Outdoor Activities to Enjoy This Fall

Fall is a fun time for young kids to enjoy diverse outdoor activities. It's neither too hot nor too cold and, if you know where to look, there are plenty of beautiful fall colors too. Looking for inspiration and ideas? Here are our Valley Trails top activities for fall-themed family fun in the great outdoors.

Find Your Way Through a Corn Maze

You'll find several cool corn mazes throughout LA and beyond during the fall. Examples include Underwood Family Farms, Forneris Farm, and Tapias Brothers Farm. Watch your kids giggle and squeal as they try to find their way through the towering stalks, husks, and kernels. Some mazes include extra activities for little ones too, such as quizzes, riddles, or games.

Go Apple Picking at Oak Glen

As well as being able to enjoy the vibrant colors of fall, Oak Glen offers seasonal outdoor fun for the whole family: apple picking. Few fruits shout fall more than apples, and your young kids are sure to enjoy helping to pick their own juicy apples. Even better, there are plenty of ways to enjoy your bounty when you get home. From baking apple pies with the kids to making candy apple treats, and more!

Build a Scarecrow

While you probably don't actually need anything in your yard to scare birds away from crops, building a scarecrow is a fun way to help your kids get creative outside. Simply grab some old clothes and get the kids to stuff them full of hay, straw, or even crumpled-up scrap paper. Once stuffed, sew the pieces together and secure them on a sturdy wooden stake. Your children can draw a face on an old ball or bag for the head. Top with a hat and you've made a cool yard decoration that is sure to keep your little ones happy for weeks.

Spot Fall Colors in Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanical Garden

Take a family trip to the peaceful Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanical Garden to learn more about flora from different regions and admire the changing fall colors against the backdrop of the majestic San Gabriel Mountains. Collect earth-toned fall leaves off the ground and compare the colors. You could perhaps take some home too for fall-themed crafts.

Visit a Pumpkin Patch

Take the kids to a pumpkin patch to pick up seasonal squash. Just looking around the colorful pumpkins is exciting for young children, though some farms offer an array of kid-friendly activities, such as wagon rides, games, fairground rides, and petting zoos. Grab a pumpkin for your children to decorate at home or maybe even bake the family a yummy pumpkin pie after your visit.