Fun Fall Festival Games Everyone Will Love

There’s something magical about fall, isn’t there? The crisp air, the cozy sweaters, the smell of caramel apples and pumpkin spice drifting through the breeze it’s the perfect time to gather friends and family for a fall festival! Whether you’re hosting one at your school, church, or right in your backyard, the best part is always the games.

Fall festival games bring out laughter, a bit of friendly competition, and that wonderful sense of togetherness that this season is all about. From classic carnival-style fun to creative pumpkin-themed challenges, there’s something for every age group. So grab your flannel, pour a s'mores latte, and let’s talk about some of the most entertaining (and easy-to-set-up) fall festival games that will make your event unforgettable.

1. Apple Bobbing (the classic version!)

Let’s kick things off with a timeless favorite. It’s wet, wacky, and totally unforgettable.

What You’ll Need:

• A large tub or bucket filled with cold water

• Red or green apples (firm ones float best!)

• Towels (trust me you’ll need 'em!)

How to Play:

Fill the tub with water and toss in the apples. One by one, players try to grab an apple using only their mouths no hands allowed! You can make it a timed game or just let everyone have a go for the fun of it.

Pro tip: Have separate tubs for younger kids vs. older ones (or let them use tongs or spoons if they’re hesitant to dunk!).

2. Mini Pumpkin Hunt

Think Easter egg hunt, but make it fall.

What You’ll Need:

• Mini pumpkins (real or plastic)

• A yard or indoor space to hide them

• Optional: number or decorate them for a prize game

How to Play:

Hide the mini pumpkins around your space and send guests on a hunt! You can write numbers on the bottom and assign prizes based on which ones they find, or just let everyone keep what they discover.

Bonus: Use glow-in-the-dark pumpkins for an evening event!

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Halloween Mini Pumpkins, LuminousMini Pumpkin Trick or Treat Buckets

3. Sack Races

Sometimes the simple games are the best ones and this one always brings on the belly laughs.

What You’ll Need:

• Burlap sacks or pillowcases

• Cones or string to mark the race path

How to Play:

Line up the racers, hop to the finish line, and see who stays upright the longest! You can do solo races, team relays, or even a kids-vs-parents showdown.

Mom hack: For younger kids, shorten the course to keep things light and fun.

4. Pumpkin Ring Toss

This one's cute, easy, and perfect for all ages.

What You’ll Need:

• Pumpkins with long stems

• Plastic rings or glow sticks linked together

How to Play:

Set out the pumpkins and have players toss rings, aiming for the stem. You can assign different point values to different pumpkins for extra challenge or just let everyone cheer each other on.

5. Scarecrow Dress-Up Relay

You haven’t seen real chaos until a six-year-old tries to sprint in floppy boots and an oversized flannel.

What You’ll Need:

• Jeans, flannel shirts, boots, hats, gloves

• Optional: a pile of straw for stuffing (just a little!)

How to Play:

Each team sends one player at a time to “suit up” like a scarecrow, run a short distance, undress, and tag the next person. First team fully dressed and finished wins!

Family bonus: This one makes for amazing photos.

Scarecrow Accessory KitScarecrow Costume AccessoriesScarecrow Costume Kit

6. Candy Corn Spoon Relay

Here's one of the new ones! A twist on the egg-and-spoon race, with a fall treat as the star.

What You’ll Need:

• Spoons (plastic or metal)

• Bowls filled with candy corn

• Cones or markers to define your race path

How to Play:

Each player balances candy corn on their spoon and races to the finish line without dropping any. If they drop it, they go back to the start. Make it a relay or individual challenge either way, it’s a sweet success.

7. Pumpkin Bowling

This one gets giggles from kids and grown-ups alike.

What You’ll Need:

• A small, round pumpkin (stem removed!)

• 10 empty soda bottles or decorated "pins"

• A long, flat surface (driveway, hallway, or tarp-covered grass)

How to Play:

Set up your pins and take turns rolling the pumpkin to knock them down. You can keep score or just play for fun.

Bonus: Glow sticks inside the pins = nighttime magic.

8. Donut on a String Game

Delightfully messy and guaranteed to entertain everyone watching!

What You’ll Need:

• Plain donuts (glazed ones are extra slippery)

• String

• Something to hang them from (broomstick, clothesline, tree branch)

How to Play:

Hang the donuts at mouth level and challenge players to eat them without using their hands. First one to finish wins! This game is just as fun to watch as it is to play.

Tip: Keep some napkins on standby you’ll thank yourself later.

9. Cornhole with a Fall Twist

A backyard classic with festive flair.

What You’ll Need:

• Cornhole board and beanbags

• Optional: Decorate the boards with leaves, pumpkins, or scarecrow faces

How to Play:

Play like traditional cornhole or assign extra points for hitting “target zones” decorated like fall icons. This one’s great for kids and adults to play together.

10. Wheelbarrow Pumpkin Races

Silly? Yes. Ridiculous? Absolutely. Fun? You bet.

What You’ll Need:

• A wheelbarrow

• Medium-sized pumpkins

• Cones or signs to mark your course

How to Play:

One player pushes while the other rides or carries the pumpkin in the wheelbarrow through a simple obstacle course. Switch roles halfway through or make it a timed challenge. If the pumpkin falls out, back to the start!

Amazon Basics Wheelbarrow,Kids Wheelbarrow SetPlastic Cones and Rings Games

11. Hay Bale Climb & Jump Zone

This is the second new game, and it’s perfect for an open yard or farm-style party.

What You’ll Need:

• Sturdy hay bales stacked in a pyramid or rows

• A safe space with adult supervision

How to Play:

Let kids climb, jump, and explore! You can create a mini obstacle course or just make it a fun free play zone. Add a few plastic animals or signs to turn it into a “barnyard adventure.”

Safety tip: Stack the hay low for younger kids, and supervise to avoid tumbles.

12. Fall Scavenger Hunt

This one’s a hit every single time especially with mixed ages.

What You’ll Need:

• Scavenger hunt checklists (fall leaf, mini pumpkin, something orange, a scarecrow, etc.)

• Baskets or bags

How to Play:

Give players a list of fall-themed items to find around the yard, park, or event space. First one to check off everything wins a prize or let everyone keep what they find!

13. Coloring & Calm Corner

Every festival needs a quiet moment and this one gives tired littles (and their grown-ups!) a chance to chill.

What You’ll Need:

• Crayons or markers

• Fall-themed coloring pages (pumpkins, leaves, scarecrows, etc.)

• A few floor pillows or hay bales for seating

Set this up in a shady spot or inside a tent to create a cozy corner that’s always appreciated.

Fall Fun Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated

If there’s one thing I’ve learned through years of fall parties, school carnivals, and impromptu backyard get-togethers, it’s this: the magic isn’t in perfection it’s in participation. Whether you're bobbing for apples, belly-laughing through sack races, or watching kids chase mini pumpkins through the yard, you're creating moments that stick.

So grab your hot cider, pull on your coziest sweater, and let the fun begin. These fall festival games are all about connection, joy, and soaking up the season while it lasts.