Fall is here, and with it comes crisp mornings, colorful leaves, cozy sweaters, pumpkin spice, and plenty of reasons to get out and enjoy the season together! From exploring the outdoors, visiting local fall favorites, baking something delicious, or simply enjoying a cozy night at home, fall is full of opportunities to make memories.
We’ve gathered up family-friendly fall activities to help you find new adventures, rediscover old favorites, and squeeze every bit of fun out of this short Midwest season. So grab a jacket, round up the kids, and get ready to fall into some family fun!
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 playscape and over 2 miles of trails.
Address: 4500 S Oxbow Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57106
Phone: (605) 362-2777
Celebrate local foods by joining the South Dakota Crunch Off! Schools, daycares, families, and more are invited to “crunch” or take a bite into a locally grown fruit, vegetable, nut, popcorn, or meat stick. Visit our website for kid-friendly activities and to register your “crunch” for the event.
Mazing Acres is a fall family destination near Yankton featuring over 30 attractions, including a massive corn maze, pumpkin patch, flower fields, farm animals, and unforgettable photo ops. Kids can slide, bounce, climb, and explore all day long—there’s something fun for every age! Open weekends September–October.
Address: 30851 433rd Ave, Yankton, SD 57078
Phone: (605) 760-2759
Come make fall memories with us at the farm. We will have a pick-your-own pumpkin patch, corn maze, hayrides, petting zoo, and food trucks. Our on-site farm market will have all the fall veggies for your family to enjoy as well.
Address: 48105 264th St, Brandon, SD 57005
Phone: (605) 582-3783
Climb the clouds, harvest a field, and even fix a car! It’s always a new adventure at the Children’s Museum of South Dakota, where imagination is as big as our skies. Our experience is open-ended and child-led, but be careful, grown-ups have just as much fun! Let’s play!
Address: 521 4th St, Brookings, SD 57006
Phone: (605) 692-6700
Trade the Pumpkin Patch for Something Unexpected! Bring the family to the Washington Pavilion for hands-on science,artand discovery all season long. Explore 100+ interactive exhibits, experience our new constructionexhibitanddon’tmiss Spooky Science on Oct. 24 for Halloween fun the whole family will love.
Address: 301 S Main Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Phone: (605) 367-6000
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.
Address: 26014 478th Ave, Brandon, SD 57005
Phone: (605) 332-2233
The Country Apple Orchard is 50 acres of fun for the whole family! With over 20 attractions, a petting zoo, food trucks, zip lines, apple cannons, corn pit, 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!
Address:27249 SD-115, Harrisburg, SD 57032
Phone: (605) 743-2424
Cancel the babysitter. Great Shots has something for everyone. Great food and drinks, over fifty bays of golf, and fun activities for kids. It’s the best parts of all your favorite places, plus golf.
Address: 2505 West Benson Rd, Sioux Falls, SD 57107
Phone: 605.312.7950
Kid’s Day is back at the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds, rain or shine, on October 12 from 2-4 p.m.! Enjoy games, inflatables, Mister Twister, princesses, reptiles, candy, and more. Families can also explore the full haunted maze with lights on—spooky fun for those who are brave, parent discretion advised.
Address:100 N Lyon Blvd, Sioux Falls, SD 57107
Phone: (605) 215-1031
Enjoy a fall day at the Riverview Christmas Tree Farm September 26-27, October 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, and 24-25! Pick pumpkins, blast the pumpkin and apple cannons, mine for rocks, dive in the corn pit, visit farm animals, enjoy fall treats, live music, shopping, and more. Weekday field trips available, book today!
Address:48392 278th St, Canton, SD 57013
Phone: (605) 743-0521
Looking for More this Fall?
Looking for even more ways to keep your kids active and having fun this fall? Explore the ‘hood Magazine’s complete Sioux Falls Youth Sports & Activities Guide, sponsored by SDSU Extension. This guide features local sports leagues, dance studios, swimming lessons, martial arts, STEM programs, and dozens of other activities for kids of every age.
Even More Fall Fun...
Geocaching: Go on a real-world treasure hunt using a GPS or smartphone to find hidden geocaches. It’s a fun way to explore the outdoors together as a family while enjoying the crisp fall air.
Give Back: Spend a day giving back to your community by volunteering, donating gently used items, or making care packages. It’s a great way to teach kids the importance of kindness and helping others.
Chili Cook-Off: Host a friendly competition where family and friends make their best chili recipes. Taste each one and vote for your favorite while enjoying all the delicious flavors of fall.
Outdoor Cooking: Build a campfire in the backyard or at a campsite and cook a meal outdoors. From foil packet dinners to roasted marshmallows, it’s a cozy and memorable fall experience.
Candle Making: Make your own fall-scented candles (like apple cinnamon or pumpkin spice) for cozy evenings.
Mini Pumpkin Bowling: Set up plastic bottles as pins and use mini pumpkins as bowling balls for a fun indoor or outdoor game.
Fall-themed Cookie Decorating: Bake sugar cookies in leaf, pumpkin, or acorn shapes and decorate them with festive fall colors.
Bake Pumpkin Bread: Spend an afternoon baking warm, spiced pumpkin bread. Check out our recipe for pumpkin bread online!
Fall Biking Adventure: Hop on your bikes and enjoy the Sioux Falls Bike Trail or head out to a quiet country road to enjoy the beautiful fall colors and cooler weather.
Fall Fishing Trip: Spend a crisp morning at a lake or river trying your luck at catching fish before the water freezes over.
Outdoor Movie Night: Set up an outdoor movie night in your backyard with cozy blankets, popcorn, and a favorite fall film under the stars.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
Bonfire Night: Gather around a backyard bonfire with friends and family, roasting marshmallows, telling stories, and enjoying the warmth on a chilly evening.
Farmers Market Visits: Explore a local farmers market for fresh fall produce, handmade goods, and seasonal treats like cider donuts and pumpkin bread.
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.
Fall Crafts: Get crafty with fall-themed projects like making leaf prints, decorating pine cones, or creating a wreath with natural materials.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
