Easy Fall Festival Games
Fall is here and that means crisp air, cozy sweaters, and yes… fall festivals! Whether you’re planning a school carnival, a neighborhood block party, or just a backyard party for your kids and their friends, Fall festival games are the secret ingredient to turning “just okay” into “best day ever!”
Now, I know what you might be thinking: “Games? Sounds like a lot of work.” But trust me these aren’t complicated, Pinterest-perfect games that require 50 steps and glitter glue (because who has time for that?). These are easy, low-prep, budget-friendly games that kids will adore and that won’t leave you needing (Although you still totally deserve both.)
Easy Fall Festival Games
1. Pumpkin Ring Toss
Okay, this one is a fall classic for a reason. All you need are a few mini pumpkins with stems and some rings (you can grab glow stick bracelets or embroidery hoops from the dollar store).
How to Play:
Set the pumpkins out in a row. Give each child a handful of rings and let them try to loop one over a pumpkin stem. That’s it! Easy setup, big fun.
Why Moms Love It:
No cleanup. No mess. Bonus points if you let the kids take home a mini pumpkin as a prize they’ll feel like they won the lottery.
2. Hay Bale Maze (or Obstacle Course)
Now before you scroll past this one thinking “I don’t live on a farm,” hear me out. A full-on hay maze is awesome, but you can create a mini version with just a few hay bales, cones, buckets, or even cardboard boxes from your garage.
How to Play:
Kids run, crawl, hop, or scoot through the obstacle course. Add a few fun fall-themed tasks along the way like “pick up 3 mini pumpkins” or “do 5 jumping jacks on the scarecrow mat.”
Why Moms Love It:
It burns energy. They’ll nap hard later. You’re welcome.
3. Candy Corn Guessing Game
This is the easiest of easy and you’ve probably seen it at school parties or fall fairs. Fill a jar with candy corn (count as you go!) and let kids guess how many are inside.
How to Play:
They write their guess on a slip of paper and drop it into a box. At the end of the event, announce the winner who got the closest. And yes, they get to keep the jar!
Why Moms Love It:
Literally zero setup stress, and it doubles as cute fall table decor.
4. Pumpkin Bowling
Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like and yes, it’s every bit as hilarious as you’re imagining. Find a small, round pumpkin (the lumpier the better!) and use it as your bowling ball.
How to Play:
Set up empty soda bottles or toilet paper rolls like bowling pins. Let the kids roll the pumpkin and knock ‘em down!
Why Moms Love It:
The sillier the pumpkin rolls, the more the kids laugh and it’s that belly-laughing kind of joy we live for.
5. Apple Toss
Get some baskets or buckets, and set them at different distances. Have kids toss apples (real or fake) into the buckets for points.
How to Play:
Each bucket has a different value like 5, 10, or 20 points. Let the kids keep score, or just cheer each other on.
Why Moms Love It:
It’s great for all ages, from tiny toddlers who barely make it past their feet to big kids showing off their aim.
6. Scarecrow Dress-Up Relay
Get ready for some good old-fashioned chaos. Gather a bunch of oversized clothes flannel shirts, jeans, old boots, scarves and create a scarecrow wardrobe.
How to Play:
In teams, kids race to a pile, put on a full scarecrow outfit, run to a cone, then race back and strip down for the next teammate to go.
Why Moms Love It:
It’s hilarious to watch, burns off sugar-fueled energy, and you can probably use your partner’s wardrobe without anyone noticing.
7. Wheelbarrow Races
If you’ve got a sturdy wheelbarrow (or even a garden cart), this is the fall version of the sack race.
How to Play:
Kids take turns riding while a teammate pushes them to a designated spot and back. Just set up a short “track” using cones or rope.
Why Moms Love It:
It’s safe, silly, and surprisingly good exercise. And the giggles when someone tips over into the grass? Priceless.
8. Pin the Leaf on the Tree
This is a fall spin on “Pin the Tail on the Donkey” and super easy to make with felt or poster board.
How to Play:
Blindfolded players try to “pin” (or tape) their leaf as close to the right spot on the tree as possible.
Why Moms Love It:
Quiet, simple, and ideal for the not-so-rowdy crew. Plus, it makes a sweet keepsake when everyone signs their leaf.
9. Pumpkin Tic-Tac-Toe
Grab a piece of cardboard or poster board, make a big tic-tac-toe grid, and use mini pumpkins and gourds as your game pieces.
How to Play:
Classic tic-tac-toe rules apply. You can even let the kids decorate their pumpkins first with stickers or paint markers.
Why Moms Love It:
Interactive and creative, but still super calm. It’s the cozy sweater of fall games.
10. Guess the Fall Scent
Okay, this one is secretly genius. Use small cups or containers filled with cozy fall scents cinnamon, nutmeg, apple slices, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla, cloves, etc.
How to Play:
Blindfolded kids smell each container and try to guess the scent. The winner gets bragging rights and maybe a little pumpkin-shaped prize.
Why Moms Love It:
It’s sensory play with a festive twist, and you’ll love watching their little noses crinkle at the “mystery spice.”
11. Leaf Pile Treasure Hunt
If you’re already dealing with a backyard full of leaves, you might as well make it a game, right?
How to Play:
Hide small prizes, plastic toys, or wrapped candy inside a big leaf pile. Let the kids dig in and see what they can find!
Why Moms Love It:
It’s like turning cleanup into a party and that’s basically parenting magic.
Tips for Keeping It Easy & Fun
Look, as much as we all want to be the mom who builds an entire fall carnival from scratch while sipping hot cider in a cable-knit cardigan, real life is… messy. And loud. And sticky. That’s okay!
Here are a few things I’ve learned over the years:
- Keep expectations realistic. Two or three fun games is plenty. You don’t need to recreate a Pinterest board.
- Enlist help. Get older siblings, teens, or even other parents to man the games. Most people love feeling useful (especially when snacks are involved).
- Have simple prizes on hand. Think stickers, mini erasers, temporary tattoos, or candy. Kids aren’t picky they just love winning.
- Don’t forget the camera. Whether it’s a silly scarecrow moment or an epic pumpkin bowling strike, these are the memories worth capturing.
So go ahead pick a few of these games, print this post if you need to, and give yourself a pat on the back for creating something wonderful.
And hey, if you manage to pull it all off without stepping in a rogue apple or knocking over the candy corn jar? That’s a win in my book.
