10 Fun & FREE Autumn Activities for Seniors

Autumn is here, bringing a new color palette, cooler temperatures, and a hundred fun ways to celebrate the season. But unfortunately, like most things in life, fall entertainment comes with a price tag. You might want to visit the apple orchard near your house, only to discover the admission fee is pricier than you thought. And that haunted house around the corner for you? You can’t get in without a ticket, I’m sure. With the cost of living up 2.7% from last year and so many seniors on a fixed income, you probably can’t shell out money for entertainment like you did in the good old days. So, does that mean you can’t enjoy autumn to the fullest? Of course not! There are plenty of fun fall festivities you can enjoy that don’t come with a price tag or a receipt. Better yet, we’ve compiled a list of autumn activities, so you can start planning your seasonal entertainment today! Oh, and did we mention all the items on our list are FREE?

1. A crisp fall hike in the woods.

Is there anything more beautiful than a forest in autumn? This fall, take advantage of the gorgeous scenery by planning a fall hike for a crisp afternoon. If you have a state park near you, hit one of the walking trails and enjoy God’s handiwork. If you live in a more rural area, you can always grab a friend and embark on a little nature walk in a forest near your house. Make sure you wear shoes with good traction and bring some water! While a fall hike might not feel like exercise, it offers plenty of health benefits, including lower blood pressure, better sleep, improved balance, and even a happier mood!

2. A bonfire in your backyard.

Did you know that bonfires have a rather morbid origin? According to Merriam-Webster, bonfires have less than festive origins, with the term roughly translating to “a fire of bones.” Purportedly, the Ancient Celts would burn animal bones to ward off evil spirits. Thankfully, bonfires have long since moved past their morbid beginning to become an autumn staple. Bring back the fall tradition this year and host a bonfire in your backyard. Invite a few special friends and loved ones to sit around the fire, roast s’mores, and make those precious memories sure to last a lifetime. You don’t need to buy starter fluid or a fire pit. You can gather sticks, twigs, and even old newspapers to get a nice fire going. Just make sure you don’t hold your bonfire on a dry, windy day!

3. Watch some fall movies or TV shows.

An easy, cost-effective way to ring in the autumn season? Plan an autumn-themed movie night! Or you can watch a few fall-themed episodes of your favorite TV show, like Gilmore Girls or Friends. Sure, this activity technically isn’t free, especially if you pay for streaming services or rent a movie from Amazon Prime. But if you’re anything like us and have a bunch of old VHS tapes collecting dust in a drawer, see what movies you have on hand. Maybe you won’t have to rent It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. Maybe you have your very own copy at the bottom of a plastic bin! Looking for some ideas on what to add to your fall-themed watch list? Then check out our list of the top 7 cozy autumn movies and TV shows!

4. Collect pretty leaves.

Have you ever stopped to admire some fallen leaves? Have you ever found one so gorgeous that you felt compelled to take it home and press it between a book? Well, if you haven’t ever collected autumn leaves, this fall is the perfect time to start! Look for leaves that you can use in a craft project or preserve. You can also use actual leaves as part of your autumn decor! DIY Beautify suggests filling a pitcher with leaves. You can also add the pretty leaves you find to a homemade wreath. The possibilities are endless!

5. Take a scenic drive.

If hiking isn’t your jam, you can still admire the beautiful scenery…from the comfort of your car! On a gorgeous sunny fall afternoon, hop into the car and take a short drive around your town. Choose an area that you know boasts trees and stunning nature views! You can even roll the window down to let in that crisp fall air. To make it extra fun, invite a friend or maybe your grandkids. Also, make sure that your gas tank is full before you go, or your fun excursion might end up coming with a price tag!

6. Go trick-or-treating with your grandkids!

If you’re blessed enough to live close to your grandkids, we’ve got the perfect autumn activity for you. Go trick-or-treating with them! There’s nothing quite like watching your grandkids’ eyes light up with excitement as they fill their bags with candy. Childhood is such a short time of life, and your grandchild will only want to trick-or-treat for so many autumns, so make the most of each one! If you want to make trick-or-treating even more fun, channel your inner child and put on a costume yourself! You don’t have to run out and buy a new costume, either! For example, if you have a black-and-white striped shirt lying around and a black beanie, you’ve got together an old-school robber outfit. Jeans, cowboy boots, and a flannel shirt can transform you into a farmer. Get creative and, more importantly, have fun!

7. Read a book!

Did you know that reading is incredibly healthy for your brain? According to research, it improves critical thinking skills, memory retention, and even your sleep! Plus, it can reduce stress. No wonder we feel so happy after we finish a good book! So, grab a book from your shelf. It can be an old favorite or one that you picked up at a bookstore ages ago but haven’t read yet. Then brew a nice cup of coffee or your favorite tea and settle down for a little reading session. Weather permitting, you can even sit down on the porch (or a nice park bench) and read outside!

8. Carve pumpkins.

Is there any activity quite so fallish as pumpkin carving? To ring in the season properly, pick up a few pumpkins, grab your carving knife, and get to work! Depending on where you live, you might be able to score a few pumpkins for free from local farms or pumpkin patches. Or you can ask around and see if your friends or loved ones know where to get free pumpkins! Once you’ve gotten your gourds, turn them into works of art! You can carve a simple Jack O’ Lantern or, if you’re more artistic than us, get a little more sophisticated with your designs. Then you can put tea lights within the pumpkins and place them on your porch for an easy DIY Halloween decoration!

9. Attend a local football game.

Football is not only the most American sport, but it’s also the most autumnal one! If you live near a high school, you’re in luck! You can go and watch the games! Some might charge an admission fee, and unfortunately for any foodies out there, concessions are never free. But regardless, it’s a fun, cheap way to score some easy Friday night entertainment. Plus, who knows? You might be watching a future NFL star before they’re a household name!

10. Attend a Fall Festival.

We don’t know about you, but we live in a small town that holds a weekend-long fall festival that is completely FREE to the public. Booths boasting jewelry, homemade candles, and even books by local authors line the streets while face painters wait to transform kids’ faces into their next masterpiece. Sure, you have to pay money to buy a pair of handmade earrings or locally sourced honey, but browsing doesn’t cost a dime! Plus, our Fall Festival even offers a FREE movie night in the park. Check local Facebook groups to see if your town offers anything similar. You can even take your grandkids to make it even more special and fun!

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