Fall has arrived in the Pacific Northwest! Whether your family wants to take in the beauty of the fall colors in Pierce County or bake a delicious pumpkin bread together, we’ve got you covered. Click the photo for each activity to be redirected to more details.
Attend a Trunk or Treat
Join Tacoma Community House on October 29th from 3 to 6 p.m. for Halloween on the Hill 2022! This is an annual Walk-Thru Trunk or Treat for the entire community.
Other upcoming Trunk or Treat events include UPP Trunk or Treat on October 21, Saint Patrick Catholic School Trunk or Treat on October 22, Evergreen Lutheran High School Trunk or Treat on October 29, SureHouse Open Bible Church Trunk or Treat on October 31, and many more!
Celebrate Dia de los Muertos
Join TAPCO Credit Union for their second annual Dia de los Muertos on 6th Ave on Saturday, October 29 from 2 to 8 p.m. Paint your face, get dressed up, or come as you are. Learn more about the history, join the sidewalk skeleton parade down 6th Ave, listen to live music on two different stages, eat Latin food, and shop local craft vendors. This is a FREE family friendly community event.
Explore a Pumpkin Patch
Head to one of the locally owned pumpkin farms in Pierce County to choose the perfect pumpkin for carving, painting or baking. All of the farms also have plenty of fun fall activities for the whole family!
Double RR Farms has a pumpkin slingshot and free hayrides, Maris Farms has pig and duck races, and Picha Farms has live bluegrass music on the weekends.
Take in the Fall Colors
Washington state does autumn like nowhere else on earth! To help you and your family take in the fall colors before the weather gets too cold, we’ve put together a list of some of our favorite spots in Pierce County.
From local favorites to renowned hikes, our list has options for everyone. All of our recommendations are appropriate for children, so take a look and get to planning that perfect fall afternoon. Click the photo to view the list!
Walk the Haunted Trails
Head to Thelma Gilmur Park in Fircrest on October 20 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. for a spooky, spine-chilling adventure through the trails. The Haunted Trails are free, but a $3 donation is suggested. Located at Emerson & Evergreen Drive in Fircrest.
Complimentary parking is available at Fircrest Presbyterian Church thanks to their generous sponsorship. Kiwanis will be on site with hot drinks.
Complete the Native American Heritage Month Storywalk
Honor Native American Heritage Month with a storywalk for all ages! The picture book We Are Still Here! by Traci Sorell will be on display from November 1 to November 30 at the Moore, Swasey, and Wheelock branches.
No registration required. Stop by a participating branch during regular open hours. Social distancing is required and masks are strongly encouraged.
See the Fantasy Lights at Spanaway
Walkers can once again experience the magic of Fantasy Lights by strolling through Spanaway Park on either Saturday, November 19, or Sunday, November 20. Two walking sessions from 4:30-6:30 p.m. and 7:00-9:00 p.m. will be scheduled each night to enjoy the sights and sounds of the holidays, food trucks, and more!
Make a Fall-Themed Recipe Together
Pumpkin muffins, pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin ice cream, oh my!
Check out this list of kid-friendly fall recipes for all things pumpkin, apple, cinnamon and oatmeal, with gluten-free and no-bake options.
Go on a Fall Color Scavenger Hunt
All you’ll need for this activity is a paper bag, markers, crayons, or colored pencils in a variety of colors, an adventurous spirit, and an eye for detail. Choose the colors you’d like to search for on your scavenger hunt, and as you come across them on your neighborhood walk, add them to your bag!
By the end of this activity, you’ll have a spectrum of fall colors filling your bag and a renewed sense of belonging in the neighborhood you call home.
