25 Simple & Cozy September Bucket List Ideas

Slow down and find joy in everyday moments with these 25 simple & cozy September Bucket List Ideas to help you unwind during the first month of fall. Plus, grab the FREE printable bucket list + bingo card to make it extra fun! ✨

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Fall is almost here! And that means it’s time to start making your fall bucket list!

In this post, I’m sharing my free printable September bucket list + bingo card to help you make the most of this month. Not too many holidays this month but Labor Day, autumn equinox (aka the first official day of fall), and the NFL kickoff game are all fun things to look forward to in September.

Even though the first official day of fall isn’t until the end of the month, I usually start getting excited about autumn as soon as Labor Day weekend is over!

There are so many simple & cozy things to do during fall, and this September bucket list is packed full of activities to do with friends, family, or just solo.

I’m also back to making monthly bucket lists this month! I made a general summer bucket list for the months of June, July, and August but my monthly bucket lists seem to be a lot more popular, so I’ll be sticking with those from now on 🤗

And honestly, I prefer a monthly bucket list over a general seasonal bucket list too!

🌸 Looking for self care ideas? Download my FREE printable list of 101 Self Care Ideas!

I love celebrating the seasons & holidays, and making a monthly bucket list helps me live each month with intention and do all the simple, cozy, seasonal activities to relax and enjoy life even after the 9-5 grind.

If that sounds like you, you’re in the right place! You can use this bucket list to plan a fun activity to do after a long day at work, on Friday night, or the weekend. There’s no pressure – do as much or as little as you like! ☺️

I even have a FREE printable bucket list that you can print out or use on your phone! To make things extra fun, I also made a printable bingo card that you can turn into a game or use as an activity advent calendar!

Download a FREE Printable Bucket List + Bingo Card!

🍂 Seasonal & Holiday Fun

1. Decorate your home for fall

I’m a complete sucker for anything related to home decoration (and an avid Home Goods fan), but my favorite time to decorate my apartment is in the fall. Hands down. I love adding pumpkins, chunky blankets, plaid pillows, and lots of orange & maroon pops throughout my place!

2. Celebrate Labor Day with a backyard BBQ or picnic

Kick off September by making the most of the long Labor Day weekend! I think of it as the unofficial end of summer and start of fall. Fire up the grill for a backyard BBQ, pack a picnic to enjoy at your local park, or just spend the day relaxing inside.

3. Light a fall-scented candle

Ahhh, September is also my favorite time of the year to stock up on candles! Bath & Body Works is my favorite place to buy fall candles, but Yankee Candle has a really good selection too. Lighting your favorite fall-scented candle while reading, cooking dinner, or relaxing after a busy day at work is a great way to de-stress and make your home feel like fall.

4. Wear a cozy fall sweater

Time to pull your cardigans and knit sweaters out of storage! I love wearing my chunky knit sweaters or baggy cardigan to get extra cozy even when I’m relaxing at home.

5. Watch the football kickoff game

Ahh, there’s something just so nostalgic about watching football in the fall. It’s also a great excuse for me to make all my favorite game day snacks!

6. Watch your favorite fall movie or TV show

Gilmore Girls and Gossip Girl will always be my favorite fall TV shows 🧡 I also have a soft spot for When Harry Met Sally. You could also watch your favorite Halloween movie or a horror film if you’re a fan of the spooky stuff!

7. Celebrate the first day of fall

While Labor Day is the unofficial start of fall, the autumn equinox (which usually falls at the end of September), marks the official start of cozy season! I usually like to cook a cozy fall dinner, bake something with pumpkin, or just watch a movie wrapped up in my chunky blanket. Feel free to use this bucket list as for inspiration!

🍎 Cooking & Festive Bites

8. Make something with pumpkin

September = pumpkin season! I always try to make at least one pumpkin recipe to kick off fall, like these 3-ingredient pumpkin protein pancakes which are so easy but delicious! It’s also a great way to fill your kitchen with yummy fall smells!

9. Cook a hearty homemade soup

The first chilly day of September always has me craving a big bowl of homemade soup. Whether it’s chicken noodle, tomato, or a creamy potato soup, there’s nothing better than curling up with a warm bowl of soup after a long day. Here are 15 creamy soup ideas to get you inspired!

10. Drink fresh apple cider

One of my favorite fall traditions is picking up a jug of fresh apple cider from a local orchard or farmers market. I love drinking it chilled, but warming it up with a cinnamon stick makes it even cozier on a crisp September evening.

11. Bake cinnamon rolls on a chilly morning

Okay so I haven’t done this before, but it’s definitely on my bucket list for this fall. Yes, you can say I got influenced by Instagram 🤣 I plan on baking a tube of jumbo cinnamon rolls, but you can also make your own from scratch if you have time!

12. Cook something with butternut squash

As soon as butternut squash starts showing up at the grocery store, I know fall has arrived. I love roasting it, tossing it into soups, or adding it to pasta dishes for an easy way to enjoy one of my favorite fall veggies,

13. Make a cozy crockpot stew for dinner

There’s nothing easier than throwing a few ingredients into the slow cooker and coming home to dinner already made. It’s really the best for lazy fall nights! Making a crockpot stew is an absolute must during autumn, but here are 25 more high protein crockpot recipes (all made with 5 ingredients or less!).

14. Buy your first pumpkin spice latte

It doesn’t feel like September without treating yourself to a pumpkin spice latte! Whether I grab one from my favorite coffee shop or make one at home, it’s a fun little tradition that instantly puts me in the fall mood.

🎨 DIY & Creative Hobbies

15. Make a fall wreath for your front door

One of my favorite ways to start the new season is by hanging a seasonal wreath on my front door. It’s so much fun to make your own wreath, and it’s pretty easy too!

16. Paint or decorate a pumpkin

This is a fun activity you can do with friends, kids, as a family, or even just solo. Painted pumpkins also last way longer than carved ones, so that’s a bonus!

17. Make pressed art with colorful fall leaves

Pressing leaves is a fun de-stressing activity and it’s also a nice way to keep a “fall scrapbook”. Colllect some leaves during your fall walks, press them between the pages of a heavy book, then turn them into artwork that you can frame or place in an empty notebook.

18. Try knitting or crocheting

Even if you’ve never knitted or crocheted before, September is a great time to learn. There are so many Youtube videos that will teach you how to crochet and knit. They also make great holiday gifts too, so start practicing now!

19. Make homemade fall-scented potpourri

Simmer pots are a great way to naturally infuse your home with scents. Make a fall simmer pot with ingredients like apple slices, cinnamon sticks, oranges, cloves, and vanilla. Take a large pot, fill it with water and the ingredients, and let it simmer on low for a few hours. It’s simple, inexpensive, and a great way to use up leftover ingredients or spices!

20. Buy mums and create a fall flower arrangement

I would say that next to tulips, mums are probably one of my favorite flowers. They’re so bright, colorful, and they’re pretty hardy too! Autumn is the best season for mums . I love picking up a bouquet of yellow, orange, or red mums from Trader Joe’s and placing them on my coffee table to brighten up my apartment.

🌳 Outdoor Activities & Adventures

21. Visit the farmer’s market for seasonal produce

Farmer markets in September are usually filled with apples, pumpkins, squash, and pears, making it the perfect time to stock up on ingredients for cozy fall recipes while supporting local farmers.

22. Go pumpkin picking

No September bucket list is complete without a trip to the pumpkin patch! It’s a fun weekend activity and it’s a good spot to pick up some pumpkins for carving, decorating, and cooking.

23. Take a scenic fall drive

This one is just so nostalgic for me. Growing up, we would always take road trips through the Laurel Highlands in Pennsylvania during late September for the fall colors. Vermont is of course one of the best states for fall foliage, but I will say that I’ve found a lot of beautiful fall colors in Northern California too!

24. Go apple picking or visit an apple orchard

Apple picking is another classic fall activity to do with friends or family. It’s also a great way to stock up on apples to make your own cider or baked goodies at home!

25. Go on a relaxing nature walk and collect fall leaves

One of my favorite ways to slow down in September is by just talking a walk outside. It sounds so simple, but it’s a great way to get some fresh air and admire the changing leaves.

Download a FREE Printable Bucket List + Bingo Card!

🛁 More Self-Care Ideas & Printables

• 101 Easy Self Care Ideas
• 50 Winter Self Care Ideas

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