The air turns crisp, leaves turn into a crunchy rainbow under your feet, and every gathering suddenly feels cozier. For kids, it’s not just about sweaters and cider—fall is full of adventure and playful possibilities. And what better way to celebrate the season than with a party filled with fun games?
Whether you’re planning a backyard bash, a school fall festival, or a cozy indoor get-together, the right games can turn a good event into a great one. So let’s get creative, get active, and get a little silly with these 18 festive fall party games that will keep kids entertained from the first pumpkin toss to the final leaf pile jump.
1.Leaf Pile Treasure Hunt
What happens when you mix a classic scavenger hunt with a mountain of crunchy fall leaves?
You get a giggle-filled treasure hunt that makes use of the season’s most natural resource—fallen leaves! Simply hide small trinkets, mini pumpkins, or wrapped candies inside a big pile of leaves and let the kids dig, dive, and discover.
This game adds:
- Sensory fun (who doesn’t love leaf crunches?)
- A healthy burst of energy
- A chance to use imagination while “digging for gold”
Want to level it up? Time each child or team to see who finds the most treasures within a minute. Guaranteed chaos—in the best way.
2.Pumpkin Bowling
Why use regular pins when you’ve got hay bales and mini pumpkins?
All you need are a few gourds and some empty bottles or decorated cans as your pins. Line them up at the end of a makeshift lane and let the kids roll small pumpkins to knock them over.
Here’s why it works:
- It’s unexpected (and a little wobbly)
- It’s simple to set up
- It gets kids laughing at the unpredictable rolls
Plus, it turns traditional bowling on its head—literally. Pumpkins bounce. They zigzag. It’s all part of the fun.
3.Apple Stack Challenge
Think apples are just for eating or bobbing? Think again.
This balance-based game challenges kids to stack as many apples as possible on top of one another without them toppling. Spoiler: it’s harder than it sounds.
You’ll need:
- Medium-sized apples
- A flat surface or table
- A timer for extra challenge
The game brings out the quiet concentration before the hilarious crash. Kids love watching their towers wobble and fall—and then trying again with even more determination.
4.Candy Corn Relay Race
This one’s sweet, literally and figuratively.
Split the kids into teams and give them each a spoon and a bowl of candy corn. At the other end of the play area, place empty jars or buckets. The goal? Run across and drop the candy using only the spoon.
It’s a game of:
- Balance and coordination
- Team cheering
- Delicious motivation
You can even offer the leftover candy corn as a prize—or, better yet, use it for the next round!
5.Harvest Ring Toss
This classic game gets an autumn twist when you swap pegs for corn stalks or mini scarecrows.
Create a ring toss station using:
- Wooden stakes or pumpkins with stems
- Rope rings or glow-in-the-dark hoops
- A little fall-themed decor to set the vibe
It’s simple but endlessly entertaining. Kids will keep tossing “just one more time” to try to land the perfect shot.
6.Scarecrow Dress-Up Race
What’s more fall than a good old scarecrow?
Lay out mismatched flannel shirts, straw hats, oversized pants, and scarves. Divide kids into teams. When the whistle blows, one child from each team races to dress like a scarecrow—layers and all—then tags the next in line.
This game is:
- Fast-paced
- Hilarious to watch
- Full of giggles and teamwork
By the end, you’ve got a yard full of little scarecrows waddling around in floppy hats. Win-win.
7.Cornhole with a Twist
Cornhole is already a fall favorite—but let’s spice it up.
Decorate your boards with pumpkins, ghosts, or autumn leaves. Instead of bean bags, use mini fabric pumpkins or stuffed apples. Add themed rules like “If your pumpkin lands in the hole, you must do a happy fall dance!”
Twists like these:
- Keep things fresh
- Add laughter to classic rules
- Let kids create their own funny penalties
Suddenly, a simple toss game becomes the main event.
8.Pumpkin Spoon Balance
We’ve all seen egg-and-spoon races—but in fall, it’s all about pumpkins.
Use small decorative pumpkins or gourd-shaped balls. Kids must balance one on a spoon and race to the finish line. Drop the pumpkin? You’re back to the start!
This game:
- Tests balance and focus
- Encourages cheering and good sportsmanship
- Creates tons of suspense
Add variations like walking backward or doing it blindfolded for older kids who need an extra challenge.
9.Leaf Limbo
Who can go the lowest under the hanging vine?
Create a limbo line using twine and attach paper leaves, fall garlands, or mini pumpkins. Play seasonal music and keep lowering the line after every round.
Kids love:
- Showing off their flexibility
- Laughing at each other’s bendy moves
- Competing in a light-hearted, goofy way
Bonus points if the music is something festive and funny, like “Monster Mash” or “The Turkey Trot.”
10.Haystack Maze Adventure
Got some space in the backyard or school field?
Create a mini maze using hay bales and let kids race through it, find hidden objects, or solve fall-themed clues. You can even make it spooky (but not too spooky) for Halloween flair.
Why this game stands out:
- It encourages exploration
- It uses natural fall props
- It turns your outdoor space into a game zone
Plus, hay bale mazes double as a cool photo spot!
11.Bobbing for Apples — No Water Required
Let’s skip the germs but keep the fun.
Hang apples from strings on a tree branch or pole. Blindfolded kids try to “bite” the apple without using their hands. It’s as funny to watch as it is to play.
Why kids love it:
- It’s tricky and unexpected
- It requires focus
- It sparks tons of cheering
And yes, it’s totally okay if they end up just spinning in circles for a while.
12.Pumpkin Ring Toss
Another version of ring toss but with full-sized pumpkins and glow rings!
Set out pumpkins with long stems and give kids glow-in-the-dark rings or rope hoops to toss. It works great at dusk during fall parties that go into the evening.
Perks include:
- Bright visuals
- Easy setup
- Friendly competition
Add music, and it becomes a fall carnival moment.
13.“Pin the Leaf on the Tree”
Think “Pin the Tail on the Donkey,” but more seasonal.
Create a large paper tree on a wall or board, and hand each child a cutout leaf with their name. Blindfold them and see who places their leaf closest to the branch.
This game:
- Works great indoors
- Is ideal for younger kids
- Doubles as a take-home craft
After the party, kids can take their personalized leaves home or leave them as decoration.
14.Acorn Spoon Relay
Similar to the candy corn relay, this version uses small plastic acorns or even real ones collected from the yard.
It challenges kids to balance acorns on a spoon while racing around cones or obstacles. One little bump and those acorns go flying!
Why it’s fun:
- It blends speed and caution
- It gets everyone laughing
- It builds teamwork when played in relay form
You can even color-code the acorns for bonus points.
15.Gourd and Spoon Obstacle Course
Ready for a more complex challenge?
Set up an obstacle course and give each child a spoon and a gourd (those bumpy little guys from the farmer’s market). They must carry their gourd through the course—over hay bales, around pumpkins, through tunnels—without dropping it.
This game encourages:
- Gross motor skills
- Strategy and balance
- Loads of laughter when the gourds roll away!
It’s like fall Olympics—but way goofier.
16.Fall-Themed Bingo
Need a calmer game after all the racing?
Create Bingo cards with images like pumpkins, pies, owls, scarecrows, apples, and hay bales. Use candy corn as markers and call out seasonal clues.
It’s perfect for:
- Downtime between high-energy games
- Indoor parties or classrooms
- Kids of all ages
You can even give small prizes for a completed row—think fall stickers or mini toys
17.Musical Pumpkins
End the party with this musical twist.
It’s musical chairs, but instead of chairs, use construction paper pumpkins spread in a circle. Play upbeat fall tunes, stop the music, and whoever doesn’t land on a pumpkin is out.
This version adds:
- A seasonal spin to a well-loved game
- Movement and rhythm
- Easy setup indoors or outdoors
To make it more festive, decorate the pumpkins with silly faces or the kids’ names!
18.Wrapping It All Up with Fall Fun
Fall parties have a special kind of energy—warm, playful, and packed with golden moments. The games you choose don’t need to be fancy or expensive. They just need to spark joy.
From balancing pumpkins to catching leaves in midair, these fall party games bring out laughter, creativity, and the kind of active fun kids will remember long after the last leaf falls. And when they’re giggling with candy corn in one hand and a mini scarecrow hat on their head, you’ll know you nailed it.
So the next time you plan a fall celebration, skip the screen time and bring on the fun. The season is short, but the memories? They’ll stick around like leaves on a muddy boot.
Let the games—and the giggles—begin! 🍂
