Our 2020 Fall Bucket List

Seasonal bucket lists remind me to enjoy and appreciate the time in front of us. While 2020 has been a really difficult time, it’s also taught me to be intentional about creating family memories, even if it’s just hanging out at home together.

So, do we need a fall bucket list in 2020 if we can’t do all the things we’d usually want to do? I’d say more than ever! Each season comes with holidays, traditions, events and activities. It’s so easy to let the season breeze by without experiencing all the things that can make for some of the best memories — even when we’re not as busy as other years.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying everything has to be planned. Of course some of the best memories are spontaneous. But when we get into our routines, it’s easy to forget all those things we set out to do.

When a season passes me by and I didn’t do what I intended – whether that was to bake an apple pie, go ice skating or head to the lake, I’m filled with regret, and not only feel like I’ve missed out, but that my kids missed some of those special moments that will stick with them when they’re adults.

How to Make a Seasonal Bucket List

A seasonal bucket list can be a mix of moments simple and special. Here’s what I like to include in mine:

Family traditions we do year after year
One new thing we’ve never done
Simple pleasures that mark the season
Outdoor activities
Meals with seasonal recipes

A seasonal bucket list is meant to help you, not burden you. It’s important to not make it so long that you feel overwhelmed or guilty if you don’t get to all of it. I usually make a list of 4-5 things. If we don’t do all of them, that’s fine. It’s simply a guide to help me remember the things I want us to do as family.

Once you’ve made your list, keep it somewhere visible: on the fridge, near a family calendar or in your planner. Schedule the ones that need scheduling, and save the others for whenever you have some free time.

On This Year’s Fall List

This year our fall bucket list activities are all about keeping it easy and spending as much time outdoors as we can! Here’s what’s on our fall bucket list:

A fall hike — We love hiking in Arizona each spring, but have barely done any hiking right here in Wisconsin. I’d love to do a longer hike with the girls to see the leaves, maybe near Holy Hill. For Milwaukee locals, here’s a great list of family hikes in our area.
Apple picking — We go apple picking every year and have pictures of the girls hiking since they were tiny. A couple years ago a new organic orchard opened that is so beautiful, Peck & Bushel. We’re definitely heading back there this year, and I’ve heard they have a sunflower field this year too! Here’s my favorite place to go apple picking.
Cooking a fall meal — I’m ready to try a lot of new fall recipes! I’ve been cooking out of The Defined Dish recently and am about to dig into Half Baked Harvest.
Baking with the girls — I’d love to perfect a few baking recipes, especially apple cobbler.
A new family sport— We all play tennis and are ready to take on pickleball. It’s a shorter court and we’re all new at it, so I think it will be the perfect fall activity for us.
Biking — COVID has brought out the bikers in all of us. We have a great trail near us — the Oakleaft trail — that takes us right downtown. I’d love to see how it looks in the fall.
Fall drive — We have beautiful leaves in Wisconsin and never go driving to see them in all their glory. Thinking of heading southwest this year and making a great playlist for the ride.
Outdoor movie night — Now that’s it’ll be darker earlier, it’s a great time to set up an outdoor movie night. Thinking of setting up Chris’s work projector in the backyard. Add tents and it could be a big night at the Meadows household.