September Outdoor Fun:
10 Delightful Activities for UK Families 🍂
There’s something magical about September in the UK. The air turns crisper, leaves begin to blaze with colour, and the pace of summer gently slows, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop! In fact, September is one of the best months to enjoy outdoor play, reconnect with nature, and make memories with the family. At Outdoor Fun Toys, we believe in screen-free adventures, laughter, and fresh air. So, here are 10 outdoor activities that are perfect for families in the UK this September , along with ideas for how to make them even more special.
September 16 , 2025
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1. Autumn Woodland Walks & Leaf Hunts
As autumn creeps in, UK woodlands offer a riot of colour golden, amber, scarlet. It’s the ideal time for a family stroll. Search for scattered leaves, conkers, acorns and evergreens, and turn them into a leaf-hunt or nature bingo. Along the way, chat about how the trees change, which birds you spot, or how the forest smells.
After the walk, use your collected treasures in crafts: pressed leaf bookmarks, nature collages, or painted pinecones. And don’t forget you can bring along some of our outdoor play gear (think: kites, Frisbees, or even a small play tunnel) so kids can dart about freely once you settle in a clearing.
2. Pumpkin Picking & Harvest Fun
September signals the beginning of pumpkin season! Head to a local farm where you can pick your own pumpkins, taste fresh apple cider, or wander through a corn maze. It’s a full day out: fresh air, farm animals, rustic scenery and usually a café for a warming drink at the end.
Then at home, carve, paint, or decorate your pumpkins. Use them to tell stories, make Halloween décor, or cook up some pumpkin soup together. Combine with outdoor play: perhaps kids can hide pumpkin treats around the garden, or create pumpkin bowling contests using smaller gourds.
3. Beachcombing & Coastal Adventures
September still tends to have mild days perfect for setting up games in the garden or a local park. Think of classic games like rounders, tag, football, or even frisbee. Or go for organised sports: local junior leagues, family fun-runs, or cycling together.
At home, create a mini-obstacle course using playhouses, ramps, and tunnels from Outdoor Fun Toys. This encourages active outdoor play, develops balance, coordination, and keeps everyone giggling. Don’t forget to include a break for a picnic or snack outdoor play always goes down better with a treat!
4. Outdoor Sports & Backyard Games
September still tends to have mild days perfect for setting up games in the garden or a local park. Think of classic games like rounders, tag, football, or even frisbee. Or go for organised sports: local junior leagues, family fun-runs, or cycling together.
At home, create a mini-obstacle course using playhouses, ramps, and tunnels from Outdoor Fun Toys. This encourages active outdoor play, develops balance, coordination, and keeps everyone giggling. Don’t forget to include a break for a picnic or snack outdoor play always goes down better with a treat!
5. Star Gazing Evenings & Night Walks
September nights are crisp and often clearer, making them ideal for watching the stars. Head out after sunset maybe to a countryside spot or a dark park. Bring blankets, a thermos of something warm, and star charts (or an app) to spot constellations, the moon’s phases, or passing satellites.
Alternatively, try a family night walk. With torches in hand, step quietly through woods or suburban trails. Listen for owls, smell the dew, spot foxes or hedgehogs scuttling about. It’s an adventure in itself and a beautiful way to tune into the quieter side of nature.
6. Foraging & WildEdible Workshops
September brings a bounty: blackberries, wild mushrooms (where safe), hazelnuts, sloes. Take a foraging walk with a guide or find a trusted local guidebook. It’s educational, exciting, and connects kids with where food comes from.
Once home, turn the spoils into a jam, pie, or even elderflower cordial (if you managed some over summer). Use the materials outdoors too: build dens from fallen branches, weave hazel twig crowns, or mix edible finds into sensory trays for young children.
7. Outdoor Playhouse Picnics & Garden Camping
If you have an outdoor playhouse, garden hut, or just a patch of lawn, September’s temperates are perfect for a garden “camp-out.” Set up sleeping bags or tents, hang fairy lights, and bring snacks for a twilight picnic under the trees.
You can turn the playhouse into a storytelling nook—grab books, lanterns, soft blankets and let the children’s imaginations run wild. Outdoor Fun Toys has structures that add charm to these moments: playhouses, huts, dens, they all become stages for adventures.
8. Bike Rides, Scooting & Nature Trails
Lovely country lanes, forest paths, canal towpaths ,September is fantastic for exploring by wheel. Take the bikes or scooters and discover new routes, maybe even a railway path or disused tramline turned walking/cycling trail.
Make it more than just riding: stop for birdwatching, sketch a scene, count insects, or listen to the wind through the trees. Pack a snack and have an onsite picnic. All this combines well with outdoor play: wheels, movement, family time.
9. Harvest Festivals & Local Fairs
Across the UK, September is full of local fairs and harvest festivals. These are charming, colourful, sociable events with produce stalls, games, live music and even petting zoos. They offer a wonderful way to connect with the community, enjoy fresh local food, and let children explore and learn.
Check what’s on nearby, get a map of the fair, and let the march of activities ,crafts, rides, sheep shearing lead your day. Combine with outdoor play: after the fair, take kids to burn off energy in a nearby park, or let them fly kites open air.
10. Garden Changes & Autumn Crafting
September is a month of transition, with summer winding down and autumn gently rising. In the garden, it’s the perfect time to pull up spent plants, clear away leaves, and plant spring bulbs. Involving the kids makes it even more meaningful, they can help sow bulbs, paint pots, and plant things that will bloom next year, giving them something exciting to look forward to.
You can also bring creativity outdoors by gathering leaves, pinecones, twigs, and acorns to make lanterns, leaf rubbings, or natural mobiles. These crafts blend indoor and outdoor play beautifully: collect materials outside, create indoors (or under a shelter), then display your finished work in the garden or around the home. Running to gather, sorting through finds, and choosing designs all become part of the play and learning.
Bringing It Together with Outdoor Fun Toys
Here at Outdoor Fun Toys, we absolutely love seeing families use our playhouses, climbers, tunnels, and games to bring these ideas to life. Whether you’re hosting a garden sleepover in your outdoor playhouse, using our play tunnels for hide-and-seek in the woods, or setting up a backyard obstacle course after a walk. Our gear is made to spark creativity, joy, and active play.
Make sure you browse our seasonal deals before September really kicks in. And if you need ideas on what pieces work well together for your garden or your family’s favourite kind of adventure, we’re always here to help. We want you to step outside, breathe deeply, play openly, and make this September one to remember.
🌟 Tips for Making the Most of September
Plan for weather changes: pack layers, waterproofs, and maybe a spare set of socks just in case.
Go at golden hour: early morning or late afternoon often gives the best light, quieter paths, and softer temperatures.
Mix activity with rest: some days go big woods, beach, festivals; others keep it simple play in garden, craft and bake.
- Outdoor Fun Toys