5 Fun Frugal Fall Ideas
As crisp air and colorful foliage return, so do expensive family activities. While it can be easy to overspend in the name of seasonal joy, autumn is actually the perfect time to enjoy life without breaking the bank.
Here are five fun and frugal fall ideas that will help you celebrate without straining your budget. From low-key indoor activities to outdoor adventures, these ideas will have you feeling cozy and content while keeping your finances in check.
Take Your Fall Celebration Outside
The best part of fall is being able to step outside without melting. You can take advantage of the outdoors during any part of the year, of course, but there’s something special about changing leaves and crisp air.
Hikes, walks, and strolls are free, accessible, and can turn into learning opportunities for young ones. Visit local parks, explore state or national lands, and appreciate one of the last remaining protected open resources in the country.
Bring a picnic, study local flora and fauna, take pictures, or just lay in the grass. No matter what you do, you can never go wrong enjoying nature. 🌱
Dress Up Your House With DIY Fall Decor
Is there anything better than spending a gloomy day crafting? I think not! This activity does not have to be expensive, no matter how much Michael’s tries to make it seem that way.
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You can craft perfectly adorable, or spooky, seasonal decor, using natural materials like pinecones, leaves, and pumpkins. You can also pick up affordable supplies at The Dollar Store, Facebook Marketplace, or Buy Nothing Groups.
Try your hand at creating wreaths, centerpieces, painted pumpkins, or candles. Decorate your mantle with things you find outside. You can try anything and skip the expensive and often poorly made decor in big box stores.
Plan a Movie Night with Classic Fall Films
Lights, camera, action! Grab a fuzzy blanket, pop some popcorn, and settle in for a fall themed movie night.
Stream movies you already have access to or borrow from your local library! 🎬 My favorite fall flicks:
Casper
Dead Poets Society
Good Will Hunting
Halloween Town
Hocus Pocus
October Sky
Practical Magic
Rudy
When Harry Met Sally
You’ve Got Mail
Bake Seasonal Fall Treats at Home
One of my favorite memories as a kid were the smells that came out of the kitchen during autumn. Whip up fall favorites like 🥧 apple pie, pumpkin bread, or cinnamon rolls. This is a great way to create a fall family tradition and is usually cheaper than buying from a bakery. Not to mention homemade is always better than store bought when it comes to baked goods.
You can find recipes for virtually anything on Pinterest and YouTube, use ingredients you already have, or buy in bulk to save.
Create a Fall Reading List
TikTok is wonderful for learning many different things, but one of my favorites is discovering seasonal books to read. 📚 You can borrow books from your local library, swap with friends, or purchase cozy tomes from your local discount bookstores. Another tip: try online thrift bookstores like thriftbooks.com and bookoutlet.com for cheap books.
You can check out an extensive fall reading list on Goodreads here.
I hope this list has convinced you that fall does not have to be synonymous with expensive. Did you try one of these items out? Let me know!
