The leaves are changing colors, and the temperature is dropping, which means that fall is upon us! This time of year means that there are plenty of fun, autumn-themed activities you can do. Here are some ideas for how you can enjoy pumpkin spice season from home:

Decorate Pumpkins

Pumpkins are a staple of the season—for good reason! A freshly picked pumpkin can be lots of fun to carve or paint with characters from your favorite movies and TV shows or even just simple, silly faces. Try searching on Pinterest for free printables you can pin to your pumpkin and use as a stencil for carving. If painting is more your thing, make sure to wash and dry your pumpkin first, so the paint will stick to the pumpkin's surface. No matter how you decorate your pumpkin, make sure to lay down some old towels, newspapers, or a tarp, before you start decorating, to make cleaning up a little easier. If you're carving, try saving the pumpkin seeds you scoop out to plant in the backyard or put them to use in our next activity. Decorate your front stoop with your creations to add some curb appeal for the season!

Make Fall-Themed Treats

The kitchen is a great place to welcome the change in seasons. If pumpkin is your favorite fall flavor, there are plenty of sweet recipes, like this pumpkin spice sheet cake, these pumpkin scones, this pumpkin pie latte, or try topping off your morning toast with some pumpkin butter. For those who prefer savory pumpkin flavors, try this pumpkin sausage soup or this pumpkin dip.

Remember to set aside your pumpkin seeds if you're carving pumpkins! After you wash and dry the seeds, try roasting them with olive oil and salt for an easy snack. If you have a sweet tooth, try this recipe for cinnamon sugar pumpkin seeds.

There are lots of fun fall flavors besides pumpkin, too. You can make caramel apples or find similar flavors in this caramel apple cupcake recipe. You can also enter your neighborhood baking contest with any of these fall pie recipes.

Thinking of a new kitchen where you can make delicious fall-themed treats? You could qualify for a cash out refinance to get the money you need for a remodel!

Watch Fall-Themed Movies

Movie nights are a great way to enjoy lots of fall treats at home. Hocus Pocus, Coco, Halloweentown, Beetlejuice, and The Nightmare Before Christmas are fun flicks that the whole family can enjoy. Wear a costume to get into the spirit or stay cozy in silly pajama onesies to ramp up the fun. Make the space even more inviting by grabbing themed pillows and blankets so everyone stays comfortable during the movie marathon.

A new, indoor theater is another great idea to use your cash out refi money toward!

Host a Backyard Bonfire

A bonfire is a great way to stay warm on a chilly evening and still have a good time in the backyard. Invite family or friends for a meal or even just snacks in the evening—s'mores are a great option! Before the party starts, get to raking those leaves! Kids will have lots of fun jumping in leaf piles while the sun is setting as the party gets started. Keep the fun going with these campfire games or sip on some apple cider with this tasty recipe while catching up with friends. Want some great background music? Try our bonfire playlist!

Cozy up in a Fall-Themed Space

Quiet nights inside are a fun way to spend a fall evening with a fall-scented candle or a cozy fire going in your fireplace. Spruce up your fireplace by using orange peels for a fresh scent or pop some popcorn with this fireplace popcorn popper. Curl up with a fall-themed book from this ultimate reading list and settle in for a cozy night. Want to get ahead on gifts for the holiday season? Try learning to knit or crochet to make a scarf or a hat for a loved one.

Create Fall-Themed Crafts

The autumn season provides all kinds of fun inspiration for crafts. There's the classic handprint leaf turkey or check out a similar project with a twist: a leaf lion. For more crafty leaf ideas, try this glue-and-chalk, leaf garland or simple leaf spray painting. Pinecone birdfeeders are both fun to make and fun for birdwatching as your new feathered friends snack away. No matter which project you try, you'll have plenty of new art to hang on the fridge to enjoy for the rest of the season.