5 Fall Traditions That Are Actually Manageable for Busy Moms
Because no one has time for the Pinterest-clay ghosties.
Every fall, I used to scroll Pinterest and save 47 “family tradition” ideas - pumpkin patch picnics, handmade decorations, and DIY costumes, you name it.
Then reality hit: between work, school drop-offs, and reheating the same cup of coffee three times, I barely had time to breathe.
So we simplified.
And honestly? It made everything so much better. These are the fall traditions that actually happen in our house - easy, cozy, and completely doable for busy moms (and easy to sneak in after school or after soccer on the weekends).
Painting Pumpkins Instead of Carving
Zero knives. Zero slime. 100% less chaos.
Part of this stems from our desire to get our pumpkins out early (even though the weather screams fake summer) and years of them being sad and soft and moldy by Halloween. Another from the ballsy-deer that would come up to our porch to eat them the day after we carved.
We grab some acrylic paint, brushes, and just have fun! It’s fun, safe, and they last way longer than our carved ones.
Yes, we’ll probably get into carving when my son’s bigger. But for now, this is how we take pumpkin carving from a “NOPE, don’t hold the knife like that!” and tears after eaten pumpkins the next morning… to an easy activity after dinner.
Post Dinner Jammies + Drive
This might be my favorite fall tradition ever (and carries over into Christmas time, too!).
After dinner, we change into our pajamas, bring some hot cider to go, our favorite treats, and drive around to look at the neighborhood’s Halloween decorations.
It’s free, fun, and a guaranteed memory every single year. Plus - there’s no limit on how many times you go.
We rate each house, pick favorites, and yes - I’ve 100% pulled over to take notes for next year’s decor inspiration.
Halloween Cookie Night
Another favorite for us is decorating sugar cookies. I make the dough a day ahead so it’s already chilled and ready to roll out, so all we have to do is cut-out, and decorate after they cool! Don’t have time or energy to bake (no judgement here)? Grab the premade sugar cookie dough in the refrigerator section of your grocery store!
We get frosting or make our own, and use Halloween candies to decorate - M&M’s for eyes, colored sprinkles, and crushed up Reese’s Cups. Perfect for Friday nights while you watch a spooky movie!
Home Depot or Lowe’s Halloween
IYKYK - this is the best place to head after school for a spooky wonderland.
Depending on your child’s age or scaredness level - press the buttons with caution
We head to the store (cider donuts opptional) and just check out all of the decorations! The best part about this, is you can do this EARLY in the season. It’s become our unexpected tradition… and it’s free entertainment (unless you accidentally leave with a 12-foot skeleton).
Sunday Morning Muffins + Halloween Music
Not every tradition needs to be all out. Every Sunday for the majority of October, we make pumpkin mini muffins to last the week. We put on our halloween playlist, and just spend 45 minutes baking, and chatting and still in our jammies. Its the perfect Sunday start… and delicious muffings all week long.
