A fall bucket list for kids is a must-have in New England. There are so many fun things to do in Boston in the fall. For some, autumn is the prime season to enjoy the outdoors. Things to do with kids in the fall include hiking, apple picking, corn maze exploring, or celebrating all things spooky and sweet on Halloween. There’s a lot for kids of all ages and stages to enjoy during a beautiful autumn in New England. Here’s a list that can point you in the right direction when you’re searching for the “best fall activities near me.” We’ve rounded up some of our favorite must-do autumn activities in September, October, and November for the best things to do in Boston this fall. Read on for our fall bucket list for kids, and enjoy New England’s signature season!.
For more fall fun, see 15 Fall Day Trips from Boston for our guide to autumn getaways. For more family activities this fall, be sure to check out our Boston Fall Fun Guide.
Fall Bucket List for Kids: Things To Do in Boston This Fall
Leaf-peeping is one of the best fall activities in Boston. Ginko tree photo courtesy of the Arnold Arboretum
1. Admire the fall foliage at Arnold Arboretum.
Grab a discovery pack and hike, discover, and explore this free park. The adventurous can get a sweeping view of the Boston skyline at the top of Peter’s Hill.
2. Visit the Boston Children’s Museum.
Boston Children’s Museum is a popular destination in any season. The hands-on activities are enlightening, enriching, and entertaining.
3. Cheers! Raise a glass of local wine or a pint of beer over picnics, games, or music.
Spend a fall day sipping a glass of wine or trying out tasty beers at one of these family-friendly wineries or beer gardens.
4. Play tourist for a day.
See how many places you can visit on this list of famous Boston tourist attractions that even Boston native kids love doing.
Get up close to the Stone Zoo’s black bears this fall. Photo courtesy of the Stone Zoo
5. Say hi to some animals at a zoo.
There is no shortage of animals in the Boston area. Pick one of these zoos for a wildlife adventure.
6. Have an impromptu picnic
Visit one of the outdoor restaurants that are fun for families that is still offering al fresco dining in the cool fall air.
7. Visit a Boston area museum.
Check out the season’s newest exhibitions and old favorites. Many Boston museums feature autumnal themes and displays for the fall.
8. Visit a larger than life art exhibit.
Visit the Immersive Monet and the Impressionists exhibit this fall at Boston’s Castle. You can experience art from a whole new perspective.
The Freedom Trail has a little fall flair to share. Granary Burial Ground photo courtesy of Mommy Poppins
9. Walk Boston’s iconic Freedom Trail on a nice day.
Most attractions can be appreciated outdoors, so you can enjoy the beautiful fall air.
10. Hit the streets—or farm—for a festival!
With the cooler weather comes so many fall festivals celebrating everything from food to neighborhoods to farm fun.
Fall Bucket List for Kids: Things To Do Near Boston This Fall
11. Travel back in time to Old Sturbridge Village.
12. Get lost in a field of flowers or corn.
Stop and enjoy at the sunflowers at Hanson’s glorious Sunflower Field. The farm’s corn stalks make a challenging maze.
Enjoy traditional fall activities like hayrides near Boston. Hayride photo courtesy of Mommy Poppins.
13. Go for a spooky or not-so-spooky hayride.
Choose your scare level and hop aboard a hayride at a local farm near Boston.
14. Pick some juicy, ripe apples.
McIntosh, Golden Delicious, Honey Crisp, Ginger Gold, Cortland, Roxbury Russet…find and pick your favorite apple varieties at a local apple farm.
Lookout Farms offers a wide variety of u-pick apples starting in early September. Photo by Mommy Poppins
15. Get lost (in a corn maze).
From little mazes for a quick walkthrough to huge corn mazes that you’ll need your walking shoes for, there’s something for every explorer.
16. Have a family picnic at Weir River Farm.
Enjoy the sunset, listen to live music, and grab a bite from a food truck at this weekly event that runs through October 7.
17. Get outdoors and explore a state park.
Check out our list of kid-approved Massachusetts State Parks and Forests and visit one on a nice fall weekend.
Find the right pumpkin and chek it off that fall bucket list! Photo courtesy of Parlee Farms
18. Pick out the perfect pumpkin.
Get ready for Jack-O-Lantern time at a pumpkin patch near Boston.
19. Lace up the littlest hiking boots.
Get outside to enjoy some fresh air and exercise on one of Boston’s best family hikes.
The Nature Trail and Cranberry Bog is steps from Patriot Place in Foxboro. Photo courtesy of Patriot Place
20. For little legs, opt for a shorter hike.
Take your preschooler on a short, one-mile-or-less hike and enjoy the smiles of pride after reaching a small peak or finishing a loop.
21. Find indoor and outdoor fun at the Discovery Museum.
Nestled amid the trees in Acton, the Discovery Museum combines science, art, and fun!
22. Go on a leaf-peeping day trip.
Take a fall day or overnight trip to one of New England’s prettiest, leafiest towns.
Nothing says fall in Boston quite like King Richard’s Faire in Carver. Photo courtesy of King Richard’s Faire
23. Dress to impress for King Richard’s Faire.
Dress up as princesses and knights and hit this Renaissance Fair for a day filled with jousting, turkey legs, and fun contests.
24. Take to living outdoors for a fall camping trip.
Hike, roast s’mores, and make new friends on a camping trip at one of these family-friendly campgrounds.
Kid-friendly fall camping near Boston can be adventurous and cozy. Photo courtesy of Kampus-Productions
25. Visit the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular at Roger Williams Park Zoo
Get some ideas for your own pumpkins as you stroll this spectacular display featuring thousands of intricately carved pumpkins all lit up. Tickets must be purchased online and the event is open in light to moderate rain.
26. Soar through the trees on zip lines.
If adventure is what you’re looking for, these zip line and obstacle courses near Boston are just the ticket.
27. Climb aboard the Cog Railway.
Check out the fall foliage by riding a train up into the White Mountains to the highest peak in the Northeast.
Wicked Wednesdays get Halloween’s show on the road. Photo courtesy of Salem Haunted Happenings
28. Visit America’s Halloween capital: Salem.
Soak up the spooky season with a month of Halloween events, including kid-friendly Wicked Wednesdays at the Phillips House featuring family programs, crafts, and more.
29. Decorate for Halloween.
Have a ghoulishly good time decorating for Halloween.
Plimouth Patuxet Museum shows kids wat fall was like in Boston’s history. Photo courtesy plimoth.org
30. See how the colonists lived at Plimoth Patuxet Museums.
Formerly Plimoth Plantation, this living museum brings you in touch with the past, as with these authentic recipes.
