As the days get shorter and we’re on the never-ending hunt for gloves, there’s something quite special about this time of year. The season invites us to slow down a little, savour the simple things, and make space for moments of family fun - the muddy boots, the cosy evenings, the hot chocolates that make it all worthwhile.
Whether you’re looking for easy weekend inspiration for the whole family, ideas for after-school adventures or ways to fill the holidays, we’ve gathered 40 simple, no-screen ideas to make the season sparkle.
Let’s start with your Autumn bucket list - 20 family-friendly autumn activities from the Practically Family crew:
1. Puddle Jumping
Grab the wellies and find the biggest puddle you can! Make it a competition for the biggest splash… just remember, grown-ups can jump too.
2. Make an Autumn Mask
Collect leaves, twigs and feathers, then turn them into a woodland creature mask. Perfect for pretend play or an autumn parade through the garden.
3. Make a Pine Cone Bird Feeder
Mix peanut butter and birdseed, spread it onto a pine cone and hang it in the garden. Your little ones can keep a “bird-spotting diary” of visitors.
4. Plant Spring Bulbs
It’s the perfect time to plant daffodils, tulips or crocuses. Let kids decorate plant markers - they’ll love checking for signs of growth later.
5. Jump in a Pile of Leaves
The golden rule: the bigger the pile, the better the jump! Add a challenge - who can find the leaf with the brightest colour?
6. Bake Seasonal Treats
Think apple muffins, cinnamon biscuits or pumpkin loaf. Let kids measure, stir and taste-test (because we all know licking the spoon is the best bit).
7. Create a Gratitude Jar
Write down little moments you’re thankful for - hot chocolate after school, extra bedtime cuddles - and read them together at the end of the season.
8. Collect Autumn Treasures
Conkers, acorns, feathers, twigs… turn your walk into a treasure hunt and make a nature display when you get home.
9. Write to a Friend
Encourage your children to send a handwritten note or drawing to a friend or family member. It’s a lovely way to slow down and chat about the things you want to share.
10. Leaf Rubbings
Place paper over a leaf and rub with crayons to reveal the pattern. Frame your favourites as seasonal art.
11. Have a Pyjama Day
Stay in PJs, make pancakes and build a blanket fort. Perfect for those days when going outside is not an option!
12. Build a Den
Use blankets, pegs and chairs - or head outside with sticks and tarpaulins. Add fairy lights for extra magic.
13. Play Conkers
A classic for a reason! Thread, tie, and let the competition begin (helmets optional).
14. Make a Mud Creation
Get messy! Mud cakes, twig soup, or stone cupcakes - it’s all about imagination and squelchy satisfaction.
15. Go Welly Wandering
Head somewhere new and let the kids lead the way. Their route might be more wiggly than straight line, but that’s half the fun.
16. Build a Bug Home
Stack sticks, pinecones, leaves and bark in a corner of the garden - then check who’s moved in later!
17. Autumn Scavenger Hunt
Make a list: something crunchy, something red, something round. Add prizes like a cup of cocoa for the winner. Don’t forget to grab our FREE scavenger hunt templates!
18. Fly a Kite
Crisp breezes and open skies? Perfection. Decorate your kite first with paint or stickers for a personal touch.
19. Go on a Night Walk
Wrap up warm, grab torches and go exploring after dark. Look for stars, owls or twinkling windows.
20. Cosy Up with a Book
End the day with a story, a blanket and your favourite snacks - simple, snuggly happiness. Here’s our tops picks for cosy reads.
1. Build a Snowman (or Mudman!)
If snow arrives, wonderful. If not - grab mud, leaves and sticks and make your own version!
2. Make Paper Snowflakes
Fold, snip and unfold to reveal wintery patterns. Hang them in windows for instant cheer.
3. Bake Gingerbread People
Decorate them as your family, pets or favourite story characters.
4. Have a Movie Marathon
Vote for your top family films and snuggle in with popcorn and hot chocolate. Arthur Christmas and ELF are absolute classics!
5. Do a Toy Swap
Trade toys or books with friends - it’s the easiest way to make old things feel new again.
6. Try Ice Painting
Freeze coloured water in ice cube trays, then paint with the melting blocks for magical, frosty art.
7. Feed the Birds
Make simple feeders or scatter seeds - it’s a joy watching robins and blue tits visit the garden.
8. Make Your Own Wrapping Paper
Use brown paper, paint and cookie cutters to stamp festive designs.
9. Go Star Spotting
Head outside on a clear night, wrap up warm and count how many constellations you can see.
10. Host a Winter Picnic
Pack hot chocolate, blankets and sandwiches and enjoy the crisp air together.
11. Make Hot Chocolate Stirrers
Dip spoons in melted chocolate, add sprinkles, let set, then stir into warm milk. Delicious science!
12. Have a Lights Walk
Take an evening stroll to spot Christmas lights - kids can rate them “sparkly,” “super sparkly,” or “WOW.”
13. Make a Family Calendar
Print favourite photos and add everyone’s birthdays, school events and holidays – a lovely gift for grandparents too!
14. Build a Mini Obstacle Course
Use cushions, chairs and tape - it’s great fun and burns off festive energy!
15. Do a Kindness Challenge
Set a goal to do one kind thing each day - write a thank-you note, hold a door, help siblings do their homework. Discover our Kindness Coupons here.
16. Make a Winter Sensory Bin
Fill a tray with rice, silver sequins and toy polar animals - instant indoor play.
17. Camp Out by the Tree
Sleep in sleeping bags beside your Christmas tree (or fairy lights) for a magical memory.
18. Bake and Deliver Treats
Make cookies or cupcakes and deliver them to neighbours or teachers - the sweetest way to spread joy.
19. Create a Wish Jar
Write down hopes for the year ahead and open them next December.
20. Dance in the Kitchen
Turn up the music, grab the wooden spoons and just… dance. Simple, silly, perfect.
Whether it’s jumping in leaves, painting with ice or spotting the first robin of winter, every small adventure adds up to big memories. You don’t need perfect weather or Pinterest-worthy crafts - just time together, a bit of curiosity and a sense of play.
For more fun, family-friendly ideas for the Autumn / Winter months (and a few sparks of magic along the way), sign up to our Practically Family newsletter - packed with easy inspiration, local events and joyful ways to make the most of every season.
Let’s start with your Autumn bucket list - 20 family-friendly autumn activities from the Practically Family crew:
20 Things to Do this Autumn:
1. Puddle Jumping
Grab the wellies and find the biggest puddle you can! Make it a competition for the biggest splash… just remember, grown-ups can jump too.
2. Make an Autumn Mask
Collect leaves, twigs and feathers, then turn them into a woodland creature mask. Perfect for pretend play or an autumn parade through the garden.
3. Make a Pine Cone Bird Feeder
Mix peanut butter and birdseed, spread it onto a pine cone and hang it in the garden. Your little ones can keep a “bird-spotting diary” of visitors.
4. Plant Spring Bulbs
It’s the perfect time to plant daffodils, tulips or crocuses. Let kids decorate plant markers - they’ll love checking for signs of growth later.
5. Jump in a Pile of Leaves
The golden rule: the bigger the pile, the better the jump! Add a challenge - who can find the leaf with the brightest colour?
6. Bake Seasonal Treats
Think apple muffins, cinnamon biscuits or pumpkin loaf. Let kids measure, stir and taste-test (because we all know licking the spoon is the best bit).
7. Create a Gratitude Jar
Write down little moments you’re thankful for - hot chocolate after school, extra bedtime cuddles - and read them together at the end of the season.
8. Collect Autumn Treasures
Conkers, acorns, feathers, twigs… turn your walk into a treasure hunt and make a nature display when you get home.
9. Write to a Friend
Encourage your children to send a handwritten note or drawing to a friend or family member. It’s a lovely way to slow down and chat about the things you want to share.
10. Leaf Rubbings
Place paper over a leaf and rub with crayons to reveal the pattern. Frame your favourites as seasonal art.
11. Have a Pyjama Day
Stay in PJs, make pancakes and build a blanket fort. Perfect for those days when going outside is not an option!
12. Build a Den
Use blankets, pegs and chairs - or head outside with sticks and tarpaulins. Add fairy lights for extra magic.
13. Play Conkers
A classic for a reason! Thread, tie, and let the competition begin (helmets optional).
14. Make a Mud Creation
Get messy! Mud cakes, twig soup, or stone cupcakes - it’s all about imagination and squelchy satisfaction.
15. Go Welly Wandering
Head somewhere new and let the kids lead the way. Their route might be more wiggly than straight line, but that’s half the fun.
16. Build a Bug Home
Stack sticks, pinecones, leaves and bark in a corner of the garden - then check who’s moved in later!
17. Autumn Scavenger Hunt
Make a list: something crunchy, something red, something round. Add prizes like a cup of cocoa for the winner. Don’t forget to grab our FREE scavenger hunt templates!
18. Fly a Kite
Crisp breezes and open skies? Perfection. Decorate your kite first with paint or stickers for a personal touch.
19. Go on a Night Walk
Wrap up warm, grab torches and go exploring after dark. Look for stars, owls or twinkling windows.
20. Cosy Up with a Book
End the day with a story, a blanket and your favourite snacks - simple, snuggly happiness. Here’s our tops picks for cosy reads.
Next up: 20 Family-Friendly things to do this Winter:
1. Build a Snowman (or Mudman!)
If snow arrives, wonderful. If not - grab mud, leaves and sticks and make your own version!
2. Make Paper Snowflakes
Fold, snip and unfold to reveal wintery patterns. Hang them in windows for instant cheer.
3. Bake Gingerbread People
Decorate them as your family, pets or favourite story characters.
4. Have a Movie Marathon
Vote for your top family films and snuggle in with popcorn and hot chocolate. Arthur Christmas and ELF are absolute classics!
5. Do a Toy Swap
Trade toys or books with friends - it’s the easiest way to make old things feel new again.
6. Try Ice Painting
Freeze coloured water in ice cube trays, then paint with the melting blocks for magical, frosty art.
7. Feed the Birds
Make simple feeders or scatter seeds - it’s a joy watching robins and blue tits visit the garden.
8. Make Your Own Wrapping Paper
Use brown paper, paint and cookie cutters to stamp festive designs.
9. Go Star Spotting
Head outside on a clear night, wrap up warm and count how many constellations you can see.
10. Host a Winter Picnic
Pack hot chocolate, blankets and sandwiches and enjoy the crisp air together.
11. Make Hot Chocolate Stirrers
Dip spoons in melted chocolate, add sprinkles, let set, then stir into warm milk. Delicious science!
12. Have a Lights Walk
Take an evening stroll to spot Christmas lights - kids can rate them “sparkly,” “super sparkly,” or “WOW.”
13. Make a Family Calendar
Print favourite photos and add everyone’s birthdays, school events and holidays – a lovely gift for grandparents too!
14. Build a Mini Obstacle Course
Use cushions, chairs and tape - it’s great fun and burns off festive energy!
15. Do a Kindness Challenge
Set a goal to do one kind thing each day - write a thank-you note, hold a door, help siblings do their homework. Discover our Kindness Coupons here.
16. Make a Winter Sensory Bin
Fill a tray with rice, silver sequins and toy polar animals - instant indoor play.
17. Camp Out by the Tree
Sleep in sleeping bags beside your Christmas tree (or fairy lights) for a magical memory.
18. Bake and Deliver Treats
Make cookies or cupcakes and deliver them to neighbours or teachers - the sweetest way to spread joy.
19. Create a Wish Jar
Write down hopes for the year ahead and open them next December.
20. Dance in the Kitchen
Turn up the music, grab the wooden spoons and just… dance. Simple, silly, perfect.
Make The Seasons Magical
Whether it’s jumping in leaves, painting with ice or spotting the first robin of winter, every small adventure adds up to big memories. You don’t need perfect weather or Pinterest-worthy crafts - just time together, a bit of curiosity and a sense of play.
For more fun, family-friendly ideas for the Autumn / Winter months (and a few sparks of magic along the way), sign up to our Practically Family newsletter - packed with easy inspiration, local events and joyful ways to make the most of every season.
Practically Family
07939 942334 (during Holiday Club weeks only)
