Budget-Friendly Fall Activities 

With the weather cooling down and autumn settling in, many of us are in the mood for fun fall family activities. Here are some budget-friendly ideas that are sure to usher in the spirit of the season!

Go to a U-Pick Farm 

There are thousands of U-Pick style farms across the country. Obviously, right now only harvest and autumn produce will be available, but your family is sure to have a blast and you'll save on fresh, in season produce.

There are several databases online that tell you what U-Pick farms are in your state and local area. See how far the closest farm is to you and consider a day outing with the kids. 

Carve a Pumpkin

One of the cheapest fall traditions that I love is scouring a local pumpkin patch with the kids and hauling it back home. Your kids can carve a unique jack-o-lantern and you can bake the seeds into a healthy snack that lasts quite a while! 

Pumpkin patches can be found all over and many suburban areas feature temporary neighborhood pumpkin patches if you're not close to an authentic one. Check your neighborhood bulletins and forums for information about local events such as this. 

Arts and Crafts

Have the kids help you craft fall decor or even Halloween costumes and decor. One of the best ways to save on all of these items is to craft them yourself. 

If you're looking to create budget-friendly Halloween costumes for your kids, now is the time to start. You have plenty of time to help them fashion the perfect outfits. Make sure to encourage them to get creative with it! Use old clothing and refashion them into new outfits, use paint and cardboard for certain props, etc. A great way to fashion simple outfits would be to check the remnants section of your local fabric store. There are large pieces of fabric here on major discount that can be made into capes, masks, and more. 

For fall decor, look around your local dollar store for items you can revamp or use in table settings and shelf decor. Remember, a little creativity goes a long way and you don't need to spend a ton of cash to have a lovely, festive home. 

Cook Fall-Themed Recipes

My favorite way to usher in a new season is to plan my weekly meals around the festivities. It's not expensive to cook some fall favorites, especially if you shop with coupons and use some of what you have at home. 

Autumn soups, stews, and casseroles are hearty and filling dinner options. Muffins, cupcakes, pies, cobblers, and coffee drinks are some of my autumn dessert picks. 

Have a Halloween Movie Marathon 

Many family-friendly television channels feature Halloween-themed movie marathons all day, everyday during the month of October. 

Celebrate the season by watching fun films with your family in the evenings this month. It will excite the kids for Halloween and put everyone in an autumn mood!