9 Fun Things to Do With Kids This Fall in Pasadena
Published September 2026 by Lindsay Hafer, AMFT
Fall in Pasadena may look a little different from the classic New England version, but that doesn't mean there aren't plenty of ways to enjoy the season. From picking out pumpkins and exploring fall festivals to Halloween adventures, arts and crafts, and cozy afternoons together, autumn is a great time to slow down and make some family memories.
If you're looking for fun fall activities for kids in Pasadena and the surrounding area, here are a few ideas to add to your family's fall bucket list.
1. Pick Out a Pumpkin at a Local Pumpkin Patch
Picking out a pumpkin is one of those simple fall traditions that kids tend to look forward to every year.
For a local Pasadena option, check out Pasadena Pumpkin Patch by Taghavi Farms on Lake Avenue. It's a convenient spot for families looking to pick out pumpkins, take some fall photos, and enjoy kid-friendly activities like inflatables and crafts.
Another option nearby is Tahoe Scottys in South Pasadena. The seasonal pumpkin patch and Christmas tree lot is a fun place to start getting into the fall spirit, and it's especially nice if you're looking for a more traditional seasonal outing.
Opportunity for choice: Let your child choose their own pumpkin, even if they pick the weirdest, tiniest, or most lopsided one in the patch.
2. Spend a Fall Day at Descanso Gardens
Fall is a particularly fun time to visit Descanso Gardens, especially because the gardens have several seasonal events throughout October.
One of the biggest is Carved, Descanso's nighttime Halloween experience, which runs from October 2 through November 1, 2026. Families can walk through a glowing trail featuring jack-o'-lanterns, hand-carved pumpkins, illuminated displays, and other fall surprises.
There's also Halloween Day at Descanso on October 31, with trick-or-treating and the Pumpkin Express train ride during the day.
For families with younger children, this could be a great alternative to a scarier Halloween attraction.
Parent tip: If your child isn't a fan of spooky things, visit during the daytime. If they're all about Halloween, check out Carved after dark.
3. Visit the Montrose Farmers' Market, Then Come Back for Halloween
If you're looking for a relaxed weekend activity, head to the Montrose Farmers' Market on Sunday and make a morning of it. Located along Honolulu Avenue, the market is a great place to wander with kids, pick up fresh produce and baked goods, and discover something new from local vendors.
Let your child choose a fruit or treat they've never tried before, pick out some flowers, or help you decide what to bring home for dinner. Sometimes a simple trip to the farmers' market can turn into a little family adventure.
And if your family loves Halloween, come back to Montrose on October 31 for the annual Halloween Spooktacular!
From 5:00–7:00 PM, merchants throughout the 2200, 2300, and 2400 blocks of Honolulu Avenue will be handing out candy as the Montrose Shopping Park transforms into a festive Halloween destination. The event is designed as a family-friendly, safe, and supervised way to celebrate Halloween, with traditional tricks and treats along with a few surprises.
Make it a tradition: Visit the farmers' market earlier in the fall, then return on Halloween night to see how differently the neighborhood looks after dark. 🎃
4. Go Scarecrow Hunting at the Sierra Madre Scarecrow Festival
Looking for a fall activity that's a little different from the usual pumpkin patch? Head to nearby Sierra Madre for the Sierra Madre Scarecrow Festival, a free, family-friendly fall tradition celebrating creativity, imagination, and community.
Each year, handcrafted scarecrows pop up throughout the town, giving families a fun reason to explore Sierra Madre together. And there's a special activity just for little ones: small black scarecrows are hidden throughout town for a festive scavenger hunt! Kids who find one can turn it in for a candy scarecrow, a tradition that's sure to be a hit with younger children.
The festival also gives families a chance to get creative themselves. Scarecrow kits are available through the Creative Arts Group for a small donation, so your family can design and create your own scarecrow to display as part of the festival.
The festival's kick-off celebration is September 16 from 2:30–4:30 PM, with a fall craft activity and scarecrow kits available.
Make it a family challenge: Pick your favorite scarecrow as you explore town. Is it the funniest? The spookiest? The most creative? See if everyone in the family can agree on a winner!
And don't forget to grab a snack or browse some of the local shops while you're exploring. It's a great way to turn the scavenger hunt into a whole afternoon adventure.
5. Go Looking for Fall Leaves
No, you don't have to travel across the country to enjoy a little fall foliage.
Take a walk around Pasadena or one of the surrounding neighborhoods and see what you can find. Fall colors in Southern California can be subtle, which actually makes this a fun activity for kids—you have to pay attention.
Turn it into a fall scavenger hunt:
Find a red leaf
Find a yellow leaf
Find an acorn
Find the biggest tree
Find a feather
Spot an animal
Find five different colors in nature
Bring a little notebook and have your child draw their favorite things they see along the way.
The best part? It's free.
6. Have a Halloween Adventure at Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood
For older kids, teens, or movie-loving families, make a trip to Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood in Burbank.
The behind-the-scenes studio tour is already a fun outing, but the Halloween season makes it especially appealing for families who love movies and TV. Depending on the current seasonal programming, visitors can experience the studio's sets and behind-the-scenes world while getting into the Halloween spirit.
This is a particularly good option for tweens and teens who may have outgrown some of the more traditional pumpkin-patch activities.
Make it extra fun: Let your child choose a favorite movie or show before you go and see what you recognize during the tour.
7. Bake Something Cozy Together
Not every fall activity needs to involve leaving the house.
Pick a chilly afternoon, put on some music, and bake something together. Pumpkin bread, apple crisp, cinnamon rolls, pumpkin muffins, or Halloween cookies are all great options.
And don't worry about the mess.
Let your child measure the ingredients, stir the batter, decorate the cookies, or decide what recipe you should try next.
Bonus activity: Have your child create a name and logo for your family's imaginary fall bakery.
It's a little silly, and that's exactly the point.
8. Make a Fall Craft From Things You Find Outside
Combine your fall walk with an afternoon art project.
Collect a few fallen leaves and use them to make leaf rubbings, collages, bookmarks, or silly leaf animals. You can also decorate mini pumpkins, make paper bats and ghosts, or create your own fall decorations.
For younger children, the process is more important than the finished product.
Let them choose the colors. Let them make something upside down. Let the leaf creature have twelve legs.
There is no wrong way to make fall art.
And if you want to get out of the house, keep an eye on local library and community-center calendars for seasonal children's craft programs.
9. Have a Cozy Café Date
Sometimes the best fall activity is simply getting cozy somewhere together.
Pick a local café and take your child out for a special treat—hot chocolate, a pastry, tea, or whatever makes them feel like they're having their own little café date.
The activity itself isn't really the point.
It's the opportunity to sit across from your child without rushing to the next thing.
Try asking:
"What's something you're really excited about right now?"
or
"What's something that's been hard lately?"
You might be surprised by how much your child has to say when there isn't a screen, homework assignment, or activity competing for their attention.
Fall Doesn't Have to Be Complicated
There can be a lot of pressure to make every season special for our kids.
But you don't need to plan an elaborate weekend or spend a lot of money to create meaningful family memories.
Pick a pumpkin.
Bake something.
Take a walk.
Make a silly scarecrow.
Get hot chocolate.
Go look at the leaves.
Sometimes the smallest moments of connection become the ones our kids remember most.
Fall can be a season of fun, but it can also bring new routines, transitions, and challenges for kids and families. If your child, teen, or family could use some extra support, Heartship Therapy is here to help.
Ready to connect? Visit Heartship Therapy to learn more about our services or book an appointment.