For many, autumn means the changing of leaves, the dipping of temperatures, and open opportunity for time spent outdoors. Given the often temperate days, outdoor fall activities are abundant — and you needn’t stray far from home to find plenty to do. Simply stepping out your back door offers multiple opportunities for outdoor fall activities at home for the whole family.
Whether you prefer quiet hobbies like birdwatching or more energetic pastimes like touch football, we’ve got a list of outdoor fall activities for you — just BYOC (Bring Your Own Cider).
1.) Create a Cozy, Hygge-Inspired Escape
Encourage intimate moments with family outdoors by creating an inviting outdoor living space with hygge-inspired cozy elements. While you might be familiar with hygge as a design style, the concept is so much more. Hygge is a way of life that champions slowing down and taking pleasure in the little things. Layering textiles like throw pillows and blankets on your cushioned outdoor furniture ensures memories can be made outdoors even on cooler days.
Capture the Warm Glow of Home
Nothing is quite as hygge as the irresistible golden glow of home on a chilly night. Establish that same welcoming twinkle in your deck design with permanent deck lights — or choose more temporary options like candles and lanterns.
2.) Keep Your Binoculars Close for Birdwatching
No matter where you live, birds are everywhere — and what better place for birdwatching than on your own back deck? The fall months are ideal for seeing birds you might not normally find in your area, thanks to many species’ migration south. Not sure how to get started? All it takes is a pair of binoculars, a birding guide to help with identification, and a journal to track down which species of birds you see.
3.) Create a Pinecone Birdfeeder
Give the kids a fun, seasonal craft to do and get the birds to come to you with pinecone birdfeeders. Pinecones, string or twine, peanut butter (or another nut butter), and bird seed is all you’ll need for this easy, kid-friendly project. To attract different types of birds to your home, be sure to use different varieties of bird seed on each pinecone.
4.) Collect Colorful Leaves
Autumn leaves are more than just a pretty sight; they can be used for quite a few outdoor fall activities to get the kids outdoors and engaged with nature. Looking for a pastime beyond the classic jumping-into-a-pile-of-leaves? Send the kids off on a scavenger hunt to find different kinds of fallen leaves. You can then press them into an album and do some research to label each one with the type of tree it came from, making the fun craft project educational, too.
5.) Host a “Friendsgiving” Dinner Alfresco
Get the gang together for a festive “friendsgiving” dinner outdoors. Place an outdoor dining set in an open area on your deck or patio to enjoy the twinkling stars above as you dine. Or, place your dining set under a covered deck feature such as a roof extension or pergola for a more secluded — and weather-resistant — dining experience. If you live in a colder climate, add a cozy blanket to each seat at the table or use outdoor heaters to keep your guests warm. Candles on the table also add a touch of warmth — both physically and atmospherically.
6.) Host a Movie Night Outdoors
Watch your favorite scary movies or festive films while enjoying the great outdoors by hosting a movie night on your deck. Whether you have a projector or a TV, make sure it’s well-protected under a sturdy covering so a sudden change in weather doesn’t ruin the movie.
Bring Indoor Comforts Outdoors
Mix outdoor fall activities and indoor comforts with cushioned outdoor furniture and plenty of throw pillows and blankets for everyone to cozy up with as you enjoy the film.
7.) Make Hot Chocolate & Enjoy the Sunset
Not all outdoor fall activities at home involve a strict “activity.” Sometimes simply enjoying the sunset is enough. Shorter days mean sunsets come earlier than ever, giving you a greater opportunity to see the color-streaked sky as the day fades into night. Take in the sunset on your deck with a homemade cup of hot cocoa to keep you warm.
Rest Your Drink on a Stylish, Functional Railing
With the Classic Composite Series Drink Rail, you get a modern railing design that also lends greater functionality to your space. Set your drink down on the flat deck board top rail so you can focus all your attention on the colorful horizon.
8.) Cozy Up With a Book Outdoors
Looking for solo outdoor fall activities at home? Grab that book you haven’t finished yet — and your favorite blanket — and head out to your deck to do some light reading outdoors. Creating a cozy reading nook is as simple as placing a comfy outdoor chair in a quiet corner and hunkering down for the next chapter or two.
9.) Make Your Own Luminaries
Give the kids another project to do outdoors, and reap the benefits of a more ambient outdoor living space with DIY luminaries. Whether you choose the traditional (flameless LED) candles in paper bags look or the more modern option of mason jars stuffed with twinkle lights, get the kids involved to decorate the bags or jars. Place the luminaries around your deck border or along garden pathways for a romantic, illuminated perimeter.
Capture an Always-Ready Glow With Deck Lights
In-deck lighting in your railing and deck surface gives you long-lasting illumination night after night.
10.) Decorate Your Deck & Porch for the Season
Seasonal décor on your deck or porch increases the inviting feel of your outdoor living space — and allows you to showcase your eye for design. Go beyond the traditional colorful mums and orange pumpkins with a more muted color scheme likes grays, browns, and burnt orange. White and blue pumpkins give you the seasonal touch you crave without pulling away from your neutral color scheme.
11.) Enjoy the Magic of Stargazing
A list of outdoor fall activities at home wouldn’t be complete without stargazing. Take in the magic of the autumn night sky from the comfort and safety of your deck. Give your neck a rest and lay out on your outdoor furniture or blankets rolled out on the deck surface and try to pinpoint constellations. And, since night comes earlier in the fall, the kids can get involved too without staying up past their bedtime.
12.) Play Games With Family & Friends
Outdoor fall activities like touch football or a game of soccer are far more pleasant in the cooler autumn weather for kids and adults alike. If you prefer a spot in the audience to a place on the team, have a seat on your deck steps to watch the game from the “bleachers.”
Repurpose Deck Boards for a Cornhole Set
Prefer a less cardio-focused game the whole family can enjoy? Grab your unused boards from your TimberTech deck project and transform them into a beautiful, durable cornhole set.
Fall in Love With the Great Outdoors
Your enjoyment of outdoor fall activities at home is greatly increased if you have a beautiful, durable outdoor living space that can stand up to all the action — and the weather. Whether you’re thinking about replacing your existing wood deck or adding a brand-new structure to your backyard, the best place to start is with a TimberTech Starter Kit.
Order your Starter Kit, which includes samples of our most popular colors and our Outdoor Living Guide, for the inspiration and guidance you need to design your ideal outdoor living space.
Kickstart your journey
with the starter kit
Compare easily with this mix of contemporary gray and brown samples, all while sparking your creativity thanks to our Outdoor Living Guide.
