Things to Do in October – Seasonal Ideas and Inspiration

Like L M Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables, “I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers”! The leaves have begun to change in earnest and I start to feel it’s time to draw hearthside with family and friends. Discover great things to do in October — cosy crafts, autumn walks, home prep, self-care tips and family adventures for the season.

Updated October 2025

Things To Do In October

Here is some easy inspiration for both fun and practical things to do in October.

Get Creative

Why not try something new like an Autumn Floral Class? In the photograph above, I am pictured at a 2024 pumpkin arrangement making class I booked at Green Parlour. It was so much fun, and I had a lovely fall arrangement to take home afterwards. This is a great time of year to try something new, whether that’s journalling at home, taking a watercolour or sketching class or learning how to make pottery or jewellery. You are never too old to learn something new, and creativity is good for the soul – especially if you think you are not good at crafts (like me!).

Refresh and update your wardrobe

This is the perfect time of year to refresh and update your wardrobe.

Is your winter coat still in good condition? If so, see if you have a pretty scarf on hand that might give it a new lease of life. Make sure your boots are still up to cold weather and rain as well. If you need a new coat or boots, there are lots of pre-season sales on now. Bring cool weather clothes closer to the front of your wardrobe or store your summer gear in a spare closet if you have room.

Does everyone have cool weather gear that fits?

Has everyone in the family got winter coats, boots, hats and mittens that fit? There is nothing like discovering your child’s coat is too small on the first cold day of the year! As children grow so fast and are usually too big for their clothes before they are worn out, why not have a coat/cold weather clothing and accessories exchange with friends who have kids of similar ages? It can save a fortune and is good for the environment as well. If you do need to go shopping, now is the time as there is a wider selection of styles and colours available than there will be later in the year.

Things To Do In October – Focus on Self Care

Adjust your skin care routine

When the weather changes, your skin care needs change too. You may find you need more moisture in the winter months or perhaps a product to calm the redness cold weather can cause in sensitive skin. If you are not already using an eye cream, now is definitely the time to start. Use a hand and body cream every day to prevent dryness. Check out more of my fall beauty tips here.

Remember children may have dry and sensitive skin too so make sure you have kid-appropriate products available.

Restock the medicine cabinet

Another one of the important things to do in October is to restock your medicine cabinet and update your first aid kit. Make sure you have over the counter remedies on hand to treat minor cases of cold and flu in children and adults. It’s also a good time to check there are no out of date medicines.

Be sure to check that your first aid kit is in date and fully restocked if you have used any of the components. It is a good idea to have a first aid kit in any cars you drive as well as in your home. This is the first aid kit that I purchased for our home and cars this year (affiliate link).

Buy new toothbrushes

When did you last change your toothbrush? If it’s more than 3 months ago, it’s time for a new one. Keep fresh toothbrushes on hand as you should always change toothbrushes after any illness.

Things to Do in October – Home Decor

Make your home cosy for the season

Now is a great time to freshen up your home for fall and winter or try some of my fall decorating ideas. 

Display an autumn wreath on your door or enjoy some colour fall flower arrangements. (Both the arrangement in the photograph above and the wreath below were designed by Green Parlour.)

Or pile some squash or gourds in a pretty bowl and display them on a table. Fall is rich with inspiration if you enjoy decorating your home for the seasons.

I love this pumpkin display at Langdon Hall Hotel in Cambridge, Ontario. I don’t have a porch, but I have used this display for doorway and doorstep decorating inspiration.

Also, be sure to take care of any outdoor maintenance before it gets too cold, including getting your garden ready for the winter.

Things To Do In October – Homemaking

Tidy Up With A Little Autumn Cleaning

Tidy up with a little autumn cleaning. De-clutter your home where you can and do a deep clean – or book a professional cleaner to do it for you.

Embrace Seasonal Cooking and Autumn Flavours

This is a good time to sort through cupboards and pantries to make sure everything is in date and you have all you need.

Make sure the oven is clean in preparation for fall celebrations and Christmas.

Start thinking about comfort food recipes and bring your slow cooker (affiliate link) out of the cupboard if you have not already. My favourite slow cooker recipes include Short Ribs in a Sweet and Spicy Sauce, Honey and Garlic Chicken and this Chinese Style Beef recipe.

Make Bedrooms a Sanctuary

Add cushions and throws or blankets to make beds look extra cosy and encourage snuggling up. Change beds once a week, more often if someone is not well as germs can lurk on the sheets.

Keep bedrooms fresh by open the windows to air the beds for 10 to 15 minutes every morning before they are made. If it is really cold, then even a few minutes is fine. In cooler weather, I close the bedroom doors when airing the room so the house does not get cold.

Things to Do in October – Outdoors

Get out and enjoy the beauty of autumn

Get outside whenever time and weather permit and encourage your kids or grandkids if you have them to do likewise. Walking is great exercise and with the dwindling light we need to get as much vitamin D as we can while we can. Wrap up warm and enjoy exploring with younger kids or take the opportunity for a long walk and a chat with older ones. Or go for a walk and talk with a friend. You can do this in person or on the phone if friends are far away- although be careful and be aware of your surroundings if you are using a phone while walking. It’s a great way to clear your head and enjoy some time together as well as keep fit.

Other great things to do in October outside include visiting a pick your own apple orchard or pumpkin patch, exploring the gardens of stately homes (in the UK, the Royal Horticultural Society and National Trust have lots of gardens you can visit) or taking part in a local parkrun.

Celebrate Autumn Holidays

Whether it’s Harvest Festival, Canadian Thanksgiving (second Monday in October, 13th October in 2025), Apple Day or Hallowe’en, there’s plenty to celebrate this month. Make the most of these holidays – even if you don’t celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving as I do, you can always make a pumpkin pie one weekend. Or make a delicious Apple Recipe for Apple Day! Even though my son is now a grown up, I still enjoy carving a pumpkin for Hallowe’en. And a beautiful way to celebrate the harvest is to make a donation to your local food bank, either of food, money or your time.

Things to Do in October – Pre-Christmas Preparation

It’s not too early and honestly, you will thank me. I’m not suggesting you break out the tinsel here, but if you start now, things will not seem as overwhelming as the big day approaches.

Update your address book and think about Christmas greetings

Go through your address book or contacts and make sure you have an up to date list of everyone who you will be sending cards or Christmas gifts over the holiday period. If you have family and friends abroad you should definitely do this before the end of the month.

It may seem early, but if you are planning to send Christmas cards with a photograph on them or include photos in a Christmas letter, start to go through your camera roll and see if you have good photos to use. If not, now is a great time to have some taken.

If you are planning to order personalised Christmas cards for your family or business, this is a good time to do it. It can also be a good time to start your Christmas shopping to help spread the cost.

Make The Most of October

Take time to savour all the beauty October brings, from crisp mornings and cosy rainy days to vibrant leaves and comforting suppers. I like to think of it as the start of the cosy season, a month to slow down, enjoy simple pleasures and celebrate life’s simple moments. Wishing you a wonderful October!