The Ultimate Fall Bucket List for Broke People {with free printable}

Fall is just around the corner, and before you know it you will be taking your kids out trick or treating and drinking pumpkin spice lattes again. There are a lot of bucket lists out there that focus on activities ranging from going on a hayride to carving pumpkins.

But what if you’re a little strapped for cash this year? There are no fall bucket lists out there for people without any money to spare this fall. If you have no money to spend, or very little, here is how you can maximize your fun this fall with a Fall Bucket List for Broke People.

Jump in a pile of leaves

Something that costs no money but is tons of fun? Why not jump into a pile of leaves! Just remember to leave your wet sucker at home.

Enjoy the seasonal produce

Whether you’re going to the farmer’s market or shopping at your local store, you’re sure to find pumpkins, gourds, butternut squash, apples and more. These are perfect for creating some delicious fall favorites including apple crisp or even homemade apple cider.

Make your own caramel apples or candy apples

Caramel and candy apples can be made for less than $1 per apple at home depending on your ingredients! All you need to do is get some caramel and apples and you have a tasty fall treat at home.

Have a bonfire and roast marshmallows

Create your own fire pit at home and roast some marshmallows. You can even go a step further and make s’mores if you want to. Don’t have room for a fire pit? Try this indoor s’mores version!

Take a drive to see the fall foliage

Take a drive to see all the wonder and beauty of fall around you. From the vibrant colors to the changing skies, you’re sure to find beauty in nature.

Go for a picnic and see the fall foliage

Pack your own food and take your picnic basket to somewhere with a great view of the falling leaves. Make sure to bring blankets just in case it’s a little colder than you were anticipating.

Roasting Sticks, Ezire Marshmallow Roasting Sticks, Set of 83-Layer Most Durable Outdoor Blanket/Picnic BlanketFire Pit Square Table with Screen Cover

Have your own fall photography session

Take a walk in your neighborhood or go for a drive and capture the beauty of the fall colors with your camera. Whether you have fancy DSL-R or just your phone, you can capture some amazing shots!

Make your own pumpkin spice latte

Don’t spend $5+ on a Starbucks version, make your own at home for half the cost. Check out this copycat recipe!

Go through a corn maze

Many corn mazes won’t charge but a few dollars for hours of enjoyment. Look around to make sure you are going on the cheapest day, and when it’s less crowded.

Find free fall events in your city or state

Every city has something going on during the fall months. From county and state fairs to craft shows, you can find some wonderful events to check out for free or a minimal entry fee.

Visit a pumpkin patch

Pumpkin patches are the very thing that screams fall. You can buy baby pumpkins that are $1 and paint them, or just enjoy your time at the pumpkin patch.

Decorate or carve pumpkins together

If your kids are old enough, you can print out some simple templates to help them find and follow a pattern to carve. However, if your children are too young for carving pumpkins, consider decorating them instead! It can be just as fun but without the mess – or a little less mess. We love buying some glitter glue at the Dollar Store (you get 6 for $1) and just let the kids have at it.

Roast Pumpkin Seeds

Don’t forget to save those seeds when you clean out your pumpkin! The only reason I ever carved pumpkins growing up was so I could roast the pumpkin seeds. It is still one of my favorite treats, so we buy at least one pumpkin to carve just for me to have seeds! Give this recipe a try!

Make your own fall favorites

Fall has so many delicious recipes! Make your own candy or caramel apples, pumpkin bread, and even pumpkin spice lattes at home. Look up recipes online for inspiration if you need to, but anything you make at home will be much cheaper than the store-bought versions.

Go on a fall themed scavenger hunt

Whether you decide to make your own, or print one off, going on a fall themed scavenger hunt can be a great way to get outside and have fun with the entire family.

Create a fall themed craft

Have a crafting day at home and have everyone do a fall themed craft together. You don’t all have to do the same craft, but just don’t them all together can be a fun bonding experience.

Have a football party at home

If your family loves football, why not have a football party at home? You can make special treats for your favorite team, dress up for the occasion and enjoy some fun with your family and friends.

Read fall themed books as a family

Check out a few fall themed books from the library and read them together as a family. You can read a new book each day, and even take turns reading them if you’d like.

We’re Going on a Leaf HuntThere Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves!Goodbye Summer, Hello AutumnApples and PumpkinsThe Biggest Pumpkin EverFancy Nancy and the Fall Foliage

Go on a hayride

Hayrides are a like the quintessential fall activity. My kids love going on hayrides, even if there is no hay involved. There’s just something about sitting back, relaxing and enjoying the crisp fall air as you talk, tell jokes or just take in the changing of the season.

Play flashlight tag

This is another favorite from my childhood and now my kids love it too! All you need is a flashlight, some friends and maybe a jacket if it’s cold. There are several versions of this game, but one is similar to the traditional hide-and-seek, except in the dark. Use the flashlights to help you find a hiding place, then the “seeker” counts and finds you while using their flashlight. The other is that players “hide” in somewhat plain sight and the “seeker” only needs to flash their light on you to be found. Don’t like those ideas? Create your own game!

Make leaf art and rubbings

My kids love making leaf rubbings. Collect leaves on your nature walks and let the kids create their own collage with leaves, sticks and fall items. Or grab some paper and let them do their own leaf rubbings. My kids will sit and do them for hours after they gather leaves. They love them!

Fall doesn’t have to be boring! All of these ideas are free or nearly free, which is perfect for those on a budget or saving for the upcoming holidays!

Want a copy of these ideas to display on your fridge, at the family command center or just to hang up in your home? Grab our free printable set! It includes two pages – one you can use to mark off the items as you complete them together and one for display!

What are your favorite fall bucket list items? What would you add?

Download yours today!

Every year we set up a bucket list to try and work in all our kids wishes for the season. As you can imagine with 6 kids, the budget can get thin rather quickly. That’s why I put together this Ultimate Fall Bucket List & Subway Art set for you! Download your set absolutely FREE!