Crisp air, colorful leaves, and pumpkin-spiced everything—it’s officially fall in Utah County! If you’re a mom or grandparent looking for fun (and affordable) ways to get the kids out of the house, you’re in luck. Provo and the surrounding towns are bursting with activities perfect for families who want to make the most of the season without breaking the bank.

Here are some creative, interactive, and budget-friendly ideas your crew will love this fall:

TL;DR Summary Box (use a Summary Block):

Free outdoor adventures: leaf hunts, picnics, backyard campfires
Budget-friendly outings: pumpkin patches, apple picking, community events
Scenic fall drives and trails perfect for family photos
Indoor options for chilly days like BYU’s Bean Museum

1. Go Leaf Hunting in Provo Canyon

Chase fall colors in Provo Canyon—collect leaves, breathe the crisp mountain air, and enjoy one of Utah’s most stunning autumn views.

Sometimes the best activities don’t cost a dime. Grab some brown paper bags, a roll of tape, and your kids or grandkids, and head up Provo Canyon for a leaf hunt. Challenge the kids to find leaves of every color—red, orange, yellow, green, and even the crunchy brown ones.

Back at home, turn those leaves into a fall art project by taping them onto poster boards, making leaf crowns, or pressing them into a scrapbook. It’s memory-making and craft time in one! We love this because they are outdoors, moving around, and witnessing the beauty of nature.

Cost: Free (bring snacks and hot cocoa for afterward).

2. Visit a Local Pumpkin Patch

Pumpkin patches aren’t just about pumpkins—they’re about adventure. In Utah County, spots like Jaker’s Jack-O-Lanterns in Springville or Hee Haw Farms in Pleasant Grove are family favorites. For a small entry fee, kids can explore hayrides, corn pits, and small petting zoos.

Pro tip: Let each child pick out a pumpkin under $5 and then have a mini carving or painting night at home. It keeps the fun going and costs less than a night at the movies. We do this with the adults, too, as a night out. Super fun, make it a competition.

““The best memories often come from the simplest adventures.””

— Some Grandpa

3. Apple Picking at a Local Orchard

Bright Red Apples haningin on a branch in a sunny orchard with green leaves and a blue sky in the background. — Pick your own apples this fall! Local orchards like Rowley’s Red Barn in Santaquin make for the perfect day trip. Fresh apples, crisp air, and family memories you’ll carry home along with your bag of fruit.

There’s something magical about biting into an apple you just picked. Rowley’s Red Barn in Santaquin or smaller local orchards are perfect for a day trip. The kids will love running through the rows of trees, and you’ll head home with a bag of fresh apples for pies, cider, or just school lunches. Want to add another level to it? Take some of the apples, find some horses and feed them, kids go nuts, and more horse owners love having you. Apples are a source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals for the animals.

You can also pair the outing with a cozy stop for donuts or hot cocoa to make it feel extra special.

4. Provo River Trail Adventure

Bundle up and take a family walk or bike ride along the Provo River Trail. The cooler air makes it pleasant, and the trees lining the trail glow in shades of gold.

Make it interactive: Print out a simple “Fall Scavenger Hunt” sheet for the kids—find a pinecone, spot a squirrel, count how many orange leaves you see, etc. Small rewards (like a piece of candy corn or a sticker) keep it fun and engaging. Use this with Tip #1 and you will be crushing it.

Cost: Free. We love FREE!!!!

“Scavenger hunts turn any walk into an adventure.”

5. DIY Backyard Campfire & Story Night

You don’t have to drive anywhere to make memories. Set up a little backyard campfire (or use a fire pit at a local park like Rock Canyon). Roast marshmallows, make s’mores, and take turns telling funny, spooky (but not too spooky) stories.

Grandparents—this is your moment to pull out the old family tales. Kids love hearing about “when Mom was little.” It makes them laugh and connects them to family history. The best stories are when Mom is there to be embarrassed…

6. Free Festivals and Community Events

Many Utah County towns host fall festivals and Halloween events that don’t cost much (if anything). For example:

Provo Fall Festival at the library often has free crafts, games, and performances.
Orem’s Scarecrow Festival at Thanksgiving Point (kids love the giant scarecrows, and there are lots of kid-friendly booths).
Check your city’s recreation center calendar—many offer family nights in October with carnival-style games for just a few dollars.

7. Go on a Fall Picnic at Rock Canyon Park

Pack a thermos of soup or chili, blankets, and board games, and head to Rock Canyon Park or South Fork Park. Fall picnics feel extra cozy when you bring along hot food instead of sandwiches.

While the grown-ups sip cider, let the kids roll down the grassy hills or play tag among the crunchy leaves. You might have guessed we love the outdoors in the fall. It is a great time to wrap up the time in the outdoors before the cold hits.

8. Make Your Own Fall Treats Together

Warm up a chilly afternoon with homemade fall treats. Popcorn balls, caramel apples, and apple cider donuts are simple, fun, and perfect for kids (or grandkids) to make. Add your own twist with toppings for a treat that’s as unique as your family traditions.

Turn a chilly afternoon into a kitchen adventure. Apple cider donuts, caramel apples, or even popcorn balls are easy enough for kids to help with. If you’re a grandparent, this is a great way to pass down recipes and traditions. You can even take these above, add a little more sothin-somthin, and now it's your recipe to hand down. Just saying…

For a fun twist, make a “popcorn bar” with toppings like chocolate chips, marshmallows, and cinnamon sugar. Kids love customizing their own treats.

9. Explore the BYU Bean Museum or Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum

When the weather gets too chilly, head indoors to BYU’s Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum, it’s free, educational, and filled with fascinating animal displays. Kids get to learn while being wowed by the giant exhibits. I know we put this museum on a lot, but it is fun.

Make it interactive: Before going, ask the kids to pick their favorite animal and then find it at the museum.

10. Take a Sunday Drive Through Alpine Loop

Pile into the car with snacks, blankets, and a playlist of fall songs, and drive the Alpine Loop. The fall colors here are breathtaking, and it’s an easy way to enjoy nature without a lot of effort (perfect if you’re wrangling younger kids). You can combine this with a bunch of the other tips. It can be crazy fun and adventurous.

Stop at scenic pullouts for family photos—you’ll thank yourself later when you’re making Christmas cards!

“A Sunday drive becomes a tradition when the leaves are golden.”

Wrap-Up: Fall Memories Don’t Need to Be Expensive

You don’t have to spend a lot to give your kids or grandkids magical fall memories in Provo and Utah County. From free hikes to pumpkin patches to backyard s’mores nights, the secret is in making time together feel special.

So grab your sweaters, pour the cider, and go make some fall magic this season.

Quick Takeaways (for busy moms and grandparents):

Leaf hunts, scavenger hunts, and backyard campfires = free fun.
Pumpkin patches and apple orchards = affordable outings with built-in keepsakes.
Local trails, parks, and scenic drives = easy adventures close to home.
Don’t forget community events—they’re often free or very cheap.

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our favorite Fall Family Fun in Provo and Utah County