October might be one of the best months of the year to get out with the kids around Barrie. The fall colours are at their peak, pumpkin patches are open, Halloween is getting closer, and there are plenty of easy ways to turn an ordinary weekend into a fall adventure.

So grab a sweater, pack some snacks and see how many of these you can check off our Barrie Family October Bucket List this year!

Nothing says October quite like heading to a pumpkin patch and letting the kids search for the perfect pumpkin.

There are plenty of farms and fall attractions within an easy drive of Barrie where you can make a whole afternoon of it. Look for pumpkin patches with wagon rides, farm animals, corn mazes and other activities so there's plenty to do beyond picking your pumpkin.

Make it more fun: Let everyone in the family choose their own pumpkin, then have a carving or decorating night at home.

If you haven't made it apple picking yet this season, there's still time to squeeze in a trip.

Apple picking is an easy fall outing for younger kids because there's no complicated plan required: grab a bag, wander through the orchard and see who can find the biggest (or weirdest-looking) apple.

When you get home, turn your haul into apple crisp, muffins, applesauce or just a week's worth of school snacks.

Mom Scoop tip: Check the orchard's website or social media before leaving. Apple varieties and picking availability can change quickly as the season progresses.

Give the kids control of the directions and see how long it takes your family to make it out.

Several farms around Simcoe County offer corn mazes as part of their fall activities, often alongside pumpkin patches and other attractions.

For older kids, make it a competition. Split into teams and see who can find the exit first. With younger kids, sticking together is probably the safer bet!

October is prime time for fall colours around Barrie, and you don't need to drive far to find a great family-friendly trail.

Try a walk through Ardagh Bluffs, explore the trails at Sunnidale Park, head north to Copeland Forest, or simply take a waterfront walk along Kempenfelt Bay.

The trick with younger kids? Don't call it a hike. Make it an adventure.

Bring a snack, let them choose which trail to take and give them something to search for along the way.

This might be the easiest activity on the entire list — and it's completely free.

Head to your neighbourhood, a local park or one of Barrie's trails and challenge the kids to find:

Bring your favourites home and use them for a fall craft.

Not every October day is going to cooperate with your outdoor plans.

For a rainy afternoon, pull out the construction paper, glue and markers and make something Halloween-themed.

Try paper-plate ghosts, painted mini pumpkins, handprint monsters, homemade Halloween decorations or a classic construction-paper jack-o'-lantern.

It doesn't need to look Pinterest-perfect. Put the finished creations around the house and let the kids handle the Halloween decorating.

Before winter arrives, squeeze in a few more playground trips.

Instead of heading to your usual neighbourhood park, pick one the kids haven't visited before and turn it into a mini adventure.

Pack some hot chocolate or stop somewhere for a treat afterward. Even a simple playground visit feels different when it's somewhere new.

Bonus: October is often much quieter at popular playgrounds than the middle of summer.

Cool October evenings are made for backyard fires.

Bundle everyone up, bring out some blankets and roast marshmallows together. If you have older kids, let them experiment with different s'mores combinations — peanut butter cups instead of chocolate are hard to beat.

No backyard fire? You can recreate some of the experience indoors with oven-baked s'mores and a family game night.

Always follow local fire rules and burn restrictions.

After a busy fall weekend, sometimes staying home is exactly what everyone needs.

Let the kids choose a Halloween or fall movie, make a giant bowl of popcorn and turn the living room into a movie theatre.

Add blankets, turn off the lights and bring out a few Halloween treats.

For younger kids, choose something fun rather than scary. For older kids, you can slowly work your way into some Halloween classics.

October is packed with Halloween activities around Barrie and Simcoe County.

You'll find everything from pumpkin festivals and decorated trails to trick-or-treat events, library activities, community celebrations and Halloween parties.

The challenge isn't usually finding something to do — it's keeping track of everything happening.

That's where we come in.

You don't need an elaborate day trip every weekend to make October memorable.

Pick a pumpkin. Find the crunchiest leaf. Try a new playground. Make s'mores. Get lost in a corn maze.

See if your family can complete all 10 activities before October 31.

And if you're looking for something to do this weekend, Mom Scoop rounds up the best family-friendly events and activities happening around Barrie every week.