As the season changes, we've put together some fun, fall-inspired activities the whole family can enjoy! 

1. Enjoy a YMCA Fall-Themed Activity or Event

From costume contests to bounce houses, creative crafts, cooking, and more, your local Y is a great place to celebrate the season with your neighbors. Registration is required for all activities and events.

Fall Family Festival Community Events
These festivals are free and open to Y members and community members! 

• Coal Creek Family Y in Newcastle | October 21
• Snoqualmie Valley Y | October 21
• Bellevue Family Y | October 27
• Northshore Y in Bothell | October 28

Haunted Swamp Family Pool Event 
This event is open to Y members and community members!

• Northshore Y in Bothell | October 28  

Fall Family Fun Run 5K
This event is open to Y members and community members!

• Snoqualmie Valley Y | October 21

Family Nights
Just for Y members, offered as an included member benefit. 

• Boo Bash
  • Sammamish Community Y | October 14
  • West Seattle Family Y | October 20
• Fall Fun
  • Auburn Valley Y | October 20
  • Dale Turner Family Y in Shoreline | October 27
  • West Seattle Family Y | November 10
• Pirates at the Y | Coal Creek Family Y in Newcastle | November 3

Kids Create Classes
Inspire creativity and imagination in this art workshop for kids.

• Pumpkin Painting | Sammamish Community Y | October 3
• Pumpkin Painting | West Seattle Family Y | October 11
• Pumpkins | Auburn Valley Y | October 13
• Pumpkin Painting | Matt Griffin Y in SeaTac | October 13
• Costume Accessories | Coal Creek Family Y in Newcastle | October 18
• Pumpkin Decorating | Snoqualmie Valley Y | October 25
• Pumpkin Party | Dale Turner Family Y in Shoreline | October 27
• Harvest Cookies and Crafts | Auburn Valley Y | November 10

Kids in the Kitchen Class
Learn basic culinary skills in this special class for kids ages 5 to 8. Experience a blend of education, nutrition, and fun as you practice age-appropriate cooking techniques, fundamental kitchen skills, and kitchen safety.

• Scary Snacks | Dale Turner Family Y in Shoreline | October 28
• Fall Feast | Northshore Y in Bothell | November 9
• Fall Comforts | Dale Turner Family Y in Shoreline | November 11

Future Chefs Class
Get your tween, ages 8 to 13 years, ready to make meals for the whole family! Integrate culinary skills such as dicing, sautéing, kneading, and baking into this challenging and fun cooking series.

• Scary Snacks | Dale Turner Family Y in Shoreline | October 28
• Fall Comforts | Dale Turner Family Y in Shoreline | November 11
• Fall Feast | Northshore Y in Bothell | November 16

2. Paint Pumpkins

Nothing is more iconic for fall than the beautiful glow of a ripe pumpkin. Pull out your paint, glitter, stickers, or even a pumpkin decorating kit. Skip the mess of carving and let every member of your family creatively design their own pumpkin with these great ideas.

3. Bake Fall Treats

Imagine the smells of fall and transform them into delicious treats the whole family can get involved in. Apple Pie in a Cup, Baked Pumpkin Donut Holes, and Pumpkin Spice Krispie Treats are a few of our favorite morsels.

4. Decorate for the Season 

Build a scarecrow with hay or old newspaper for the stuffing. For the outfit, dig up some old clothes and accessories laying around your house. You can also visit a local thrift store to dress your scarecrow.  Or create a simple leaf wreath! Go on a nature walk and gather some beautifully colored leaves. Simply cut the center of a paper plate into a wreath shape, adhere the leaves with glue, and adorn with a ribbon to hang.

5. Make a Giant Leaf Pile

Grab your rakes and get to work! Is there anything more fun than jumping into a freshly swept pile of fall leaves?! Don’t forget to take a video to relive the fun.

6. Read Seasonal Books 

Here’s a list (with links!) of some of our favorite fall-themed books they whole family will enjoy:

• Leaves by David Ezra Stein (Preschool - Grade 1)
• The Little Yellow Leaf by Carin Berger (Preschool - Grade 2)
• Fall Leaves Fall! by Zoe Hall (Preschool - Grade 1)
• Autumn Leaves by Ken Robbins (Kindergarten-Grade 3)
• Fletcher and the Falling Leaves by Julia Rawlinson (Grade 2- Grade 4)
• We're Going On a Leaf Hunt by Steve Metzger (Preschool -Grade 3)
• Why Do Leaves Change Color? by Betsy Maestro (Kindergarten - Grade 4)
• Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert (Preschool - Grade 3)
• Too Many Pumpkins by Linda White (Preschool - Grade 3)
• There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves by Lucille Colandro (Preschool - Grade 2)
• Autumnblings by Douglas Florian (Grade 1-5)
• A Tree for All Seasons by Robin Bernard (Grade 3-7)
• It's Fall by Linda Glaser (Preschool - Grade 2)
• Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf by Lois Ehlert (Kindergarten - Grade 2)

7. Get Outdoors! 

Go to the beach! Yes, the beach! Although you may need to bundle up, the smell of sea water and the breeze will surely refresh you.  

If that’s not your thing, hit the trails for a family-friendly urban hike through a local park. Mercer Slough Nature Park on Mercer Island, Point Defiance Park in Tacoma, Discovery Park in Seattle or Grand Ridge Trail Park in Issaquah are all great options for families.

8. Watch a Football Game

Go Hawks!  Prepare some healthy snacks, wear your team’s gear, and get your cheer on! Go Hawks! 

9. Walk or Run in a Race

These Halloween-themed running events give you another reason to don your costume! Register for the Trick or Treat 5k in Seattle on Sunday, October 29, the West Seattle Monster Dash on Saturday, October 28, or the Run Scared 5k at Seward Park on Sunday, October 29.

10. Make a Fruity Halloween Treat

With Halloween approaching, it's time to get creative in the kitchen! These fruity and fun treats are sure to please – Candy Corn Fruit Cups, Banana Ghost Pops or Silly Apple Bites.