Fall brings a burst of color, cool breezes, and the perfect backdrop for memorable gatherings. With the leaves turning golden and the air filled with crispness, it’s a great time to celebrate with fun, engaging activities for kids.
Creating a festive atmosphere with fall-themed games can turn any party into a memorable event. Whether you’re hosting a Halloween bash or a simple harvest celebration, there’s no shortage of exciting ways to entertain the little ones.
From classic favorites with a seasonal twist to inventive new ideas, these fall party games will keep kids entertained and laughing. Get ready to embrace the spirit of autumn and make your next gathering truly unforgettable.
1. Pumpkin Bowling
Pumpkin Bowling is a creative spin on the traditional bowling game, perfect for a fall-themed party. All you need are a few mini pumpkins and some empty tin cans or plastic bottles set up like bowling pins in a lane.
Kids take turns rolling their pumpkins to knock down as many “pins” as possible, and the one who knocks down the most wins the game. This game is not only fun but also helps kids improve their hand-eye coordination in a friendly, competitive environment.
2. Scarecrow Relay Race
A Scarecrow Relay Race is a fantastic way to get the kids moving while embracing the spirit of fall. To play, divide the children into teams and give each team a pile of “scarecrow” clothes like oversized flannel shirts, straw hats, and baggy pants.
One by one, the kids race to put on the scarecrow clothes, run to a set point, and then race back to tag the next teammate. The first team to have all its members complete the relay wins. This game encourages teamwork and results in lots of laughter as the kids watch each other transform into scarecrows.
3. Apple Bobbing
Apple Bobbing is a classic fall game that never gets old and is always a hit with kids. For this game, fill a large tub with water and add several apples, making sure there’s enough room for the kids to dunk their faces in.
Each child takes turns trying to grab an apple with their mouth—no hands allowed! The child who collects the most apples within a set time wins. This game is not only tons of fun but also provides a great sensory experience as kids splash and laugh together.
4. Leaf Pile Treasure Hunt
The Leaf Pile Treasure Hunt combines the joy of jumping into a pile of colorful leaves with the excitement of finding hidden treasures. To set up, create a large pile of leaves in your yard and hide small toys or treats within it.
Kids take turns diving into the leaf pile to find the hidden treasures, with a set time limit to keep the game moving and exciting. This game encourages exploration and adds an element of surprise and delight, making it a perfect addition to any fall gathering.
5. Pumpkin Tic-Tac-Toe
Pumpkin Tic-Tac-Toe adds a fall-themed twist to the classic game, using mini pumpkins and gourds as game pieces. Draw a Tic-Tac-Toe grid on a large piece of cardboard or plywood, with one team using mini orange pumpkins and the other using small white gourds.
Players take turns placing their pumpkins or gourds on the grid, and the first to get three in a row wins. This game blends creativity and strategy, offering a fun and engaging way for kids to spend time on a crisp autumn day.
6. Cornhole with a Fall Twist
Cornhole is a backyard staple, but it becomes even more fun with a fall twist. Decorate the cornhole board with fall colors or Halloween themes, and use small bags filled with popcorn kernels or dried corn.
Teams take turns throwing corn bags onto the board, aiming to get them through the hole for points. The team with the highest score at the end wins. This game combines skill and fun, making it an excellent choice for kids of all ages.
7. Pin the Stem on the Pumpkin
Pin the Stem on the Pumpkin is a fun fall variation of the classic game, “Pin the Tail on the Donkey.” Draw or buy a large poster of a pumpkin without a stem, and create several green paper stems with tape on the back.
Blindfolded kids take turns trying to pin the stem as close to the top of the pumpkin as possible. The closest pin wins a prize. This game is simple to set up and brings lots of laughter and excitement to any fall party.
8. Hay Bale Obstacle Course
A Hay Bale Obstacle Course is a fantastic way to use outdoor space for some active fun. Arrange hay bales, pumpkins, and other fall-themed props to create a challenging but fun obstacle course.
Kids race against the clock or each other to complete the course without knocking over any obstacles. Adding fun challenges, like crawling under a “spider web” made from string or jumping over a “river” of blue tarp, can make the course even more thrilling.
9. Ring Toss with Pumpkin Stems
Ring Toss gets a fall makeover by using pumpkins with long stems as the targets and rings made from rope or glow sticks. Arrange pumpkins with different stem lengths at varying distances, assigning points based on distance.
Kids take turns tossing the rings onto the pumpkin stems, and the child with the highest score after a set number of rounds wins. This game is easy to set up and offers an enjoyable challenge that can be played both indoors and outdoors.
10. Candy Corn Relay
Candy Corn Relay is both a sweet treat and a fun relay race game that’s perfect for kids of all ages. Divide the kids into two teams and provide each team with a spoon and a bowl filled with candy corn.
Players must transport candy corn from one bowl to another using only a spoon—no hands allowed! The team with the most candy corn in their bowl after a set time wins. This game encourages teamwork and fine motor skills while keeping the kids engaged and entertained.
11. Pumpkin Ring Toss
Pumpkin Ring Toss is another fun variation of ring toss games, using small pumpkins as the targets. Arrange several small pumpkins on the ground, each assigned a different point value.
Kids stand a few feet away and try to toss rings over the pumpkins, with the player accumulating the most points declared the winner. Using different-sized pumpkins for varying difficulty levels can add more excitement to the game.
12. Leaf Blower Races
Leaf Blower Races offer a unique and fast-paced way to engage kids in some competitive fun. Set up a clear space and provide a leaf blower (on a low setting) for each participant, along with lightweight objects like ping pong balls.
Kids must blow their objects across a finish line using only the leaf blower, and the first one across wins. This game is a high-energy activity that is sure to be a hit at any fall gathering.
13. Fall-Themed Pictionary
Fall-Themed Pictionary is perfect for bringing out the artist in every child. Prepare a stack of fall-themed words or phrases for kids to draw, like “scarecrow,” “pumpkin pie,” or “raking leaves.”
One child picks a card and draws the word while others guess. The first to guess correctly gets the next turn. This game is great for sparking creativity and teamwork among the kids, especially when the weather doesn’t cooperate for outdoor play.
14. Acorn Spoon Race
The Acorn Spoon Race is a delightful twist on the classic egg-and-spoon race, making it ideal for a fall-themed event. Provide each child with a spoon and an acorn, and set up a racecourse.
Kids must race from one point to another without dropping the acorn, and if they do, they must start over. This game is fantastic for building coordination and patience while keeping the energy levels high.
15. Musical Pumpkins
Musical Pumpkins is a fall version of the classic game, Musical Chairs. Set up paper pumpkins in a circle, one fewer than the number of children playing.
As fun music plays, the kids walk around the pumpkins. When the music stops, they must find a pumpkin to stand on, and the one left without a pumpkin is out. This game helps build listening skills and coordination in a fun and engaging way.
16. Harvest Bingo
Harvest Bingo adds a fall twist to the traditional Bingo game and is perfect for indoor settings. Create Bingo cards with fall-themed images like leaves, pumpkins, and scarecrows instead of numbers.
Call out the images, and the first child to get a full row shouts “Bingo!” and wins a prize. This game combines luck and strategy, providing a relaxed yet exciting activity for the kids.
17. Mummy Wrap Race
The Mummy Wrap Race is a fun and slightly spooky game that is great for a fall party. Divide kids into teams of two and provide each team with a roll of toilet paper.
One child wraps their teammate in toilet paper to look like a mummy, and the first team to finish wins. This game is all about creativity and fun, especially when the kids get to show off their mummy costumes in a parade afterward.
18. Fall Obstacle Course
A Fall Obstacle Course brings out the adventurer in every child, combining fun and physical activity. Use hay bales, cones, pumpkins, and other fall decorations to create a challenging course.
Kids race through the course, jumping over hay bales, crawling under ropes, and weaving between pumpkins. Adding a scavenger hunt element by hiding fall-themed items throughout the course can make it even more exciting.
19. Gourd Roll Race
The Gourd Roll Race is a simple yet exciting game that uses gourds or small pumpkins for a unique race experience. Set up a racecourse with a start and finish line on a flat surface.
Each child gets a gourd or small pumpkin to use as their “racing vehicle.”
Kids must roll their gourds from the starting line to the finish line using only their hands, keeping them within the track’s boundaries. The first child to reach the finish line with their gourd wins. This game is a fun way to keep kids active while celebrating the spirit of fall.
Conclusion
Hosting a fall party for kids is all about creating joyful moments filled with laughter, creativity, and a dash of friendly competition. With these 19 engaging fall party games, you’re set to make your event a memorable one. The key is to focus on fun and let the kids enjoy the beauty of fall while bonding with friends. Here’s to a fantastic fall season filled with games, smiles, and unforgettable experiences!