I know I can be a bit of a pessimist at times. I get a little caught up in focusing on the negatives or “reality” and am not naturally an optimist, despite my happy attitude most of the time. Autumn in New York is my absolute favorite, and I feel like I have already missed out on so many moments. Being positive is something I have to actively work at. I can be in a good mood and a downer at the same time. One way to do that for me, is to make a list of things Iām looking forward to it are currently bringing me joy.
After chatting with you guys, it seems I am not alone in these feelings! Covid-19 has changed so much of our lives and what we feel comfortable doing. Everyone has different levels of what they are or aren’t ready for, so I thought it would be fun to put together a big bucket list of things! You can pin this post to save and pull it up whenever you are in need of an idea of something to do with the family this fall.
Don’t forget your mask!
FALL 2020 BUCKET LIST
25 THINGS TO DO THIS FALL WHILE STAYING SAFE
- Go on a hike at a new trail – Here is a list of hikes within an hour of NYC and here is a list of hikes within the five boroughs.
- Take a fall foliage walk – Bring a basket along and try to collect leaves from different trees to use to make some fun artwork or rubbings.
- Hit up an orchard – We already headed to Fishkill Farms a few weeks ago and had a blast. You can read all about it here. Don’t skip the apple cider donuts!
- Make caramel apples – We did this over the weekend and my oldest loved it. I didn’t realize he had never had one before! Here is the recipe we used.
- Craft a haunted house with gingerbread – Use up some of the Halloween candy you have to make a spooky gingerbread out. Trader Joe’s already has a kit to make life easy, and it is only $8.00!
- Read a thriller – Maybe it is time to break out Goosebumps with your older kids or crack into a serious scary story like The Haunting of Hill House or Interview With a Vampire.
- Pumpkin Patch – Take a family hayride and pick your pumpkins at the farm this year!
- Paint pumpkins – Carving can seriously cut down on the time you get to enjoy your pumpkins, so get painting or decorate with glitter, sequins, and pompoms.
- Have a bonfire – This one is such a fun idea. Go for a hike and find a spot that allows fires or barbecues. Roast up some hot dogs and finish the day with hot cocoa and smores!
- Cook through a cookbook – I LOVE this idea and think it would be os fun to pick a fall-themed book or something with lots of yummy desserts you could pass on to friends or family. Just bake all the things!
- Make a DIY fall wreath – I’m not normally. wreath kinda gal, but this hoop wreath I found on Pinterest is so simple and chic!
- “Boo” your neighbors – This one we are starting this week! We haven’t seen many friends since the pandemic, and this is such a great, contact-free way to spread some love to friends and family.
- Make caramel popcorn – I’ve already shared my family’s love of popcorn, so this is definitely going to be a must for us! My dad always made this recipe when I was growing up!
- Go horseback riding – This sounds so fun! There are a few places in the Hudson Valley where you can do this.
- Host a cook-off – Or a bake-off! Get set up with a family or group of friends in your pod and do an outdoor cook-off. Chili, pies, or cookies, and don’t forget to have everyone bring their favorite fall drink!
- Fall scavenger hunt – This one can be as easy or as hard as you want to make it. Keep it to your backyard or pack everyone in the car and go for a drive to your favorite fall foliage.
- Do the drive-in – We did this in August and it was so fun! Cozy up with lots of blankets, a thermos filled with hot apple cider, and snuggle in for an outdoor, socially distanced movie. The Skyline Drive-in in Brooklyn is still showing movies!
- Leaf Jumping – This one is tricky in the city, but if you have a neighbor who maybe needs some help, grab your rake! Rake up their leaves, jump in, and repeat.
- Find a pumpkin display – Here in New York, we have the very famous “The Blaze” in Sleepy Hollow and a drive-through pumpkin light display in Sussex, NJ.
- Make seasonal cocktails – It is the perfect time for spiced, hard cider, mulled wine, apple cider margaritas, or sangria. This is my favorite fall cocktail recipe!
- Try all the pumpkin spice lattes – Not just your basic Starbucks, but all your local coffee shops, too! Create a scoreboard and find your town’s winner!
- Costume contest – But make it DIY! You could have a super fun family night by having everyone make their own costume from things they already have in the closet. Make it harder by using a theme, like Pirates or Superheroes!
- Have a cozy (or spooky) movie marathon – Get all your baking done, thrown on your comfiest jammies, and cozy up on the couch for a fall-themed movie night. I have an epic list coming later this week!
- Have a family fall carnival – Invite a family in your pod or do it on your own. You can do fun and easy games like bobbing for apples, bean bag toss into a pumpkin face, eat apple cider donuts on a string, pumpkin carving contest, potato sack race, pin the nose on the scarecrow.
- Slow down – This is obvious, but it has been the hardest part of this pandemic for me. I am used to always go, go, going and just being has been challenging. I am working on the need to be busy and enjoying the slow days a little more. Sometimes. š
