Activity Ideas for Fall Fun and Fellowship

Fall is the time when faith-based organizations invite familiar faces and new friends into our buildings for fellowship, service, and worship. Here are some fun ideas for fall activities that provide plenty of interaction among people of all ages.

Get into the Game

One of the best things about autumn is all of the sports-watching opportunities, right? Whether it’s watching a national team on TV or attending a homegrown college game to cheer on your local favorite, many members of your congregation are excited to experience the fun of fall athletics.

Why not host a game day party at your church? Invite guests to bring their favorite snacks to share, and pass out door prizes for those wearing jerseys or other team regalia. Have a team rivalry going between fans? Of course you do! Set up a friendly competition with a promise that the losing team’s fans will wear the winning team’s jerseys to the next worship gathering.

For anyone who wants to attend but doesn’t particularly care for sports — and to keep the more unruly children busy — set up some tables and provide board games that everyone can enjoy.

Host a Pumpkin Carving Soiree

Pumpkin carving can be a great activity for gathering people together for fellowship. Carving kits are available from most craft stores this time of year, as are templates for people to use if they don’t trust their freehand design work. Once the pumpkins are carved, light them with battery operated candles and line the paths on your property like luminarias.

Don’t just carve pumpkins — make it a night of neighborhood hospitality! Have church members bring homemade pumpkin pies and pumpkin breads, and serve them alongside coffee, tea, and hot mulled apple cider. With the pumpkins all aglow and your community drawn together, you can start a new favorite annual tradition for your members to enjoy.

Invite Your Neighbors to a Campfire

On a crisp fall evening, invite people from your local community to a campfire and cookout. If you can’t have a fire on your church property, consider making reservations to use the fire rings at a nearby park. You can provide some hot dogs and materials for s’mores, along with hot chocolate or cider to keep folks warm.

Have some extra lawn chairs and blankets ready for those who join last minute. After everyone has enjoyed the food and drinks, have members of your worship team play guitar and lead the group in song. Close with a blessing before the fire is extinguished.

Take Up an Offering with Mobile Giving

Want to take up an offering during these events? Rather than setting out a basket for cash and check donations that could get lost in all of the activity, give your members the opportunity to use mobile giving. This way they can conveniently give from their phones, whether you are carving pumpkins in the church parking lot or singing worship songs by the fire.

With mobile giving, members can quickly give and then get back to the fun of your fall activity — and you won’t need to worry about keeping track of an offering basket.