23 Fun Fall Games For Kids (That They’ll Actually Like)
I know you’re probably drowning in permission slips and soccer schedules, but I’ve got something that’ll make you the autumn MVP.
Behold, 23 fantastic fall games for kids that’ll have them burning energy faster than you can say “no more sugar!”
I’ve got more ideas for cool autumn games than your kids have excuses for not cleaning their room. You’re welcome, by the way.
Let’s do this!
Fall Games for Kids (Kid-Approved Awesomeness That Are Seriously Fun
1. Pumpkin Bop
Overview: It’s like bobbing for apples, but dryer and with a higher chance of looking ridiculous.
Objective: Keep a balloon in the air using only a pencil in your mouth.
How to Play:
- Stick a pencil in your mouth (eraser end, friend).
- Toss a balloon in the air.
- Flail wildly trying to keep it airborne.
- The winner is the player who keeps their balloon in the the air the longest.
Bored with Basic Board Games this Fall?
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Make sure you remind kids (or even adults) to be extra careful playing this game. After all, they’re bopping around with pencils in their mouths. If I were you, I’d probably limit how many kids play this game at once. Or at least separate them in different sections to give each kid more room.
2. Candy Corn Run Relay
Overview: Who needs the Olympics when you’ve got candy corn and straws?
Objective: Race candy corn across the room using only the power of your lungs. It’s like the 100-meter dash, but stickier.
How to Play:
- Line up with your trusty straw.
- Suck that candy corn up like it’s the last piece on Earth.
- Run, wheeze, and move the candy corn from a bowl to another bowl across the room – keeping the candy corn sucked into the straw.
- Winner is the one with the most candy corn transfered after 1 minute.
Need a little somethin’ somethin’ to spice up your fall party? Check out 15 Fabulous Fall Festival Games You Need to Try. Some stuff in there might just knock your socks off.
3. Pumpkin Stack
Overview: It’s Jenga meets produce section in this gourd-stacking extravaganza!
Objective: Stack mini pumpkins as high as you can without toppling your tower of terror.
How to Play:
- Start with a sturdy base pumpkin.
- Stack additional pumpkins one by one.
- Hold your breath and keep your fingers crossed.
- The winner has the highest pumpkin stack.
If you want, you can use hard hats as fun party favors. When the pumpkin tower inevitably comes crashing down, the kids’ll be ready for the great gourd avalanche of 2024.
4. Acorn Toss Challenge
Overview: Move over, pumpkin carving! There’s a new fall favorite in town, and it’s nuttier than Aunt Edna’s fruitcake.
Objective: Channel your inner squirrel and toss those acorns into cups like your winter stash depends on it!
How to Play:
- Grab a buddy (preferably one with good aim).
- Stand 10 feet away from your target cup.
- Take turns tossing acorns, aiming for that sweet, sweet cup victory.
- The team htat has the most acorns caught in their cup at the end of a minute wins.
Think you can handle 25 minute doses of autumn adrenaline? Hop on over and leaf through my list of fall minute-to-win-it madness: 25 Fun Fall Minute to Win It Games to Spice Up Any Party. I dare you not to get excited!
5. Doughnut Eating Challenge
Overview: Ever wanted to look like a dog trying to catch a frisbee? Here’s your chance!
Objective: Eat a hanging doughnut without using your hands, because utensils are for quitters.
How to Play:
- Hang doughnuts at mouth level.
- All players have hands behind their backs, no cheating.
- Attack that doughnut like it insulted your mother.
- Whoever finishes their donut (or the most donut) wins.
If you’re viewing this on a mobile device, put your finger on the table below and swipe to the left (or right) to see the full table.
| Game | Objective | Pros | Cons | Helpful Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pumpkin Bop | Keep balloon airborne with pencil in mouth | No mess, hilarious to watch | Potential for embarrassment | Remove dentures first |
| Candy Corn Run Relay | Race candy corn with straws | Unique twist on relay races | Risk of inhaling candy | Practice in private |
| Pumpkin Stack | Stack mini pumpkins as high as possible | Tests balance and patience | Potential pumpkin mess | Keep a hard hat handy |
| Acorn Toss Challenge | Toss acorns into cups | Uses natural materials, easy setup | Acorns can be hard to find | Practice aim beforehand |
| Doughnut Eating Challenge | Eat hanging doughnut hands-free | Delicious reward, funny to watch | Messy, potential choking hazard | Wear dark clothes |
6. Pumpkin Goo Relay
Overview: Get ready to get your hands dirty in this slimy, satisfying race to the finish!
Objective: Transfer pumpkin innards faster than your competitors, because nothing says “fall fun” quite like being elbow-deep in gourd guts.
How to Play:
- Set up buckets of pumpkin innards.
- Form teams and line up.
- Scoop, run, dump, repeat until you’re covered in orange goo and sweat.
- Team with all their goo transfered first wins.
Have little trash bag “poncho” ready for the kids to wear. They’ll look like deranged pumpkin surgeons, but at least their clothes will survive.
7. Apple Jack Thread Game
Overview: Who knew dental floss for cereal could be so entertaining? Get ready to thread faster than your grandma on a quilting binge!
Objective: Thread as many Apple Jacks or Froot Loops onto a pipe cleaner as possible before the clock runs out – about a minute
How to Play:
- Grab a pipe cleaner and a bowl of cereal.
- Use one hand (no cheating, you sneaky devil!).
- Thread those O’s like your life depends on it.
- The player with the most cereal threaded in a minute wins.
8. Leaf Blower Race
Overview: It’s time to put a straw to good use in a race that’ll blow you away!
Objective: Guide your leaf across the finish line using nothing but the power of hot air (coming through a straw).
How to Play:
- Mark a start and finish line.
- Fire up those leaf blowers.
- Channel your inner tornado and guide that leaf to victory.
- Whoever gets to the finished line first wins!
Add some obstacles for an extra challenge. Nothing says “autumn fun” like trying to navigate a leaf through a maze of lawn gnomes!
9. Candy Corn Stack
Overview: It’s Jenga meets dentist’s nightmare in this precarious balancing act!
Objective: Players stack those tricolor treats higher than your holiday credit card bill.
How to Play:
- Start with a steady hand and a dream.
- Stack candy corn piece by piece.
- Hold your breath, cross your fingers, and hope the tower doesn’t fall.
- Whoever’s tower is left standing at the end of a minute, wins the game.
Keep a vacuum handy. When (not if) someone’s tower topples, you’ll be ready for the great candy corn cleanup of 2024.
10. Pom Pom Relay
Overview: It’s a fuzzy frenzy of fall fun that’ll have players sucking up more than just pride!
Objective: Transfer colorful pom poms using only a turkey baster
How to Play:
- Fill a bowl with pom poms.
- Arm players with a turkey baster.
- Suck and transfer those fuzzy balls like crazy.
- Whoever has the most transfered at the end of a minute wins.
If you’re viewing this on a mobile device, put your finger on the table below and swipe to the left (or right) to see the full table.
| Game | Objective | Pros | Cons | Helpful Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pumpkin Goo Relay | Transfer pumpkin innards quickly | Messy fun, great for groups | Very messy, potential stains | Wear a poncho |
| Apple Jack Thread Game | Thread cereal onto pipe cleaner | Uses common household items | Potential choking hazard | Try after coffee for extra challenge |
| Leaf Blower Race | Guide leaf with leaf blower | Uses fall yard tools creatively | Noisy, potential for flying debris | Wear goggles |
| Candy Corn Stack | Stack candy corn as high as possible | Tests steadiness, edible game pieces | Sticky mess when tower falls | Keep vacuum handy |
| Pom Pom Relay | Transfer pom poms with turkey baster | Unique use of Thanksgiving tool | Potential for dizziness | Take deep breaths between rounds |
11. Pine Cone Bocce
Overview: It’s time to get your bocce on, forest-style! Who needs fancy balls when you’ve got nature’s own spiky projectiles?
Objective: Get your pine cone closer to the target than your opponents. It’s like horseshoes, but way more au naturel.
How to Play:
- Paint pine cones for team colors (optional, but fabulous).
- Toss a small target pine cone.
- Take turns hurling your team’s cones, aiming for proximity perfection.
- Whoever’s team pine cone is the closest to the target after 3 throws each is the winner.
Create “power-up” zones on the playing field. If your pine cone lands in one, you get a special advantage for your next throw.
12. Candy Cornado
Overview: It’s a twister of treats, a hurricane of sugar, a veritable storm of sweetness!
Objective: Transfer candy corn from one bottle to another in 60 seconds, because apparently, we didn’t have enough ways to play with our food.
How to Play:
- Get two, empty 2 liter bottles and a heap of candy corn.
- Start the timer and begin the great corn migration.
- Watch as candy flies everywhere except where it’s supposed to go.
Snag 2 empty, rinsided out, 2-liter soda bottles. First, fill one of the 2-liter bottles with candy—just a third, don’t get greedy. Next, pop the other bottle on top, align those openings, and tape them together like a crafty mastermind. Set a stopwatch and dare a player to transfer all the candy from one bottle to the other in a minute.
13. Pumpkin Head Relay
Overview: It’s a head-balancing act that’ll have you wobbling like a newborn giraffe!
Objective: Race with a mini pumpkin balanced on your noggin, because regular running just isn’t challenging enough.
How to Play:
- Place a mini pumpkin on your head.
- Walk, don’t run to the finish line (unless you enjoy concussions).
- If you drop your pumpkin, you have to pick it up and put it back on your head before continuing the race.
- First to the finish line without dropping their gourd wins.
Have kids practice their “royal wave” beforehand. You’ll need something to do with their hands while they’re trying not to face-plant.
14. Candy Corn on the Cob
Overview: It’s time to give those sad, lonely bananas a Halloween makeover!
Objective: Create an edible masterpiece that’s part fruit, part candy, and all ridiculous.
How to Play:
- Peel a banana (don’t slip, champ).
- Stick candy corn all over it like it owes you money.
- The player that sticks the most candy corn into the banana in one minute wins.
- Players marvel at their creations, then eat it shamelessly.
Ever had a game night where the only thing organized was the chaos? Same.
This Facebook group is like that one drawer full of random stuff in your kitchen; it’s a bit of everything and somehow EXACTLY what you need. Dive into the treasure trove of laughs, printable games and tips for moms who wish “winging it with style” was a recognized party planning strategy.
15. Candy Corn Chopsticks
Overview: Think you’re a chopstick master? Let’s see how you handle the pressure when sugar is on the line! (P.S. This game is a probably better for slightly older kids. Think tweens!)
Objective: Transfer candy corn using chopsticks before the clock runs out and dreams are crushed.
How to Play:
- Grab your chopsticks (no training wheels allowed).
- Start the timer and begin the great corn migration. You want to move as much candy corn from one bowl to another one next to you as you can – with chopsticks.
- More candy corn transferred than anyone else means you win!
If you want to pair the festivities with a little something sweet, check out this recipe for a cute pumpkin buttercream board. It’s a quick, easy fall dessert that you’re kid’ll love more than leftover Halloween candy.
If you’re viewing this on a mobile device, put your finger on the table below and swipe to the left (or right) to see the full table.
| Game | Objective | Pros | Cons | Helpful Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pine Cone Bocce | Toss pine cones closest to target | Uses natural materials, outdoor fun | Potential for prickly fingers | Teammates should encourage each other – like crazy |
| Candy Cornado | Transfer candy corn between bottles | Fast-paced, exciting | Messy, potential sugar overload | Shake those bottles like crazy |
| Pumpkin Head Relay | Race balancing pumpkin on head | Hilarious to watch, tests balance | Risk of pumpkin drops | Practice “royal wave” |
| Candy Corn on the Cob | Create candy corn-covered banana | Creative, edible craft | Sugary mess, potential waste | Have lots of candy corn on hand |
| Candy Corn Chopsticks | Transfer candy corn with chopsticks | Tests dexterity, unique challenge | Frustrating for some | Let kids have a “try it” round |
16. Capture The Pumpkin
Overview: It’s capture the flag with a gourd-geous twist! Time to channel your inner pumpkin pirate.
Objective: Snatch the enemy’s prized pumpkin and bring it back to your base without getting tagged.
How to Play:
- Divide into two teams, each with a base and a pumpkin.
- Strategize like your Fall Fest depends on it.
- Kids run, dodge, and hope they don’t trip over your own feet.
Kids should consider a diversion tactic. Nothing says “strategic genius” quite like having your fastest runner dress up as a scarecrow to confuse the enemy.
17. Scarecrow Dress Up Relay
Overview: It’s Project Runway meets Wizard of Oz in this hilarious race to dress up your very own scarecrow!
Objective: Be the first team to turn your human mannequin into a runway-ready scarecrow.
How to Play:
- Kids split into teams and pick their lucky “scarecrow” volunteer.
- On “go,” sprint to the pile of farm-chic attire like your life depends on it.
- Dress your scarecrow faster than you’ve ever dressed yourself on a Monday morning.
- Whoever’s “scarecrow” is dressed first win.
Make sure you have enough baggy “scarecrow” clothes for each team to use for the game. I recommend big pants and a flannel shirt, socks, a straw hat, and maybe – if you’re feeling adventurous a small bale of hay, so players can stuff their “scarecrow” properly.
18. Pumpkin Hunt
Overview: It’s like an Easter egg hunt, but orange and a lot more mainstream for adults.
Objective: Find hidden mini pumpkins faster than a caffeinated squirrel on a nutty mission.
How to Play:
- Hide mini pumpkins around your yard or house. I think it’s fun to add it in both places, but it’s totally up to you.
- Set a time limit for the great gourd hunt.
- Release the hounds… I mean, hunters!
- Whoever find the most pumpkins wins.
If you’re feeling like being a little naughty, hide a few zucchinis painted orange. Watch as confusion and chaos when someone triumphantly holds up their “pumpkin.”
19. Scarecrow Tag
Overview: It’s freeze tag with a harvest twist! Time to perfect that scarecrow impression.
Objective: Avoid getting tagged, or freeze in your best scarecrow pose until freed.
How to Play:
- Choose one player to be the “farmer.”
- Run like the crows are after you.
- If tagged, freeze in a scarecrow pose until a teammate frees you.
Have kids practice their scarecrow poses beforehand. Nothing says “I’m the Boss of Fall ” like a perfectly rehearsed “arms out, head tilted” freeze during Scarecrow Tag.
20. Pass the Pumpkin Relay
Overview: It’s hot potato’s autumnal cousin, with 100% more orange and 200% more awkward. This is a fantastic game for a large group of kids.
Objective: Pass a pumpkin over and under in a line, racing to the finish faster than the other teams.
How to Play:
- Form teams and line up.
- First person passes pumpkin overhead, next person takes it between legs.
- Alternate until you reach the end, then the last person races the pumpkin back to the finish.
- Whoever finishes first wins the game.
Choose pumpkins that aren’t too heavy, unless you want to combine your fall festivities with an impromptu weightlifting competition.
If you’re viewing this on a mobile device, put your finger on the table below and swipe to the left (or right) to see the full table.
| Game | Objective | Pros | Cons | Helpful Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capture The Pumpkin | Steal opponent’s pumpkin without being tagged | Active, strategic gameplay | Potential for collisions | Use diversion tactics |
| Scarecrow Relay Race | Work in teams to dress a teammate like a scarecrow more quickly than other teams | Unique and fun activity | Costume discomfort | Get comfortable, safe costumes |
| Pumpkin Hunt | Find hidden mini pumpkins | Exciting for all ages | Time-consuming setup | Hide fake pumpkins for laughs |
| Scarecrow Tag | Avoid being tagged or freeze like scarecrow | Active, creative gameplay | May be tiring | Have kids practice scarecrow poses |
| Pass the Pumpkin Relay | Pass pumpkin over/under in relay race | Great teambuilding exercise | Potential for dropped pumpkins | Choose the right-sized pumpkin |
21. Candy Corn Relay
Overview: It’s a sweet race that’ll have you scooping faster a squirrel climbs after a nut
Objective: Transfer candy corn from one bowl to another using only a spoon, because apparently, we needed another reason to play with our food.
How to Play:
- Set up bowls of candy corn for each team.
- Arm yourself with a spoon (no ladles, cheaters!).
- Scoop and run like your sugar high depends on it.
Warning: This Game May Cause Uncontrollable Cackles
This Halloween Most Likely To… game has you and you friends vote on hilarious scenarios like who’s most likely to befriend a ghost or survive a zombie apocalypse. With scenarios ranging from the serious to the silly, this game will have you and your guests howling all night! DOWNLOAD this freebie now.
22. Leaf Stepping Race
Overview: It’s like “the floor is lava,” but with a crunchy, fall twist!
Objective:
Navigate the leaf-strewn path without touching the ground. Kids can pretend they’re squirrels if it helps.
How to Play:
- Create a path using paper or real leaves.
- Players must step only on the leaves to cross.
- Touch the ground, and you’re out!
- Fastest leaf-stepper to complete the course wins.
23. Flashlight Tag
Overview:
It’s hide and seek’s cooler, nocturnal cousin. Time to embrace your inner moth!
Objective: Avoid getting caught in the beam of the seeker’s flashlight. It’s like dodging the spotlight, but way more fun.
How to Play:
- One player is “it” with a flashlight.
- Others hide in the dark.
- “It” tries to spot players with the flashlight beam.
- If caught in the light, you’re the new “it.”
Players should wear dark clothes. Unless they want to be found faster than a neon sign in a blackout.
If you’re viewing this on a mobile device, put your finger on the table below and swipe to the left (or right) to see the full table.
| Game | Objective | Pros | Cons | Helpful Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candy Corn Relay | Transfer candy corn from one bowl to another using only a spoon, because apparently, we needed another reason to play with our food. | Sweet, fun, and competitive. | Potential for candy corn spills. | Use a spoon, no ladles allowed! Scoop and run like your sugar high depends on it. |
| Leaf Stepping Race | Navigate the leaf-strewn path without touching the ground. Kids can pretend they’re squirrels if it helps. | Encourages balance and coordination. | Risk of slipping on leaves. | Use paper or real leaves to create the path. Step only on the leaves to cross. Touch the ground, and you’re out! |
| Flashlight Tag | Avoid getting caught in the beam of the seeker’s flashlight. It’s like dodging the spotlight, but way more fun. | Exciting and great for night-time fun. | Requires a dark space to play. | One player is “it” with a flashlight. Others hide in the dark. “It” tries to spot players with the flashlight beam. If caught in the light, you’re the new “it.” |
Ever had a game night where the only thing organized was the chaos? Same.
This Facebook group is like that one drawer full of random stuff in your kitchen; it’s a bit of everything and somehow EXACTLY what you need. Dive into the treasure trove of laughs, printable games and tips for moms who wish “winging it with style” was a recognized party planning strategy.
Fall Party Planning: Kid Edition
Time to create some autumn magic:
- Go wild with those fall colors! Think pumpkin-patch orange, apple-red, and chocolate-brown. The kids will love it!
- Bring the outdoors in. Scatter some leaves, mini pumpkins, and pinecones around. Just watch out for any budding leaf-pile jumpers in your living room!
- Set up a s’mores station. Because nothing says “fall party” like sticky fingers and chocolate-smeared grins, right?
- Queue up a playlist that screams “sweater weather.” Bonus points if you can get the kids to boogie to some harvest-themed tunes.
- Whip up some kid-friendly fall drinks. Hot apple cider, anyone? Hey, even cold cider could be a hit. (Maybe save the PSLs for the grown-ups)
Safety First: Keeping the Fun in Fall
Let’s keep those kiddos safe while they’re having a blast:
- Do a quick sweep for any trip hazards. We want leaf-crunching, not face-planting.
- Have a first aid kit handy. Because band-aids with cartoon characters can fix almost anything.
- Keep an eye on the little ones, especially during games. No acorn-up-the-nose incidents on our watch!
- Hydration station! Even if it’s cool out, those little party animals need to drink up.
- Check for allergies before serving snacks. The only thing we want swelling at this party is the fun!
Follow these tips, and you’ll be the coolest parent on the block.
Your fall party will be so awesome, the kids might even forget about Halloween for a hot minute. (Okay, maybe that’s pushing it, but folks can dream, right?)
Now you can go forth and create some fall memories that’ll last longer than that bag of Halloween candy you’ve hidden in the top cabinet!
Your Turn (Let’s Get a Little Social)
What’s your favorite kids game for fall? You know that one that you’d totally play if it wasn’t for the fact that the kids think you’re too old to play it right (little stinkers). Let me know in the comments below.