Can you believe we’re already looking at the fall season? This year has felt like 100 months and I’m actually looking forward to a little fall fun. We’ve put this 31 Things to Do this October list geared toward moms who want to bring some fun activities into their homes and lives.
Updated for 2022. This post contains affiliate links.
We’ve been pinning a million things on our Fall Fun Pinterest board and you can bet come October 1st we’ll be wearing boots and raking leaves. Who cares if it’s still 90 degrees here in Southern California!
Related: Follow Our Fall Pinterest board!
Fun Activities for Fall and Halloween
Here’s 31 things to do this October:
October 1: Kick off the season with a meet up for a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte. It’s rumored the PSL will be available on 8/30. Can you wait and make it a momentous occasion on 10/1? Would you rather stay in? Invite some girlfriends over and whip up this Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew.
October 2: Decorate your door with festive fall wreath. I’m always torn between fall and Halloween decor so I usually put up a fall-inspired wreath up until the week before Halloween and then swap it out until November 1st.
October 3: Go apple picking! Megan’s family does this every year and I’ve never been. Maybe she’ll invite us this time around. Are you in Southern California? This is the apple farm Megan visits each fall.
October 4: Invite the neighbor kids and host an outdoor movie night! Wondering what to show? Here’s a great list of family-friendly Halloween movies.
October 5: Start packing up a Boo Bucket for friends and neighbors. Need some inspiration? Check out our most-viewed fall post on how to make one.
October 6: Add some fall pillows to your space. Whether you make this DIY fall leaf pillow or grab these cozy pumpkin pillows from Pottery Barn.
October 7: Dress up your fireplace mantle with a fall garland. This fabric scrap garland is easy and up my alley. I really love this cream colored ceramic vase from Target. Just fill it with faux fall foliage!
October 8: Fall is for baking, isn’t it? These are crowd pleasers.
October 9: Plan a Halloween party! I’ve been known to throw a pretty good kid-friendly Halloween party. All you need is a spooky playlist, these fun witches brooms treats, and festive drinks.
October 10: Time to stash your summer nail colors for a darker one. Megan’s been doing her own dip nails at home with this kit.
October 11: Don’t forget to bump up the shade of your lips this season, too. Megan loves these three affordable lip colors from the drugstore.
October 12: Create the Octoberfest experience at home with this list of Oktoberfest inspired recipes.
October 13: Hot weather be damned, dig those boots out of the closet. Get comfy with these classic Uggs. We’re not really going out anywhere anyway, right?
October 14: Find yourself a Halloween costume! Who thinks Megan and I should dress up as Mario and Luigi?
October 15: Stock up on Halloween candy. Yes, two weeks early! See what your favorite Halloween candy says about you. Team Chocolate, all the way.
October 16: Gather friends for a fall-themed brunch. Serve this Pumpkin Caramel Pull Apart Bread, Pumpkin Spice Waffles, Pumpkin Sugar Donuts, Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Pancakes and Apple Cider Mimosas.
October 17: I swore I wouldn’t buy candles this year but Bath and Body Works got me again with their fall scents.
October 18: Watch a scary movie. Check out the 13 Nights of Halloween schedule from Freeform or just rent the original Halloween.
October 19: After a long day, settle in with one of these soup and chili recipes: Sausage, Potato & Spinach Soup, Cream of Broccoli Soup, Smokey Minestrone, Chicken Chili or Quinoa Chili.
October 20: I need to wear something festive for Halloween. There are so many funny ones out there but I still need one that’s fairly appropriate around the kids. Love this one from Amazon ($16).
Don’t miss this episode of Long Story Short the Podcast where we talk about the things we love about Fall!
We’re Your New Best Friends
Hi, we’re Megan and Wendy! Join us every Thursday on Long Story Short: The Podcast as we rediscover the things that bring us joy! Podcast topics cover everyday life, parenting, fashion, beauty, pop culture and more!
Ten Days Left in October. Here’s What You Should Do
October 21: I love opening my fall and Halloween storage boxes to find all the kids books we re-read year after year. Here’s a great list of fall books you should be reading with your kids.
October 22: I love a good football game. Here’s a fun football themed popcorn snack that you can customize for your favorite team.
October 23: This is when I pull out all the Halloween decor. I love this idea of spray painting plastic pumpkins and using them as a planter. Give me all the gold paint!
October 24: Sure PSL rules the season but how about a mulled apple cider or a salted caramel mocha?
October 25: Our kids plan to make these lollipop ghosts for their friends and leave them on their doorsteps. I love how easy they are and kids can pretty much do it on their own.
October 26: I think crafts mades with leaves are so pretty. It’s probably because we get very little change in the leaves here in So Cal so bringing them into our home makes it feel like the season. I love so many of the autumn craft ideas here!
October 27: Dig out your scarves and will some cooler weather! I love this pretty plaid scarf from Madewell.
October 28: Thanksgiving is only weeks away now. What does Thanksgiving look this year for you? Check out what to cook the week of Thanksgiving to make life easier.
October 29: Get to carving those pumpkins! Here’s a great tip sheet on carving pumpkins. Who knew?
October 30: Roast pumpkin seeds. I like them with butter and salt but here’s a sweet twist on the roasted pumpkin seed.
October 31: Time to Trick or Treat!
