Fall & Halloween Mega Guide
Maslow's Hiearchy of Fall Needs
It’s the most coziest time of the year! For those of us obsessed with fall, it’s time to get busy preparing to create this year’s magical autumn memories.
Remember when we were kids, and all we had to do was show up for fall fun? Now as parents it’s up to us to make the spooky good times a reality. If we’re honest, the work involved in participating in these traditions is exhausting and sometimes detracts from the joy of the season. With this in mind, I created this all-in-one fall guide to make your life easier so you can spend less time researching and planning and more time sipping on pumpkin spice lattes in a warm gingham blanket.
I’ve divided Fall-related tasks into five main sections—the five pillars of “fall needs,” if you will.
So, let’s jump in boots first!
1. FALL DECOR
To officially transition from summer to fall, we all know you must set the tone with spooky, cute home decor.
It’s not fall until it looks like fall inside your home!Unfortunately, decorating the entire house for only one season can feel daunting and expensive.
Here are some ways to transform the vibe of your home with only a few decorative items. These core fall furnishings can have a big impact with minimal effort required.
One: Printable Fall Art
Perhaps the fastest and most affordable way to create cozy magic in your home is to download and print fall art. Purchase art that matches your aesthetic and print it out at home or use a printing service (Wallgreens, CVS, Staples, Office Depot, etc.).
When you’re ready to add them to your walls, choose areas of your house that will have the most significant impact. I suggest main areas like your living room, kitchen, and bedrooms. Buy either a gallery-style frame set or large poster frames to maximize the desired aesthetic.
Don’t forget to add art to your kids’ rooms! I’ve got something special for you! I’ve created some printable fall art that brings the cute autumn vibes without the cringe and cliches many designs feature (live, laugh, love).
You can check it out here and pick your favorites to print and enjoy.
Two: Fall Textiles (pillows & blankets)
The easiest way to add a punch of fall to your home design is to grab a few seasonal pillows and throw blankets.
I mean, they’re fun to pick out and instantly changes the look of your furniture from boring to pumpkin spice chic. What is there not to like? Throw pillow covers are a fantastic option for minimizing holiday decor storage clutter. Not to mention - they are more affordable too.
In my fall decor shopping guide, I’ve linked some of my favorite fall and Halloween pillows, pillow covers, blankets, and bed sheets (if you want to go the extra mile).’’
Three: Faux Fall leaves & more
There’s no better way to bring the crisp autumn feelings outside your window and inside your home than faux fall decor.
Buy faux fall leaves, branches, pinecones, and more and adorn your fireplace, staircase, end tables, entertainment center, and any other areas that need some love.
Buy a bundle of faux fall nature decorations that match your style online; In my fall shopping guide you can find my recommendations along with design tools for easy installation.
Four: Fall wreaths
A fall wreath might be the main character of fall decorations.
Spread the autumn cheer from outside your home with a beautiful wreath on your front door.
All you have to do is decide what style of wreath appeals to you. Do you want a modern wreath with a minimal design or a maximalist feel with oversized leaves and bright colors? Do you like glitter or muted fabric? Do you want a wreath that features a saying or other art?
To see my compilation of quality fall wreaths, see my fall decor shopping guide. Five: Fall Outdoor Entrance Decor
If I’m candid, this is the step I have been tempted to skip in years past. Why put all this effort in just for the cars driving by to enjoy it? I get it, and I’ll even say this is the step you should skip if you’re strapped for cash or overwhelmed.
However, being greeted with a bit of fall happiness at your doorstep can have a surprising impact, especially if the inside of your home (like many moms of young kids) is a little messy and chaotic. It’s nice to appear put together, at least from outside your house.
To add a little spice to your home entrance, buy a few cute fall or Halloween decorations and stage them outside. Some ideas include: A hay bale with mini pumpkins on top
A witch broom
Carved pumpkins
Orange & white string lights
Wooden sign(s)
Mums
Gourds
Season window clings
To skip the browsing and go straight to buying, head to my fall decor shopping guide here.
six: Fall Candles & Diffusers
Engage the senses with fall aromas that make you want to curl up on the sofa with a good book. This is the finishing touch and an unskippable step in your home transformation.
Buy candles or diffuser scents featuring notes like amber, musk, orange blossom, warm vanilla cinnamon, pumpkin, and apple.
To discover bestselling diffusers and fall candles, visit my fall decor shopping guide.
Bonus step: Spider webs (and garland)
If you enjoy highlighting the spookiness of the fall season, adding faux spider webs is an easy way to transform your space visually.
Buy a few packs of spider webs (or other creepy-style garlands) and drape them around tables, your fireplace mantle, and anywhere else you think should be haunted.
To check this off your list, visit my fall decor shopping guide now.
Enjoy my free Fall Decor Checklist by downloading it here.
2. Fall Attire
If you think fall clothes are amazing, you have the correct opinion. I mean, come on, there are entire playlists dedicated to sweater weather.
Your kids are starting to feel chilly in their summer clothes, and oversized sweatshirts are calling your name.Where do you start?
Follow these simple 6 steps to ensure you cover all your autumn wardrobe bases for you and your kids.
One: Graphic shirts (Tees & Sweatshirts)
Don’t underestimate the impact a few cute fall shirts can have on your wardrobe.Graphic tees and sweatshirts are versatile, easy to layer, tuck in, and, most importantly, express your personality.
When it comes to kids, tees are essential since they are easy to clean, affordable, and spark joy with characters and fun art.
Sometimes, seasonal t-shirts can be a bit on the cringy side, making it hard to find shirts that are both cute and festive. This is why I designed tees that capture the season's spirit while keeping it sweet and simple.
To see my fall-inspired and Halloween-themed t-shirts and sweatshirts for moms and kids, shop here. Festive Fashion For Her
Two: Pants (Sweatpants & Leggings)
Cozy bottoms are the next fall fashion staple to check off your mommy-shopping list. Sweatpants and leggings are the two non-negotiable pant styles you and your kids need to keep in rotation.
Leggings can be dressed up or down. Throw on an oversized spooky tee with leggings and Ugg boots, and you’re ready for a casual fall outing; wear a long turtleneck sweater and heeled boots and dress for a chilly fall date night.
Sweatpants, known for their comfort, can also be a key element in many fall outfits. Wear wide-leg sweatpants with an oversized sweatshirt for a modern, baggy aesthetic—style joggers with a crop top and cardigan for a cozy and feminine feel.
When shopping for your kids’ fall clothes, do yourself a favor and stock up on a few pairs of leggings (for girls and babies) and cozy sweatpants. They are comfortable for playing, affordable, and low maintenance cleaning-wise.
To shorten the time-consuming shopping process, view my Fall Attire Shopping Guide, which includes bestselling leggings and sweatpants for you and your kids.
Three: Jackets & Cardigans
As the temperature drops from 75 degrees to 48 degrees within a week, layering becomes a necessity. Luckily, this is easy to achieve with a nice cardigan (or two) and a lightweight jacket.
Since kids grow out of clothes quickly, you should do okay with one neutral cardigan and a quality jacket.
To see my selection of stylish jackets & cardigans for moms, shop here. To shop for the kiddos, go here.Four: Boots
Fall boots: perfect for jumping into a pile of crisp, freshly fallen leaves!
As the season changes, you notice how chilly your ankles feel outside. It’s time to shop for cozy boots.
Mom, I’m sure you already have a collection of boots in your closet that you are excited to bust out. This year, consider adding trending boot styles, such as platform boots, slip-ons (primarily UGG Tasmans), combat boots, gaiter boots, heeled cowboy boots, and wide-shaft boots.
For the little ones, keep it simple and buy one or two neutral-colored boots (black and tan, for example).
Take a peek here to see my cute and trendy 2024 boot picks for moms. Save time scouring the internet and shop here for boots perfect for your kids. Five: Halloween Costumes
I’m sure your kids haven’t let you forget this one. To be fair, fall is practically synonymous with the Halloween season.
If you’re looking for trending and tasteful Halloween costume ideas, check out my Halloween Costume Shopping Guide here.
Six: Pajamas
The coziest season deserves the coziest pajamas.
Treat yourself, Mama, to cute and comfy Fall PJs. Add some autumn magic to your bedtime routine, whether you like sets, sleep shirts, or rompers.
Pick out a few long-sleeved pajama sets and/or footie pajamas for your kids that feature Fall or Spooky designs. I like to buy matching pajamas for my little monsters.
View my Fall Attire Shopping guide for moms here, and for children here, to see bestselling seasonal pajamas picks. Bonus: Event Attire
Suppose you plan to attend fall-related events (outing ideas are in the events section). In that case, you may want to consider planning or purchasing outfits, especially if you will be taking family pictures.
You can match outfits or simply make sure you have a few clothing staples that are a bit nicer than just t-shirts and leggings.
For Fall outfit picks, check the Fall Attire for Moms and Kids shopping guides for photo-ready fashion.Download my Fall Outfit Ideas Free PDF here.
Enjoy my free Fall Attire Checklist by downloading it here.
See my complete Fall Fashion Shopping Guides below.
If you are expecting (congrats!) and interested in seeing my Fall Maternity Fashion Shopping Guide, look here.
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3. Fall Food
For many, the best part about fall is the delicious seasonal treats. I honestly don’t trust anyone who doesn’t love caramel, pumpkin, cinnamon, and maple-flavored snacks.
As you know, Fall brings bountiful culinary inspiration. Since this is a mom blog, I will offer easy fall food ideas you can create with kids.
Below, you will find themed snack ideas with links to recipe details if you want to create them.
One: Fall Snack Mix
Think trail mix, but spookier and tastier, too. Fall snack mix is an easy and satisfying treat to make since it requires no baking or skill.
Get creative and assemble your own autumn ensemble, or use my Fall Snack Mix recipe, which is included on my Fall Recipes page.
TWO: APPle Lollipops
This is a spin on the classic caramel apple, made more manageable for kids to take a bite out of (and more fun to decorate).
Slice an apple, add a lollipop stick, and create a variety of flavors and designs. The options are endless: caramel pecan, dipped chocolate marshmallow, spooky sprinkles with Oreo crumble, fall-colored white chocolate graham cracker, and on and on.
Grab your favorite fall toppings and dips and create yummy flavor combinations. My Apple Lollipops Recipe guide is featured on my Fall Recipes page here.
Three: Spooky Dirt Cups
You know, the super appetizing cups of mud and bugs kids love so much? This is a creepy twist on the classic dirt cup featuring Halloween candy favorites.
Create a tasty graveyard, a crumbly pumpkin patch, or a monster’s mud puddle with this cute and easy dessert idea.
To learn more about how to make this snack, view the recipe on my Fall Recipes page.
Four: Pumpkin Spice Frappes
This iconic flavor is like a warm fall hug in a cup. If espresso is your friend. (like it is mine) make two versions: with coffee and without.
Yes, you can buy one at every coffee shop during the fall season, but it’s nice to experience the authentic homemade flavors when you make it yourself from scratch.
If you’d like to see my recipe for at-home pumpkin spice frappucinos, look here on my Fall Recipes page.
Five: Halloween Oreo Brownies
Delicious chunky brownies with a pop of bright orange, perfect for the spooky holiday season. This eye-catching dessert is equally cute and tasty.
As the season changes, look for Oreo’s festive orange and black cookies with imprinted Halloween designs. Next, either buy your favorite brownie mix or gather ingredients for homemade brownies. Last, combine the two and enjoy!
For more details on creating Halloween Oreo Brownies, read the recipe here, which is included on my Fall Recipes page.
Six: Spooky Sugar & Chocolate Chip Cookies (featuring Pillsbury)
This viral Halloween cookie idea is fast, easy, and aesthetically pleasing. Let Pillsbury do the heavy lifting and make cookies that look like art in minutes.
Grab one or more of Pillsbury’s Halloween sugar cookie dough boxes and your preferred ready-to-bake chocolate chip cookie dough, and you’re ready to start.
Next, combine the two cookie doughs, bake in the oven, cool, and serve! See my Fall Recipes page for more details on creating this cookie.
Seven: Pumpkin Ghost Pancakes
Yummy pancakes with a dash of autumn spice and a spooky sweet ghost on top—perfect for a chilly fall morning or whenever you crave festive breakfast food.
Whip up a batch of tasty pumpkin spice pancakes and decorate them with a dollop of whipped cream for the ghost and chocolate chips for the eyes.
For more details about how to create Pumpkin Ghost Pancakes, visit my Fall Recipes page.
Enjoy my free Fall Food Checklist by downloading it here.
4. activities
4. Fall Activities
Kids’ fall fun involves more than counting down to Halloween. These creative fall crafts and activities keep little hands busy while creating core memories.
Keep reading to learn about fall activities for kids that are easy, fun, and, best of all - can be done at home.
One: Fall scavenger hunts
Throw on your jackets and enjoy the fall weather with a fall-themed scavenger hunt. One by one, seek and gather acorns, fallen leaves, spider webs, and more!
To get more ideas on how to do this activity, visit my Kids’ Fall Activities post here.
You can also download my free printable PDF for fall kids’ scavenger hunts here. 
Two: Fall Leaf art
You don’t always need to spend money on craft supplies to create art. Take advantage of the beauty of fall and get creative with the fall leaves right outside your door.
Step one: have your kids gather fall leaves of all different shapes and sizes from the backyard. Step two: using kid-friendly paint, cardstock paper, and glue, create fun designs. Whether they want to make abstract art or use leaf shapes to paint a scene, they will stay entertained for hours.
To learn more about this activity and get inspiration, visit my Kids’ Fall Activities page, where I discuss it further.
View my Fall Activities Shopping Guide here for bestselling craft supplies basics.
Three: Fall & Halloween Inspired Experiments
What kid doesn’t love a cool science experiment? Spooky season is the perfect time to create a bit of at-home magic.
The ideas are endless, but I highlight three: Halloween Potions, Exploding Pumpkins, and Floating Spiders.
Click here to learn how to conduct these experiments and view a shopping guide with all the needed materials.
Four: Fall & Halloween Sensory Bins
Sensory bins are fun to play with and assemble. The options for intriguing and oddly satisfying textures inspired by fall and Halloween are plentiful.
Grab a large plastic bin and fill it with various sensory items. Lean into the fall theme with pinecones, pumpkin seeds, mini pumpkins, corn, and more. Get into the Halloween spirit with forbidden rice, toy spiders, orange pom poms, and plastic eyeballs.
For more ideas for seasonal sensory bins, visit my Kids’ Fall Activities page here.
Additionally, find my Fall Activity shopping guide for help with the best items to buy.
Five: Carving & Painting Pumpkins
You know this one! Decorating pumpkins is an essential on every mom’s fall to-do list. This activity will entertain the whole family; picking pumpkins at the pumpkin patch is half the fun!
For easier cleanup, paint the outside of the pumpkins with no-carve designs. If you don’t mind the mess, gut your pumpkins for a slime-filled sensory experience.
Pro tip: Keep the pumpkin seeds for the next activity.Look here for free trendy and cute pumpkin carving templates and pumpkin painting inspiration pages.
Six: Pumpkin Seed Letters & Shapes
Did you hold onto the pumpkin seeds from pumpkin carving? Don’t worry; if not, you can grab a bag of pumpkin seeds from the store.
Next, get a bottle of glue and cardstock (or construction paper) and instruct your kids to use the seeds to outline letters or shapes. For colorful fun, dye the pumpkin seeds by dividing them into bowls and adding food coloring.
View my Kids’ Fall Activities page here for pumpkin seed art ideas and further instructions.
Look here for my Fall Activities Shopping guide for bestselling craft supplies.
Bonus: Fall reading & Activity books
Fall and Halloween-themed reading and activity books are low-hassle, zero-prep, educational, and lots of fun.
I’ve compiled a list of high-quality kids’ books featuring heartwarming fall stories, emotional awareness, educational resources, and more.
Enjoy my Fall & Halloween Reading & Activity Book Shopping Guide here.
Enjoy my free Fall Activities Checklist by downloading it here.
5. Fall Events
The childhood memories of fall that stick with me most are bundling up, packing into the car, and going to autumn-themed events with the whole family. Something about only being able to go during the fall season every year made it feel more special.
Below, you will find fall event ideas worth the stress of getting everyone dressed and out of the house.
One: Drive-In Movies
Going to a drive-in movie is the perfect outing for introverts: leaving the house while staying in your own space.
Yes, drive-ins are fun any season of the year, but they are best during fall when the weather is perfect for creating a cozy space in the trunk of your car.
Check the weather before buying tickets, and bring plenty of blankets, pillows, and everyone’s favorite snacks. Visit my Fall Events Shopping Guide for recommendations on the best portable snack trays, travel blankets, pillows, and more.
Two: Family Picnic
Yet another family outing capitalizing on the glorious weather fall brings. Also, maybe it’s just me, but the vibes of autumn and picnics make sense together.
Break out the picnic basket and pack (or pick up) yummy food; don’t forget to bring fall-themed snacks like pumpkin cookies or fall snack mix.
Next, pack outdoor toys like frisbees, bubbles, kites, etc., in a tote bag. Last, throw a large picnic blanket in your car before heading out for family fun (make sure it’s big enough—I’ve made this mistake before)!
For ideas and suggestions on what to bring to your fall picnic, visit my Fall Event Shopping Guide here.
Three: Pumpkin Patch
This tradition never gets old. Yes, you can grab a pumpkin outside the local grocery store, but that’s no fun!
Consider a few things when deciding on what pumpkin patch to go to.
Do you have young kids? If so, look for pumpkin patches with activities like bouncy houses, corn pits, and kids’ tractor rides.
Do you want to make a whole day out of it? Find farms that have hay rides and/or petting animals, as well as pumpkins.
Are you going during a mealtime? Check to see if they sell food or if you need to pack something.
Do you want to pay for entry? If you’d rather only pay for your pumpkin and get out, find a farm that doesn’t charge an admission fee.
View my Fall Event Shopping Guide for suggestions on wagons and other tools to make parents' experiences stress-free.
Four: Apple Picking
If you’re looking for an alternative to the typical pumpkin patch experience, consider visiting an apple orchard. They are far less common to find than pumpkin patches, but they are worth the drive for the unique memories.
Before going, check with the apple orchard to see if you need to bring anything, such as blankets, baskets, bags, or food.
View my Fall Event Shopping Guide for recommendations on helpful items to bring to your apple-picking experience.
Five: Farmer’s Market
Nothing puts me in the fall mood quite like browsing a local farmer’s market. Freshly baked bread, caramel apples, and brightly colored mums, what’s not to like?
Support your local farms, artists, and other small businesses by spending a crisp fall day at the farmer’s market. Bring a tote bag, a little cash, and a wagon or stroller for the kids.
View my Fall Events Shopping Guide for suggestions on what to bring on your outing to the farmer’s market.
Six: At-Home Movie Night
You don’t necessarily have to leave the house to have lots of family fun. Throw a spooky movie night in your living room to create fall memories right at home.
Read my post about kids' at-home activities to learn how to take movie night to the next level.
Download my Fall & Halloween Movie Ideas list for free here.
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Enjoy my free Fall Events Checklist by downloading it here.
We’ve come to the end! You are more than ready to enjoy every cozy and spooky aspect of the fall season.
Remember not to overwhelm yourself and to prioritize fun and family connection over perfection or completing a checklist. You’ve got this, Mama!
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