What’s the key to making fall fun for everyone in the family? Hint It’s not all about pumpkin spice lattes. The fall months usher in a whole new set of possibilities to bond, discover, and make memories and some of the greatest inspiration comes directly from celebrity parents who know how to create seasonal magic.
From crisp orchard mornings to cozy movie nights, these stars are offering up inspiration that’s equal parts heartwarming and doable. Whether your crew is into outdoor adventures or indoor coziness, there’s something here to spark joy for every age. Let’s dive into the celeb-approved activities that will have your family saying, “We’re doing that this weekend!”
1. Thrills and Magic at Amusement Parks
Fall is not only for leaf peeping but also peak season for theme parks to introduce creepy decor and seasonal treats. Emma Roberts showed it when she and her son, Rhodes, visited Disneyland during October 2024, posting carousel photos and referencing the park’s famous entrance sign “Here you leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow and fantasy.” Several parks, ranging from Disney World to Six Flags, celebrate Halloween with parades, haunted houses, and fall menus, making them ideal for family entertainment.
The cooler temperatures result in shorter lines and warmer walks between rides. And special seasonal overlays bring an extra touch of magic that can’t be found at any other time of year. For families, it’s an opportunity to balance thrill rides with holiday photo opportunities.
2. Step Into Salem’s Spooky Charm
Channing Tatum’s vacation with his daughter Everly to Salem, Massachusetts, demonstrated how Halloween and history can mix into one great vacation. The town, which is renowned for its 1692 Witch Trials, has family-friendly ghost tours, themed stores, and fall color that’s pure New England magic.
Outside the famous memorials and museums, Salem’s October vibe cannot be beat cobblestone streets dotted with witch brooms, fortune tellers, and pumpkin-spiced everything. Destination Salem’s Stacia Cooper says that the Haunted Happenings festival is “thought to be the largest Halloween celebration in the world,” which qualifies as a bucket-list visit for families who can appreciate a little mystery in their fall.
3. Explore a Corn Maze Together
Corn mazes are a seasonal favorite, and Gwen Stefani’s October 2024 adventure with her sons Apollo and Zuma is evidence they’re just as enjoyable for celebrities as they are for everybody else. Corn mazes promote teamwork, critical thinking, and lots of laughter as you navigate your way out.
For families craving more of a challenge, some farms design intricate mazes that can take hours to solve. The best part? You’re surrounded by golden fields and crisp air, making it an ideal way to soak up autumn’s beauty while bonding with your crew.
4. Host a Haunted Hayride
Not all haunted hayrides are jump-scare based. Kristen Bell explained how her husband, Dax Shepard, produces a neighborhood hayride every year, preparing for weeks to provide a spooky-but-not-scary experience for neighborhood families. It’s a reminder that you can create your own traditions in your very own home.
For those who are traveling to farms, several have kid-friendly versions with playful themes consider goofy skeletons and jack-o-lanterns lit up like they’re on fire rather than authentic terror. DIY or store-made, hayrides are a comfortable way to appreciate the season under the cover of stars.
5. Capture Pumpkin Patch Memories
Pumpkin patches are all but a rite of passage for young families. Kylie Jenner brought Stormi and Aire along on a visit that included tractor rides, and Nick Cannon brought five of his kids dressed in coordinating orange onesies on a nighttime patch outing. These places tend to include add-ons such as petting zoos, hayrides, and seasonal treats.
For next-level memories, coordinate outfits or bring props for photos. The combination of bright pumpkins, rustic backdrops, and happy faces makes for keepsakes you’ll treasure long after the season ends.
6. Bake Celebrity-Approved Fall Treats
Fall baking is a hobby with deep roots it’s a tradition. NFL mom Donna Kelce enjoys baking apple muffins with her granddaughter Wyatt, but Taylor Swift’s chai sugar cookies are an internet-famous seasonal favorite. Joy the Baker, the creator of the recipe, claims they’re “crisp on the outside and with a little chew on the inside,” ideal for gift-giving or snuggle nights in.
From apple muffins to chai cookies, these are simple enough for kids to assist with and tasty enough to become annual must-bakes. Bonus Your house will smell like pure autumn.
7. Pick Apples at Peak Season
Apple picking reaches its peak between the months of September and late October, and Brittany Mahomes’ orchard outing with her children proved just how much fun it can be. There are more than 2,500 apple varieties cultivated in America, so there’s something for every taste.
Experts suggest beginning with the outer branches, twisting gently to prevent harming the tree. And don’t miss the extras many orchards provide tractor rides, cider sampling, and farm stores filled with local treats. It’s a healthy way to spend a chilly fall morning.
8. Discover Nature on a Family Hike
Priyanka Chopra’s trek with her daughter Malti captured the wonder of experiencing nature through a kid’s eyes. Chilly weather makes paths more pleasant, and autumn colors provide a stunning backdrop. Whether it’s a quick neighborhood loop or a day outing to a state park, hiking provides fresh air, physical activity, and infinite possibilities for children to discover puddle jumping, leaf collecting, or wildlife watching. It’s the sort of uncomplicated pleasure that becomes a treasured memory.
9. Create Movie Night a Seasonal Tradition
Joanna and Chip Gaines are no strangers to the magic of a night in. Their crew of family members crowded into bed for a Halloween movie marathon, demonstrating that holiday entertainment doesn’t have to require a trip out the door. Mix and match your movie selection with themed treats popcorn with candy corn, hot apple cider, or pumpkin-shaped cookies.
For a fun bonus, host a family costume night based on your selected movie. Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka’s over-the-top Halloween themes, or Ashley Tisdale’s Wizard of Oz family ensemble, demonstrate how wearing costumes can transform a basic movie night into a full-fledged event.
Fall’s secret is its balance of cool outdoor activities and cozy indoor luxuries and celebrity clans are demonstrating just how simple it is to combine both. Whether your group is carving pumpkins, navigating through a corn maze, or making chai cookies, the activities provide more than a dash of season play. They’re an open invitation to take a pace, enjoy the here and now, and establish traditions that will be sustained for years to come.
