Camping as a family is all about making memories and spending quality time together. And fall– right after a busy summer and just before the holidays– is the perfect time to rekindle family time. This fall is all about revisiting childhood favorites with the whole family. Experience the best parts of camping during this season. Make the ultimate, cozy, and super fun family memories.
Table Of Contents
In this blog, we discuss the best fall activities to enjoy as a family on a camping trip. From horseback riding to campfire snacks to childhood classics.
Campfire Corn on the Cob
Before winter arrives, indulge in the last of fresh corn on the cob on your family camping trip this season! Gather around the campfire, wrap some husks in foil, and set them to roast. Corn on the cob isn’t just a nostalgic childhood snack– it’s delicious! Add a little natural char from the campfire, and you’re golden. The whole family can enjoy munching on this with dinner or as a snack. Spice it up by adding your favorite seasonings. Bonus points if you buy it from a local farm!
Go Horseback Riding
Riding horses is fun all year round, but there is an undeniable magic to riding in the crisp autumn air. Get the whole family involved and sign up for a horseback riding tour. Whether you’re at a national park or a local campground, camping and equestrian sports just seem to go hand in hand. Get a unique lay of the land and view of the autumn leaves at a slower pace. All the while, you get to connect with amazing animals, and as a family.
Hay Rides and Corn Mazes
Two of the most classic fall-time activities are hay rides and corn mazes. But this year, don’t wait until you visit the pumpkin patch– enjoy these activities on a camping trip! See if your campground or national park hosts any autumn-time activities like these, or visit a local farm close to your campground. There is nothing like the child-like joy of riding a tractor through the fields. Or like getting lost with your friends in the corn maze.
Leaf Peeping
It simply isn’t fall without a little leaf peeping action. The vibrant gold, red, and orange hues of autumn are a fleeting phenomenon, so make it a point to see these amazing colors before they all disappear! There are so many amazing scenic destinations to see the leaves. Right from your own campsite, on a road trip, or hiking.
Get everyone involved with a tree identification game. Everyone could try to guess the tree based on its fallen leaf. Bring sketchbooks for the kids or take photos. Bring back some fallen leaves for arts and crafts, too! Or simply soak up the beautiful autumn scenery.
Fall-Themed S’mores
Spice up your s’mores for the autumn season! We all love the classic marshmallow, chocolate, and graham cracker. But the new season creates room to make new fall favorites! Things like peanut butter and almond butter add yummy, nutty flavors. Put a “back-to-school spin on it by adding jelly! If you bring fresh autumn apples, thinly slice them and add a caramel drizzle for a candied apple s’more. Or, keep it simple and sweet with a dash of cinnamon and sugar. However you choose to enjoy s’mores around the campfire, the whole family will no doubt enjoy it and the quality time that comes with it!
Wildlife Viewing
Catch the last glimpses of amazing wildlife before winter sets in! Elk, migratory birds, and bears can all be spotted around this time of year. Depending on your camping location, find out what animals are active.
Remember your binoculars, a hat, and whatever else helps give great viewing experiences. And don’t forget to layer! Temperatures are colder, and the weather is less predictable in the fall. So, spending hours outside watching animals might just get you caught in the rain!
Rainy Day Tent Activities
It’s fall, so the likelihood of rainfall on your camping trip is a little higher! When the weather is poor, don’t let it take away from your fall family fun! There are plenty of things to do inside the tent to make the time go by. Some of your favorite indoor rainy day activities translate easily to a tent. Reading books, story times, arts and crafts, and sipping a cup of hot cocoa all liven up the mood during rain showers! For even more fun, download a movie and project it onto the wall of the tent. It’s like a mini home theater!
Bobbing for Apples
Can’t remember the last time you went bobbing for apples? That means it’s probably time to bring it back! And this time, get the whole crew involved. This is a super fun, fall-themed activity that gets everybody laughing. Plus, who doesn’t like a little family-friendly competition now and then?
It’s simple to set up. Fill a bucket with water (you could fill up at the campsite water spigot). Then, with freshly picked apples or ones you’ve brought from home, add them to the water and watch as they float! It’s a silly, messy time as you “bob” for apples. That is, try to catch one in your mouth without using your hands! Kids will love this silly game, and adults will enjoy the throwback autumn vibes.
Autumn-Themed Nature Scavenger Hunt
Take your classic nature scavenger hunt and turn it autumn-themed! You can include all the usual things, plus some fun seasonal additions. Since the weather is changing, try to search for different types of clouds in the sky. Obviously, look for certain colors and types of leaves. Keep an eye out for various animals that like to come out in the fall, like elk and some migratory birds.
It’s a great opportunity to stay engaged as a family on a hike, and also to learn a thing or two about nature! For fair-weather campers, it broadens perspectives towards the beauty of nature this season.
Host Thanksgiving at Camp
You read that right– try having Thanksgiving at camp this year! Sure, it may not be the whole extended family, football on the TV, and a massive multi-course dinner. But it will be a friendly game of touch football, quality family time, and dinner over the fire. If you’re looking to find gratitude in the great outdoors, let a holiday camping trip inspire you. And who knows? This may just be the start of a fun new family tradition.
Decorate the Family Tent for Fall
End a day of fun, camping, and family time in the perfect autumn tent. Create the perfect, cozy environment to enjoy all these family activities. Touches of soft lighting from lanterns and string lights give an instant magical feel. Create a colorful garland from fallen leaves that you found on your scavenger hunt to hang outside the tent door.
A tent stove provides precious warmth, and of course, a spot to make hot cocoa, which is an absolute must on a family camping trip. Throw down lots of cozy rugs, blankets, and pillows for a comfy, inviting space to lounge. Bring a speaker to set the vibe, and play a family playlist for the camping trip! Little details like this are easy to do and go a long ways to make a tent feel more like home.
Final Thoughts
The great outdoors has so much to offer on a family camping trip, and the autumn season just makes it more fun! There are all kinds of ways to create homemade memories from creative activities right at your own campground.
For those who want to share the magic of their own childhood with the kids, try out classic fall activities. Going on a hay ride, munching on corn on the cob, and bobbing for apples all offer that bit of nostalgia we’re all chasing.
And the fun doesn’t just stop at classic fall activities! With the holidays approaching, you could use this as an opportunity to start a new tradition. Try hosting Thanksgiving at the campground. Or switch up your favorite activities, like scavenger hunts to be seasonally themed.
However you choose to spend your time camping as a family, come back after a day of exploring to a tent that feels just as cozy as home in the fall. Meaningful touches of warmth and comfort really turn the tent into a home-away-from-home. Then, you can enjoy endless nights of cozy autumn family time on your camping trips.
With just a little extra creativity and resourcefulness, autumn can become one of the most fun seasons for a family camping trip. It’s intentional moments around the campfire or on a rainy day inside the tent that really create magical family memories and traditions no one will forget.
Happy camping!
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