Fall is the perfect time to get outside, spend quality time together as a family, and make lasting memories! Enjoy the cooler weather with a fall hike, take advantage of amazing family events, and dive into fall fun with these 40 ideas! 

Jaycees Feargrounds Kid’s Day

Families! Experience our haunted attraction with the lights on at Jaycees Feargrounds Kid’s Day! Collect candy from friendly volunteers in our decorated maze. See spooky decor without the scares. Fun activities outside too! Perfect for brave and cautious kids alike. Join us for Halloween excitement on October 13th, 2-4 PM! 

Mazing Acres Pumpkin Patch

Discover Mazing Acres, where fun and adventure await! Pick your own pumpkins and flowers, enjoy delicious fall treats, and explore over 30 exciting attractions. With live music and endless photo ops, there’s something for everyone. Bring your friends and family for unforgettable fall memories at Mazing Acres Pumpkin Patch!  

Riverview Christmas Tree Farm’s Pumpkin Festival

Bring out your family and friends to enjoy a fall day on September 28-29, October 5-6, 12-13, 19-20. Enjoy activities for all ages like pumpkin picking, fall treats, farm animals, LIVE music, shopping and so much more! Weekday field trips are available. Book today! 

Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation

Find your fun all fall long. Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation has programs for children to senior citizens to keep you recreating in September and October. Explore! Connect! Play!

 

South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks

Explore South Dakota State Parks with a lodging stay! Palisades and Newton Hills State Parks, near Sioux Falls, offer accommodations with all the comforts of home. Great for holiday gatherings, birthday parties, baby showers, or a quiet getaway. Full kitchens, private bedrooms, bathrooms, and lots of indoor and outdoor space. 

The Country Apple Orchard

The Country Apple Orchard is 50 acres of fun for the whole family! With over 20 attractions, a petting zoo, concessions, live music, zip lines, apple cannons, and so much more, you’ll have hours of fun together! And don’t forget to take a tractor ride to pick apples and pumpkins!  

SDGFP Outdoor Campus Sioux Falls

The Outdoor Campus is your connection for FREE, fall fun!  With a variety of hands-on classes in hunting, fishing, outdoor skills, and conservation, the Campus has a class that is right for your family.  Visitors can also enjoy our butterfly garden, playscape, and over 2 miles of trails.  

Children’s Museum of South Dakota

Play all day! A trip to the Children’s Museum of South Dakota offers interactive, hands-on exhibits and an experience you will never forget! From the hustle and bustle of KidStreet to the 2-story Cloud Climber, there’s something for everyone. Even Tyrannosaurus rexes!   

Cherry Rock Farms

Cherry Rock Farms is your local one-stop farm for all your fall fun. We will have all the varieties of pumpkins in our you-pick patch, a corn maze, hayrides, goats, and more. Our market is stocked full of fresh veggies. Perfect stop for your family!  

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park and Corn Maze

The Corn Maze at Jellystone Park has over 7 acres of twists, turns and dead ends carved into corn stalks that reach over your head! Whether you solve the maze under blue skies, with flashlights, or the light of the moon on a starry night, you will experience a fun adventure. 

Halloween at Lake Lorraine

Halloween at Lake Lorraine features a free, family-friendly trick-or-treat experience along the west side of the Lake Walk, including multiple candy stations and photo opportunities with princesses, superheroes, and mascots. Join us Saturday, Oct. 12, from 1-3 p.m. This event is family-friendly and free for all ages to attend.  

Spooky Science

Kirby Science Discovery Center: October 26, 2024 | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. All-day event filled with activities for all ages! You will get to explore art and science while experimenting with oozing pumpkins, gummy worm dissections, and more! Costumes are encouraged but not required. 

Additional Fall Fun

  1. Family Gratitude Garland: Create a gratitude garland by writing what each family member is thankful for on colorful leaves, then string them together to display as a festive reminder of the season.
  1. Fall Baking Extravaganza: Spend a day baking fall treats like pumpkin pies, apple crisps, and spiced cookies, filling your home with the comforting aromas of autumn. Pick up some fall produce from a local farmers market.
  1. Pumpkin Carving or Painting: Get creative with pumpkin carving, turning pumpkins into spooky, funny, or beautiful decorations for your home. For families with younger kids, try pumpkin painting! 
  1. Star Gazing: Bundle up and head outdoors to gaze at the stars on a crisp fall night, taking advantage of the clear autumn skies. Check out a star constellation book from your local library and try to find different designs in the sky! 
  1. Fall Camping: Enjoy the cooler weather and vibrant fall colors with a fall camping trip, complete with cozy campfires, hot cocoa, and the sounds of nature. Visit thehoodmagazine.com to read our camping guide and favorite camping spots near Sioux Falls. 
  1. Homemade Caramel Apples: For a fun and tasty treat, make your own caramel apples at home. Dip the apples in caramel and add toppings like nuts, chocolate, or sprinkles.
  1. Bonfire Night: Gather around a backyard bonfire with friends and family, roasting marshmallows, telling stories, and enjoying the warmth on a chilly evening.
  1. Farmers Market Visits: Explore a local farmers market for fresh fall produce, handmade goods, and seasonal treats like cider donuts and pumpkin bread.
  1. Fall Photo Shoot: Capture the beauty of the season with a family photo shoot among the colorful leaves. Visit nearby State Parks for the perfect fall photoshoot location. 
  1. Hayride Experience: Take a hayride through fields or forests, a classic fall activity that’s fun for all ages and often available at farms and festivals.
  1. Fall Crafts: Get crafty with fall-themed projects like making leaf prints, decorating pine cones, or creating a wreath with natural materials.
  1. Apple Tasting: Host an apple tasting at home, trying different varieties of apples to discover your family’s favorites for snacking, baking, or cider-making. Visit a local apple orchard or farmers market to get several different apple varieties to try! 
  1. Trunk-or-Treats: Participate in a trunk-or-treat event, where kids can trick-or-treat from decorated car trunks in a safe, community setting. Visit our online calendar in October for many different Truck-or-Treat options! 
  1. Fall Festivals: Attend a fall festival to enjoy seasonal foods, games, crafts, and entertainment that celebrate the spirit of autumn.
  1. DIY Halloween Costumes: Get creative with your family by making DIY Halloween costumes! Plan ahead so that you have the time to make a perfect costume come Halloween. 
  1. Corn Maze Adventures: Challenge yourself to navigate a corn maze, a fun outdoor activity that’s perfect for all ages. Many fall festivals have a corn maze. 
  1. Nature Scavenger Hunt: Organize a nature scavenger hunt, where kids can search for fall treasures like acorns, colorful leaves, and pinecones. Visit a nearby State Park or the Outdoor Campus for your scavenger hunt. 
  1. Outdoor Movie Night: Set up an outdoor movie night in your backyard with cozy blankets, popcorn, and a favorite fall film under the stars. 
  1. Fall Hiking: Take a hike to enjoy the crisp air and vibrant colors of the changing leaves. Visit us online for our list of favorite fall hiking locations near Sioux Falls! 
  1. Homemade Soup Cooking: Warm up with homemade soup, using seasonal ingredients like squash, pumpkins, and root vegetables to create hearty and comforting dishes. 
  1. Fall or Halloween 5K: Participate in a fall or Halloween 5K run! The crisp fall air is perfect for a fun 5K with your family. 
  1. Fall Nature Walk: Enjoy a crisp fall walk with your family! Walk around your community or enjoy a walk on the Bike Path by the river. Take the time to have intentional conversations with your family.
  1. Harvest Decorations: Get the whole family involved for fall decorating! Collect fall foliage to make a beautiful wreath, carve pumpkins, or create a fall leaf garland. Make sure to focus less on how beautiful the final project is and focus more on creating memories with your family. 

24: Try a New Soup Recipe: Experiment in the kitchen and make some hearty soups perfect for cooler weather. 

25: Try Geocaching: Explore your area with a modern-day treasure hunt in the beautiful fall weather.  

26: Plan a Weekend Getaway: Fall is the perfect time for a quick family vacation! Check out our online weekend trip guides to Omaha, Des Moines, the Twin Cities, and Kansas City!