50 cheap or free activities for autumn

So, we’ve put together a list of fun and free/cheap activities to enjoy in your own home or locally. Inspiration for those long and snuggly days ahead, for the whole family to enjoy together.

1. Collect different leaves and make an autumn collage
   
2. Learn to make jams and chutneys
   
3. Read about seasonal vegetables and get the kids to help choose recipes that incorporate them
   
4. Build a fort with bedsheets
   
5. Rescue a cat from a local shelter
   
6. Make your own water kefir
   
7. Make your own Halloween decorations: Paper chains, paper bunting, doily webs…
   
8. Make your own Halloween masks
   
9. Prune the garden plants, learn about how this helps them to grow back stronger in the spring
   
10. Make hot chocolate and snuggle
    
11. Learn about the rich history of Halloween
    
12. Pick up a cheap pumpkin carving kit and perfect your techniques
    
13. Learn about the rich history of Thanksgiving and host your own
    
14. Collect pinecones and learn about their weather predicting potential
    
15. Check out your local cinema for kids’ weekend shows from just 50 pence per ticket
    
16. Play dinner table football with a piece of scrunched up paper and two halves of a shoe box
    
17. I-Spy! For younger children, using phonetics instead of letters is also a great way to learn about reading
    
18. Collect chestnuts and start a conker match
    
19. Set up an official trick-or-treating agreement in your neighbourhood – great for community spirit
    
20. Make a scarecrow
    
21. Visit a local fireworks display
    
22. Weave an autumn loom with sticks, wool and all of your autumn treasures
    
23. Put your coat and wellies on and splash in some muddy puddles
    
24. Have a good pre-christmas clearout and learn about charitable giving
    
25. Make your own Christmas cards
    
26. Build a snowman
    
27. Make your own Christmas tree decorations
    
28. Pick up some photo frames in a charity shop, decorate them and give as gifts
    
29. Try out some taster sessions for classes in your area
    
30. Learn to sew/knit
    
31. Make your own kombucha
    
32. Toast some marshmallows on a bonfire
    
33. Make a family tree
    
34. Download a movie maker and make your own stop motion film with your play-doh creations
    
35. Enjoy a Christmas movie marathon, complete with popcorn
    
36. Play pictionary
    
37. Set up a scavenger hunt
    
38. Make a puppet theatre
    
39. Stage your own nativity play
    
40. Bake and decorate a Christmas gingerbread house centrepiece
    
41. Walk around your neighbourhood looking at everyone’s Christmas decorations
    
42. Trace silhouettes and decorate them
    
43. Learn about the rich history of Christmas
    
44. Make snow angels
    
45. Make winter garden decorations for your newly bare garden
    
46. Fondue party!
    
47. Make your own bird feeder with string, a pinecone, some peanut butter and bird seeds
    
48. Freeze water balloons and use them for outdoor bowling
    
49. Learn about the rich history of Hogmanay
    
50. Collect photographs of the past year and make a family annual – maybe even make it a tradition

Article by Leanne Patrick