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Fall is officially upon us. The leaves are changing colors, football is gracing every TV in the nation, pumpkin spice lattes are the go-to choice for coffee, and cooler weather is coming. For most, fall is the season of apple picking, pumpkin patch wandering, and trick or treating. However, in light of COVID-19 and the restrictions required for some states, fall activities might look a little different this year. 

Check out our list of the top COVID-friendly and budget-conscious fall activities below!

1. Carve (or Paint) Pumpkins

With an abundance of pumpkins at local grocery stores, farmers markets, and even your local craft stores, decorating pumpkins is a great activity that can be done at home and is relatively inexpensive. 

To carve your pumpkin, all you need is a couple of carving knives which you can get in a pumpkin carving kit for less than $10 (depending on what you buy). You can carve a traditional Jack-O-Lantern, or find a fun design online, print it out and then use that design to inspire your pumpkin creation. Add a small candle to the inside and place your pumpkin outside. 

Not a fan of carving pumpkins? You can paint them too! Acrylic paint will work best for painting pumpkins and you should be able to find some at your local craft store or possibly even your local grocery store. Painting your pumpkin gives you so many options and unlimited creativity - let the ideas fly!

The bonus? It’s a cheap decoration for your front porch or driveway! Talk about a win-win!

Pro Tip: give your pumpkin a wash before painting or carving to make it last longer.

2. Do Fall-Themed Crafts

This can be a great option if you have little kids, but there are also great craft ideas for adults too! You can do things like:

• Print off some fall leaves or pumpkin photos and have your kids color them. You can display their art on the refrigerator! 
  

• Take some smaller pumpkins, paint the outside, cut out the top, clean out the inside, fill them with water and add some flowers. It’s a great way to add fall decor without spending a ton of money for arrangements.
  

• Paint Mason jar lids and make them pumpkins! You can paint the outside different shades of orange and then add a few fake leaves and a wooden knob to the top.
  

3. Bake

There are so many great fall recipes, and when it’s cold outside there’s nothing better than baking warm treats. Some of our favorite fall snacks are:

• Pumpkin Sopapilla Cheesecake
• Pumpkin Bread
• Apple Crisp
• Homemade Applesauce
• Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Zucchini Bread

Not only is baking fun, but it’s something you can do alone or with your whole family. It’s a great opportunity to connect with others and enjoy your treats after! What’s your favorite fall dessert?

4. Watch a Halloween Movie

A great way to stay home is enjoying a movie night! Pop some popcorn and grab your favorite snuggly blanket. You don’t have to watch a scary movie to get in the fall or Halloween mood. Try one of these options:

• Hocus Pocus
• Casper
• The Haunted Mansion
• The Nightmare Before Christmas

You can also snuggle up by a fire with a cup of hot apple cider or hot cocoa to set the fall mood even more. 

5. Go Apple Picking

The nice thing about apple picking is you can be outdoors and social distance, thus making this activity still safe to enjoy. Spend the day picking apples and then go home and use those apples you picked in things like applesauce, apple crisp, or even with a pork loin for dinner! The nice thing about picking apples is you can get them for cheaper than at the grocery store, plus the experience of picking them yourself will mean more!

There are so many great ways to enjoy fall without breaking the bank, or being in large crowds. 

What fall activities are you going to do with your family?