Family-Friendly Fall Activities on Your Blackfin

Fall is a wonderful time to get the family out on your Blackfin center console and enjoy the crisp air and beautiful scenery. As the leaves change color and the weather cools down, there are so many fun activities you can do together to celebrate the season. Here are some of our top picks for family-friendly fall fun on your boat!

Take a Fall Foliage Cruise

One of the best parts of fall is seeing the leaves change from green to vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow. Take a cruise along the coastline or inland waterways to get up close and personal with the fall foliage. Have your kids collect leaves from different trees and see if they can identify them when you return home. Stop to explore an island or beach and go for a leaf-crunching nature hike. Don’t forget to bring hot cider in a thermos!

Go Apple or Pumpkin Picking

Many farms and orchards allow boat access during autumn harvest seasons. Cruise over to an apple or pumpkin patch and let the kids pick their own fruit right from the trees or vines. Many farms also have petting zoos, corn mazes, and other fun activities when you need a break from the boat. Bring an empty canvas bag or two to hold all those tasty apples and don’t forget the pumpkin carving tools!

Have a Fall Picnic

Pack a hearty seasonal picnic lunch like turkey sandwiches, chili, soup, hot apple cider, and pumpkin pie. Cruise out to a protected cove or island and drop anchor for a relaxing autumn meal. Bring sweatshirts and blankets in case there’s a chill in the air. Make sure to take plenty of fall family photos with the beautiful scenery. If you have small children, set up a play or picnic area on the shore where they can burn off energy.

Go Birdwatching

Fall bird migration brings a host of new species to admire. Pack your binoculars, bird identification books, and camera to see how many birds your family can spot from ashore or on your boat. Have a contest to see who can identify the most species or photograph favored birds like ducks, herons, hawks, and songbirds before they continue their migration south.

Search for Wildlife

The fall season brings large mammals like deer, black bears, moose, and more out into the open as they forage for food ahead of winter. Safely search shorelines and waterside regions for megafauna sightings from your boat. See who can spot these cool critters first. Always keep a respectful distance and be sure not to encroach on their habitat.

Go on a Leaf Hunt

Along your fall cruise, keep an eye out for interesting leaves to collect. See who can find the leaf with the most points, the largest leaf, a leaf chewed on by insects, the most colorful leaf, etc. Use a nature guide to identify your different leaf specimens. Press them between the pages of a book as keepsakes when you return home.

Enjoy the Changing Colors

Cruising around sunrise and sunset when the light is low on the horizon can make fall colors pop even more. Pack hot drinks and blankets and take in a vibrant sunset over a forest of changing trees. Wake early to catch the morning light filtering through red and golden leaves. Soak up some vitamin D and beautiful memories with your closest family members.

Host a Costume Party

Pick a protected anchorage and invite another family out for a floating Halloween costume party — costumes are required! Decorate your boats with spider webs, tombstones, ghosts, and pumpkins. Supply spooky snacks, Halloween-themed music, and games for the kids. Award prizes for best costumes, most creative carved pumpkins, and send off floating lanterns when the sun goes down.

Go on a History Cruise

Many lakes, rivers, harbors, and oceans have important historical sites along their shores. Research local waterways to find Revolutionary War forts, ancient Native American petroglyphs, lighthouses, or shipwrecks you can safely view from your boat. Pack a lunch and make a day out of exploring history as a family. Older kids will enjoy the quest.

Catch (and Release) Fish

Fall fishing can be fantastic with hungry fish stocking up for the winter. Try casting lines for bass, walleye, trout, pike, salmon, or other local species. Make sure everyone has the right fishing license and gear. Set a friendly family competition to see who can land the first fish, the most fish, or the largest fish of the day. Take plenty of photos, but release your catch to fight another day.

Host a Campout

Turn your boat into a campsite for the night! Find a protected anchorage or marina slip and break out the tents to sleep under the stars. Cook hot dogs or s’mores over a grilling surface or portable campfire. Share funny stories and maybe even some spooky tales as the sun goes down. Don’t forget the flashlights, lanterns, sleeping bags, and pads. In the morning, go for a brisk swim or paddle to shake off the autumn chill.

Get Competitive with Games

A little friendly competition goes a long way on a family adventure. See who can spot the most navigation markers during your cruise or have kids team up against parents in trivia. Play hide and seek on a secluded island or beach. Have a scavenger hunt to collect the most pieces of sea glass, unique shells, smoothed driftwood, or colorful fall leaves. Award fun prizes like glow sticks, candy, or dollar store toys to the winners.

Serve Up Seasonal Treats

From crunchy caramel apples to thick slices of pumpkin bread loaded with chocolate chips, fall is prime time for delicious seasonal treats. Prep some hearty appetizers to nosh on like chili, hot spinach artichoke dip, or cheesy baked potato skins. Wrap up in sweatshirts and enjoy the sights and flavors of the season together. Nothing beats a mug of hot apple cider after a blustery boat ride!

Paddle a River, Lake, or Inlet

Trade in engine power for arm power! Use kayaks or stand-up paddleboards to explore calm inland waterways. Start with a short paddle trip that’s suitable for younger kids. Search for unique birds and other wildlife that call the shallows home. Pack a shoreside lunch or line the boards and boats with snacks and drinks for easy access to the water. Add jackets and hats to stay warm in the autumn breezes.

Volunteer for a Waterway Cleanup

Set a good example for your kids and give back to nature in a meaningful way by organizing or participating in a waterway cleanup day. Coordinate with local environmental groups that may already have efforts underway. Provide your boat to transport volunteers to shorelines and islands that need some stewardship. Help remove fishing lines, plastic debris, illegally dumped items, and other trash. Inspire the next generation to care for the lakes, rivers, and oceans that provide so much recreation.

The possibilities are endless when cruising with your family on a Blackfin center console. We hope these ideas spark some fresh ways to enjoy time together this fall season. Don’t let dropping temperatures stop your adventures. With a little preparation for layered clothing and some hot drinks, your boat is the perfect way to celebrate the beauty of autumn.