Check out this starter bucket list of things to do with your family and see if you can come up with your own ideas for fall family fun!
1. Spend a Day at the Kern County Fair
The Kern County Fair returns September 23 - October 4, making it a great way to kick off the fall season with the family. While carnival rides and fair food may be the first things that come to mind, there is plenty more for families to discover throughout the fairgrounds.
Things to Look For:
- Animals: Visit the Petting Farm in KC's Corner and walk through the livestock exhibits. Families particularly interested in livestock should go before the final days because animals begin leaving the fairgrounds on the last Thursday.
- Shows and Entertainment: Look for magic, stunt dogs, racing pigs and other rotating entertainment. The Fair also showcases local performers on its community stages.
- Exhibits: Don't skip these! Families can see locally entered photography, crafts, baked goods, agriculture, flowers, LEGO/K'Nex creations, models and more. There's also an entire Junior Department for exhibitors 18 and younger.
- Carnival rides: Pick a favorite ride--or try something new together. Families planning to spend substantial time on rides can compare individual ride costs with the Fair's carnival wristband options beforehand.
- Fair Food: Make trying a classic or unusual fair treat part of the adventure!
- Concerts and Performances: Families with older children can check the concert and entertainment schedules and make an evening of it.
- Rodeo: The Fair also has PRCA Rodeo performances September 25-26 and Fiesta del Charro Rodeo September 27. These require separate tickets in addition to Fair admission.
- Explore: Wander the booths, displays and community areas. Sometimes discovering something you weren't planning to see is half the fun.
MacaroniKID Parent Tip: Children 5 and under enter free, while ages 6-12 are $6 at the gate. Families can bring a factory-sealed water bottle, and there's a private breastfeeding room in Building 1. If your child gets separated from you, follow the "duck feet" to Harvest Hall. Check the Kern County Fair website before heading out for that day's entertainment schedule and current ticket deals.
2. Get Crafty by Making or Decorating Something that is Fall-Inspired
Fall is a great time to make something together. From pumpkins and Halloween decorations to painting, building, and other hands-on projects, Bakersfield families have plenty of places to look for a little creative inspiration.
- Check your local Kern County Library calendar. Different branches regularly offer children's crafts and creative programs which are free for the public.
- Build something at The Home Depot. Home Depot holds free Kids Workshops on the first Saturday of each month. For October 2026, kids can build a Witch Candy Box on October 3rd from 9am-12pm, while supplies last.
- Check Lowe's Home Improvement Kids Club. Lowe's has a Firefighting Plane workshop October 17 from 10am-1pm. Registration opens September 12.
- Visit the Bakersfield Museum of Art. Every Second Saturday of the month, the BMOA hosts Family Day for an all-ages welcome art workshop.
- Make Your Own Craft at Home. Gather leaves, paper bags, cardboard, paint, pinecones, or whatever you already have, and let the kids decide what they're making. If you need special items, visit a Dollar Tree, Walmart, Target, Michael's, or Hobby Lobby, and find your own inspiration for crafting at home!
Confirm dates, registration, and availability directly with the store or organization before heading out.
3. Make a Day of Visiting a Pumpkin Patch
From corn mazes to hay rides and pumpkin picking, a fall activity bucket list is not complete without a day to the pumpkin patch! Here are a few local favorites to choose from.
- Murray Family Farms. For 2026, this pumpkin patch is open daily in October with admission including a pumpkin. From walking the sunflower maze to visiting the animal garden, families will not be short of activities here!
- Cherry Acres. Open October 2-30 this year. Families can enjoy a 4-acre corn maze, sunflower fields, pumpkins, farm animals, and food trucks. There are also special events such as movie nights, live music, and trunk-or-treat. General entry is currently listed at $5, with ages 2 and under free.
- Banducci's Family Pumpkin Patch. A longtime southwest Bakersfield pumpkin-patch tradition on Taft Highway.
- The Patch Pumpkin Patch. Another option for pumpkin picking in northwest Bakersfield, on Brimhall Road.
Confirm event dates, times, and admission info with the pumpkin patch directly.
4. Find a Fall Festival or Trunk-or-Treat
As October rolls around, churches, schools, and community come together to celebrate fall festivities with trunk-or-treats throughout Bakersfield. Visit Macaroni Kid event calendars for full listings.
- Casa Loma Elementary Fall Festival & Trunk-or-Treat is being held on October 23 at 5pm.
- Kern County Sherriff's Office is holding National Night Out & Trick or Treat at Stramler Park on October 28 from 5pm-8pm.
5. See What's Happening at Your Local Library
Don't overlook your neighborhood library when looking for something to do this fall. Check your local branch calendar for story times, children's programs, seasonal events and other free family activities. Pick out a few fall books while you're there and make a cozy reading night at home part of the adventure.
6. Spend a Morning at an Outdoor Market
Now that the weather is finally cooling down, it's a reason to hit the outdoor markets! You can browse produce, baked goods, food vendors, and local makers. No need to spend a ton. Simply walk around, split a treat, talk to vendors, and let the kids see what's being grown and made locally. Along with the regular weekly farmer's market, check out the MacaroniKID event calendar for other local markets.
- F Street Farmers Market weekly on Saturday mornings in Downtown Bakersfield
- Haggin Oaks Farmers Market weekly on Sunday mornings and afternoons at the Kaiser Permanente on Ming Ave.
7. Get Moving Together
Cooler fall days are a great excuse to get the family moving. Grab the kids and maybe another family or parent-friend, too! Take a neighborhood walk, ride bikes, visit a park, explore a local trail or lace up some roller skates.
- Take a family walk or bike ride.
- Visit a Bakersfield park you've never tried.
- Take an easy family hike.
- Go roller skating at Skateland or one of Bakersfield's Rollerama locations.
- Let the kids choose the activity.
8. Celebrate Halloween Somewhere Special
Celebrate Safe Halloween at the Kern County Museum. Trick-or-treat through Pioneer Village while getting a glimpse of Kern County history along the way. The 16-acre village includes more than 50 historic structures and exhibits, including old homes, a one-room schoolhouse, general store, jail and oil derrick. Safe Halloween takes place October 30-31 from 5-9 p.m., making this a uniquely Bakersfield way to celebrate Halloween.
9. Taste Something That Feels Like Fall
Pumpkin, apple, cinnamon, maple, caramel and warm spices--fall brings plenty of excuses to try something seasonal. Make it a family challenge to find a fall flavor you've never tried before.
- Try pumpkin pie ice cream at Dewar's
- Stop at a local bakery and pick a seasonal pastry
- Find a pumpkin, apple, or maple drink at a local coffee shop
- Share a caramel apple at a pumpkin patch
- Bake something fall-inspired together at home.
