How to Plan Fun Fall Activities Without Burning Out

(Because you don’t have to go to every fall festival in the city.)

Fall can be so cute and cozy, but it can also feel like another thing on the never-ending “mom to-do list.” Every flyer and Facebook event is screaming Bring them churrin girl! Family fun! Must do! Meanwhile, you’re just trying to make sure homework’s done, dinner’s cooked, and nobody’s melting down in the grocery store.

As a solo mom, you don’t have to hit every pumpkin patch or festival in the city to give your kids a magical fall. What you do need is balance—fun memories without the burnout. Here’s how to make it happen:

---

1. Plan Ahead for a Few Big Activities🎃

Instead of trying to do everything, pick two or three bigger outings for the season and put them on the calendar now. Maybe it’s the pumpkin patch, the apple orchard, and one fall festival. Knowing your “big three” ahead of time helps you budget, manage your energy, and avoid feeling guilty about skipping the rest. Your kids will still get those special memories without you running yourself into the ground every single weekend.

2. Swap Big Crowds for Small Moments🍎

Festivals are fun, but they can be pricey, crowded, and exhausting, especially when you’re managing everything solo. Try simple swaps: a neighborhood walk to crunch leaves, baking apple pies together, or doing a “fall scavenger hunt” in the backyard. The vibe is still there, minus the overwhelm.

3. Keep the Schedule Light🗓️

Uhh mama, listen here girlie, you don’t need to pack your weekends like you’re a tour guide. This is something I have to constantly remind myself. Plan one activity and leave the rest of the day open. That way you’re not hauling tired kids (and your tired butt) from one thing to the next. A little white space on the calendar is a gift.

4. Create Fall Fun at Home🏡

Home is where the cozy happens. Pop some popcorn and watch Hocus Pocus, roast s’mores in the oven, or do a fall craft night. It’s budget-friendly, stress-free, and honestly—sometimes the at-home moments hit harder than the big outings.

5. Don’t Forget to Rest (Yes, You Too)🌙

It’s easy to get caught up in “mom mode” and forget yourself, but fall is also a season of slowing down. Pour your tea, wrap up in a blanket, and let the laundry wait a minute. Your kids need fun, yes—but they also need a mom who isn’t running on empty.

---

Fall is about making memories, not making yourself miserable. As a solo mom, give yourself permission to keep it simple, skip the chaos, and lean into the cozy moments.🍁

---

Don’t forget to:

1. Subscribe to The Solo Mom Traveler YouTube channel 👉🏾 https://www.youtube.com/@TheSoloMomTraveler

2. Follow me on Instagram 👉🏾 https://www.instagram.com/@TheSoloMomTraveler