20 Fun Fall Birthday Party Ideas for Kids on a Budget

I love a fall birthday party.

The crisp air, colorful leaves, and cozy seasonal vibes make it the perfect backdrop for celebrating your child’s special day. Autumn brings a mix of indoor coziness and outdoor fun.

Every year for the past ten years, we’ve had a Halloween party for kids at our house.

As the years have gone by, we’ve tried different themed parties, decor ideas, and games.

I’m rolling out all of my fall themed party ideas for this fall birthday birthday party article.

Whether you want to keep it simple and budget-friendly or go all out with a themed extravaganza, I’ll help you get there.

Although I love a hot girl summer birthday party; in the fall you can take advantage of:

• Seasonal Decor – Pumpkins, hay bales, fall leaves, and fairy lights make decorating easy.
• Cooler Weather – Perfect for outdoor games without summer heat.
• Seasonal Treats – Apple cider, caramel apples, and pumpkin-flavored goodies.
• Built-In Themes – Harvest, Halloween, camping, and nature adventures.

Choosing a Theme That Fits your Child

I love picking out a theme! Here are my top 20 ideas for fall birthdays:

1. Pumpkin Patch Party

Host at a local pumpkin farm or set up your own mini patch in the backyard.

Arrange hay bales, cornstalks, and pumpkins in different sizes.

Activities: Pumpkin painting station, a pumpkin hunt (hide small gourds in the yard), and pumpkin bowling (roll a small pumpkin into a stack of gourds).
Food: Pumpkin-shaped sugar cookies, pumpkin bread, and hot cider.

Favor: Mini painted pumpkins. Kids decorate small pumpkins with paint, stickers, and glitter, then take them home.

2. Campfire & S’mores Night

Perfect for older kids. Set up a fire pit (or indoor s’mores station if you don’t have outdoor space), then tell stories, and toast marshmallows.

Activities: Storytelling contest, sing-alongs, flashlight tag.
Food: S’mores kits, popcorn, and hot chocolate with whipped cream.

Favor: DIY s’mores kit. Provide a clear bag with two graham crackers, a marshmallow, and a mini chocolate bar. Kids can decorate the bag with markers and fall stickers.

3. Woodland Animal Adventure

Decorate with foxes, owls, squirrels, and deer.

Activities: Nature scavenger hunt, make-your-own animal masks, “pin the tail on the fox” game.
Food: Acorn-shaped cupcakes, trail mix, and fruit skewers.

Favor: Animal masks. Kids make their own fox, owl, or deer mask using cardstock, markers, and elastic cord.

4. Harvest Festival

Mini carnival games, hayrides (if possible), and farm-themed snacks like corn on the cob and apple cider.

Recreate a country fair with homemade booths and games.
Activities: Hayrides, sack races, bean bag toss, ring toss with small pumpkins.

Favor: Mason jar lanterns. Kids decorate jars with autumn-colored tissue paper and Mod Podge, then add a battery tea light.

5. Halloween Costume Birthday

If your child’s fall birthday is near Halloween, let guests come in costume for a double celebration. Include trick-or-treat stations and then a costume parade.

Activities: Costume parade with small prizes, trick-or-treat stations, “mummy wrap” relay with toilet paper.
Food: Monster cupcakes, candy corn mix, and orange punch.

Favor: Candy corn friendship bracelets. Use orange, yellow, and white beads for kids to create fun stretchy bracelets.

6. Apple Orchard Adventure

You could host at a local orchard or recreate it in your backyard with apple picking baskets, apple tasting, and a caramel apple station.

Activities: Apple tasting station, caramel apple decorating, apple relay races.
Food: Apple cider donuts, apple chips, and mini apple pies.

Favor: DIY caramel apple kit. Package an apple, caramel candy, and a popsicle stick in a clear bag and then tie it with ribbon.

7. Fairy Garden in the Fall

Kids dress as fairies or woodland creatures.

Use autumn flowers, fairy lights, and miniature décor to set the scene.

Activities: Decorate mini pumpkins, make fairy wands, and “plant” small faux flowers in pots.
Food: Cupcakes with edible glitter, fruit skewers, and pink lemonade.

Favor: Mini fairy wands. Kids decorate wooden dowels or sticks with ribbon, glitter, and small faux flowers.

8. Farmyard Fun

Petting zoo (if available), hayrides, and farm games like sack races and ring toss.

If a real petting zoo isn’t possible, use stuffed animals and farm-themed games.

Activities: Sack races, egg-and-spoon races, “milk the cow” water balloon game.
Food: Pigs-in-a-blanket, veggie sticks, and lemonade.

Favor: Pinecone bird feeders. Kids roll pinecones in peanut butter (or sunbutter) and birdseed, then wrap them in wax paper to take home.

9. Autumn Art Party

Kids paint fall landscapes, leaf rubbings, or decorate pumpkins with craft supplies.

Lay out easels, smocks, and craft supplies.

Activities: Leaf rubbings, fall landscape painting, decorate foam pumpkins.
Food: Sandwich wraps, pretzel sticks, and juice boxes.

Favor: Leaf-stamped tote bags. Kids decorate small canvas bags with leaf stamps and fabric paint.

10. Cozy Pajama & Pancake Party

Perfect for cooler weather – serve pancakes, hot chocolate, and have indoor games or a movie.

Turn the living room into a cozy breakfast cafe.

Activities: Pancake decorating, movie marathon, board games.
Food: Pancakes with a topping bar, hot chocolate, and fruit salad.

Favor: Decorated hot cocoa mugs. Kids use oil-based paint pens to design a mug and take it home with a cocoa packet inside.

11. Enchanted Forest

Use twinkle lights, faux trees, and moss to create a magical setting; add a scavenger hunt for “forest treasures.”

Activities: Forest treasure hunt, “find the fairy” hide-and-seek, storytelling corner.
Food: Forest berry punch, chocolate-dipped pretzel “twigs,” and cupcakes topped with sugar mushrooms.

Favor: Autumn suncatchers. Kids sandwich pressed leaves or tissue paper between contact paper circles to hang in a sunny window.

12. Leaf Pile Party

Invite kids to jump into giant piles of leaves (real or fake) and play leaf-themed games.

Activities: Leaf pile jumps, leaf scavenger hunt, and leaf rubbing crafts.
Food: Apple slices with caramel dip, trail mix, and popcorn.

Favor: Leaf crowns. Kids use faux leaves, a paper band, and glue to create autumn crowns. Then all the kids can take pictures and wear the crown home.

13. Camping Birthday

Set up tents, tell stories around a campfire (real or faux), and make s’mores.

Activities: Campfire stories, flashlight scavenger hunt, DIY trail mix station.
Food: Hot dogs, s’mores, and bottled water with themed labels.

Favor: DIY trail mix bags. Kids scoop dried fruit, pretzels, popcorn, and chocolate chips into paper bags they decorate themselves.

14. Sports & Tailgate Bash

If your child loves sports, host a backyard “tailgate” with mini football games, team colors, and game-day snacks.

Activities: Mini football toss, relay races, DIY “team jerseys” craft.
Food: Popcorn, soft pretzels, and nachos.

Favor: Team pennants. Kids decorate felt triangles with fabric paint and their “team” name to wave during the party.

15. Owl & Moon Night Party

Host in the evening with glow sticks, moon-shaped cookies, and owl crafts.

Activities: Glow stick dance-off, owl mask making, moon trivia games.
Food: Moon-shaped sugar cookies, popcorn balls, and hot cocoa.

Favor: Glow stick necklaces. Kids thread glow beads and glow sticks onto cord to make wearable nighttime accessories.

16. Harvest Baking Party

Kids bake or decorate fall treats. For example, try pumpkin muffins, sugar cookies shaped like leaves, or mini pies.

Activities: Decorate pumpkin muffins, cut out leaf-shaped cookies, make mini apple pies.
Food: All the baked goods from activities plus milk or apple cider.

Favor: Cookie-in-a-jar kit. Layer dry cookie ingredients in a mason jar; then have the kids decorate the jar label with markers.

17. Scavenger Hunt Fall Birthday

Create a fall-themed scavenger hunt with clues hidden in leaves, pumpkins, or hay bales. I would suggest doing smaller rounds opposed to trying to hold a two hour scavenger hunt.

Activities: Fall-themed scavenger hunt, riddle-solving games, team races.
Food: Sandwiches cut into leaf shapes, trail mix, and juice boxes.

Favor: Treasure jars. Kids fill small jars with “found treasures” like leaves, acorns, and mini trinkets from the hunt.

18. DIY Carnival

Set up mini carnival games with a fall birthday party twist.

Activities: Pumpkin ring toss, apple bobbing, bean bag toss into scarecrows.
Food: Popcorn, cotton candy, and mini caramel apples.

Favor: Mini prize bags. Kids win small toys or treats from carnival booths but decorate their own paper bag to carry them first.

19. Storybook Fall Party

Pick your child’s favorite book and create a fall-themed party around it — perfect for younger kids.

Activities: Read-aloud circle, themed craft, and a dress-up corner.
Food: Snacks inspired by the story, hot chocolate, and cookies.

Favor: Bookmarks or the kids decorate cardstock bookmarks with stickers, fall stamps, and their names.

20. Harvest Dance Party

Clear space for dancing, add string lights and upbeat music, and serve seasonal snacks.

Perfect for high-energy kids.

Activities: Dance-offs, freeze dance, limbo with a fall garland.
Food: Apple slices, pumpkin cupcakes, and popcorn.

Favor: Ribbon dance wands. Kids attach ribbon streamers to wooden dowels and decorate the handles with paint or washi tape.

Fall Birthday Party Venues

• Backyard – Add string lights, hay bales, and outdoor games.
• Local Park – Ideal for scavenger hunts and active play.
• Pumpkin Patch or Farm – Many offer fall birthday packages.
• Community Hall – Great for larger guest lists or unpredictable weather.
• Botanical Gardens – Gorgeous fall backdrops for photos.

Decor Ideas for a Cozy Fall Vibe

• Table Settings – Burlap runners, mason jar centerpieces with mini pumpkins.
• Balloons – Orange, brown, yellow, and gold for an autumn palette.
• Nature Touches – Leaf garlands, pine cones, and twinkle lights.
• Photo Backdrop – A bale of hay, pumpkins, and plaid blankets for cozy pictures.

Fall Birthday Party Games & Activities

Pumpkin Bowling – Utilize small pumpkins as bowling balls and decorated bottles as pins.

Apple Bobbing – Classic fall fun but keep towels nearby!

Scarecrow Building Contest – Provide hay, old clothes, and props for kids to create their own scarecrow.

Leaf Hunt – Before the party starts, hide paper leaves with prizes written on the back.

Hay Bale Obstacle Course – If space allows, set up a mini course with bales to climb and crawl over.

Bean Bag Toss into a Pumpkin – Cut a large pumpkin into a target shape.

Craft Stations – Pumpkin painting, autumn wreaths, or fall-themed slime because for whatever reason, kids love slime.

Fall-Inspired Birthday Menu Ideas

Savory Options:

• Mini grilled cheese sandwiches with tomato soup shooters
• Mac and cheese cups
• Mini corn dogs
• Pizza with pumpkin-shaped pepperoni

Sweet Treats:

• Caramel apple slices with toppings bar
• Pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese frosting
• Apple cider donuts
• “Dirt cups” with gummy worms for a fall twist

Fun Fall Drinks:

• Warm apple cider
• Hot chocolate with marshmallows
• Pumpkin spice milkshakes (kid-friendly of course)

Final Thoughts on a Fall Birthday Party

Finally, some tips:

• Weather-Proof the Plan – Always have an indoor backup because you never know.
• Dress for the Season – Let guests know if they’ll be outdoors before party day.
• Keep Activities Age-Appropriate – Simple games work best for younger kids.
• Use Seasonal Decor You Can Reuse – Pumpkins and leaves work for both fall and Thanksgiving.
• Ask for Help – Assign snack duty, game coordination, or photo-taking to friends/family so you won’t be stressed trying to do it all.

A fall birthday is the perfect opportunity to blend the beauty of the season with a celebration that reflects your child’s personality.

Whether you go with a cozy pumpkin painting party or an action-packed harvest festival, the key is to create an atmosphere where kids can play, explore, and make lasting memories.

Finally, choose the theme that fit your space, budget, and your child’s interests and get ready for an unforgettable autumn celebration.