Summer is ending, school is back and soon the leaves will change colors. Fall is officially here in Chicagoland! We couldn’t be more excited to help your family get into the spirit of the colorful, crisp (and sometimes spooky!) season.
We’ve put together this guide to help you plan out your fall events, activities and holidays for 2024. See our list of fall activities for families in the city and suburbs, along with our holiday guides.
Don’t worry, we have lots of indoor activity ideas too. During this time of year, you might not know if you’ll be fine with just a sweatshirt or if you’ll need to get your winter coat from the closet. Take a look below to find our suggestions for things to do with kids in Chicagoland this fall!
FALL ACTIVITIES
From apple picking and pumpkin patches to planning out Halloween costumes and prepping for the holidays, fall seems to fly by every year. Make the most of your family time this season with these kid-approved picks.
Explore the outdoors
You don’t have to go far from home to appreciate the beautiful colors of autumn. Find gorgeous fall colors at these spots in and around Chicago. Outdoor enthusiasts can also explore the fall colors with these kid-friendly hiking trails, bike paths and local nature centers.
Spend the day at a farm
Experience the best of fall at Chicagoland’s farms and orchards, where you can pick your own apples, pumpkins and more. Whether you’re navigating through themed corn mazes or picking the perfect pumpkin, these farms offer a full day of family fun complete with cider, doughnuts and other fall treats.
Attend a fall festival
Who says summer gets to have all the fun? Here in Chicago, festival season continues into the fall. Savor the smells of falling leaves and the tastes of all things pumpkin and apple at some of our favorite fall festivals.
Get spooked at a haunted house
Boo! Did we scare you? If not, then you may be ready for these kid-friendly haunted houses and trails in Chicagoland. From haunted houses to spooky hayrides and trails, find an age-appropriate outing that has just the right amount of spooks and thrills for your family.
Get your game on
For sports fans, nothing says fall like the return of the Chicago Bears! Catch a game as a family and get our best tips for bringing the kiddos to Soldier Field.
FALL DESTINATIONS
Our advertisers have highlighted their top spots to enjoy the season. From fall farm fall to indoor adventures, these recommendations are brought to you by local businesses that love sharing their favorite autumn escapes with you.
AT-HOME FALL FUN
Whether your family is a clan of cozy introverts or you just need a day off from being on the go, these at-home activities are just what you need to celebrate the season in the comfort of your home.
Get crafty with DIY decor ideas and fall-themed projects, or curl up with a seasonal treat and kick back at a family movie night. Find even more suggestions for at-home activities to get you in the spooky fall spirit below.
Decorate pumpkins
Need tips for carving pumpkins? We’ve got you covered with one dad’s guide to pumpkin carving. If you’d prefer to skip using sharp utensils with the kiddos, try one of these easy, no-carve pumpkin decorating ideas.
Make apple treats
Whether you pick apples at a nearby orchard or buy them at the store, turn your delicious fall apples into scrumptious apple treats with these apple recipes and activities. Bake these melt-in-your-mouth cinnamon sugar apple cider donuts or make your own apple cider.
Read a spooky story
Get into the spooky spirit with a Halloween book. These spooktacular Halloween titles have cute Halloween stories and mild scares for kids of all ages.
Get crafty
Pumpkin pie play dough, paper bag monster puppets, popsicle stick scarecrows and more await your creative family in our fall craft roundup. Display your fall crafts all season long, or go all out and elevate your Thanksgiving festivities with these creative kids table decor ideas.
Host a family movie night
Cozy movie nights are great any time of year, but why not enjoy a frightening family film or an adorable Halloween-themed kids movie this fall? Check out these classic ‘90s Halloween flicks for families, including Disney channel originals like “Halloweentown” and “Don’t Look Under the Bed.”
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FALL HOLIDAYS
Before the holiday season kicks in, enjoy fall holidays including Halloween, Dia de Los Muertos, Veterans Day, Diwali and Thanksgiving.
That’s a lot of fun to pack in such a short time and you can find all the activities and events you need.
Plus, score books, crafts and other activities in our at-home guides, so that you can celebrate even if you don’t want to leave your home.
Oktoberfest – September and October
Oktoberfest is celebrated in Germany from Sept. 21-Oct. 6. Chicagoland families can get in on the fun by attending these family-friendly Oktoberfest events. Parents looking to sample local Oktoberfest brews can head to a kid-friendly brewery for craft beers and family fun.
Halloween – Oct. 31, 2024
Get in on the spooky spirit of the season with local Halloween events, budget-friendly costume ideas and decadent Halloween treats. Plus, we found some of the best events for trick-or-treating in Chicagoland.
Diwali – Oct. 31-Nov. 1, 2024
Celebrate the five-day festival of lights with our Diwali Guide for Chicagoland Families. Get recipes, ideas for festive activities and more.
Dia de Los Muertos – Nov. 1-2, 2024
Celebrate the Day of the Dead with these events in the city and suburbs that include dancing, ofrendas, face painting, candy and other festivities.
Veterans Day – Nov. 11, 2024
Support our veterans at these local parades, activities and events that celebrate the brave men and women who serve our country.
Thanksgiving – Nov. 28, 2024
Enjoy a day of gratitude, thanksgiving and, of course, food with your family. Find Thanksgiving events and activities in our Thanksgiving Guide for Chicagoland Families, or try these creative ideas for sharing thankfulness with your family.
