourite places to visit all year round, but there’s something especially cosy about them in autumn. We’ll happily spend ages browsing the plants and seasonal displays before finishing with breakfast, coffee or a slice of cake in the café.
Our Autumn Family Bucket List
For us, autumn is all about slowing down, spending quality time together and making memories. It doesn’t have to involve expensive days out or extravagant plans. Some of our happiest moments come from woodland walks, homemade hot chocolate and cosy evenings at home.
Whether you’re looking for autumn family activities, planning an autumn bucket list with your children or simply searching for new ways to enjoy the season, I hope this has given you a little inspiration. I’d love to know – what are your favourite things to do as a family during autumn?
