Creative & Easy 5th Grade Fall Party Ideas

There’s something magical about autumn that makes it perfect for fun classroom celebrations, and that’s where these 5th grade fall party ideas come in! With cooler weather, colorful leaves, and festive vibes, it’s a great time to bring students together for some seasonal fun. For 5th graders, a fall party is not just about having a good time—it’s also about making sure activities are age-appropriate, safe, and exciting enough to keep them engaged.

5th Grade Fall Party Ideas

5th Grade Fall Party Ideas bring seasonal fun to the classroom with age-appropriate games, crafts, and treats. From pumpkins to harvest themes, it’s a great way to celebrate autumn with excitement and creativity.

Pumpkin Bowling

Pumpkin Bowling is a silly and exciting game that lets 5th graders enjoy a fun twist on the classic bowling game. Instead of bowling balls, students roll small pumpkins to knock over pins made of empty water bottles. It’s active, laughter-filled, and perfect for fall vibes. This game also encourages friendly competition and teamwork.

 

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• Use mini round pumpkins with stems removed for smoother rolling

• Decorate empty bottles with fall-themed stickers or faces

• Play in the hallway or gym for more space

• Keep score on a chalkboard or poster

• Give small prizes like stickers or pencils for high scorers

Leaf Scavenger Hunt

This nature-based activity lets kids explore and discover different types of leaves in or around school. The Leaf Scavenger Hunt combines outdoor fun with learning as kids identify and collect colorful leaves. It’s ideal for encouraging observation and movement.

• Give each student a collection sheet with leaf types or colors

• Provide ziplock bags or baskets to gather leaves

• Add fun facts about trees or leaves for bonus points

• Do it as teams to build cooperation

• Create a classroom leaf collage afterward

Candy Corn Relay

This fast-paced relay uses spoons and candy corn for a hilarious, balance-focused race. Students race to move candy corn from one bowl to another without dropping it. It’s a great way to get kids up and moving while adding a sweet twist.

• Use plastic spoons for safety

• Make kids walk instead of run to avoid slips

• Keep candy corn separate from edible treats

• Set a timer to keep it fair for each team

• Offer fall-themed bookmarks or bracelets as rewards

Pumpkin Decorating Station

Let students showcase their creativity by decorating mini pumpkins using paints, stickers, or markers. It’s a calm and artistic activity perfect for balancing energetic games. The decorated pumpkins also make great take-home souvenirs.

• Use washable markers or acrylic paints

• Provide googly eyes, yarn, glitter, and tape for variety

• Lay out table covers for easy cleanup

• Assign drying space if using wet paint

• Encourage unique designs—funny faces, patterns, animals

Fall Bingo

Fall Bingo is a classic game reimagined with autumn-themed icons like apples, scarecrows, and acorns. It’s perfect for indoor classroom play and allows everyone to participate at the same time. Kids love calling out “Bingo!” with seasonal flair.

• Use printable fall-themed bingo cards

• Provide candy corn or buttons as markers

• Let students take turns being the caller

• Include fun prizes like erasers or temporary tattoos

• Play multiple rounds with different win patterns

Mummy Wrap Challenge

This Halloween-inspired game is both funny and engaging. One student becomes the “mummy” while the others wrap them in toilet paper. It’s a team challenge that brings laughter and a little bit of silly chaos.

• Use soft, cheap toilet paper or white streamers

• Set a timer for 1-2 minutes per team

• Judge on neatness or creativity

• Have music playing in the background

• Take photos for a classroom display

Harvest Ring Toss

This carnival-style game fits right into the fall theme using mini hay bales or pumpkins as targets. Students toss rings and try to land them over stems or stakes. It’s fun, skill-based, and a great addition to party stations.

• Use glow stick rings or foam rings for tossing

• Label each pumpkin or target with different point values

• Let students take turns and track scores

• Add autumn decor to the setup for extra charm

• Give out small fall-themed prizes

DIY Thankful Tree

Let students reflect on what they’re grateful for by creating a classroom “Thankful Tree.” Each child writes something they’re thankful for on a paper leaf and adds it to the tree. It’s a heartwarming and meaningful group activity.

• Use a large paper tree on the wall or a branch in a pot

• Cut out colorful paper leaves ahead of time

• Provide pens, markers, and stickers for decorating

• Encourage thoughtful and positive messages

• Display the tree all season for everyone to enjoy

Apple Stacking Game

This balancing game challenges students to stack apples as high as they can without tipping them over. It sounds simple but quickly turns into a giggle-filled contest of patience and precision.

• Use medium-sized apples for better balance

• Do it on a flat surface like a desk or tray

• Set a time limit (e.g., 1 minute per try)

• Keep a leaderboard to track tallest stacks

• Let the winner pick a fall-themed pencil or prize

Costume Guess Who

If costumes are allowed, this is a great guessing game where students describe or act out someone else’s costume without naming it. It’s interactive, social, and a safe way to enjoy Halloween fun.

 

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• Make sure costumes are school-appropriate and inclusive

• Let kids use clues like job, colors, or hobbies

• Guessing can be done in small groups or full class

• Offer optional prizes for correct guesses

• Include a round with teacher costumes too

Pumpkin Spoon Race

A twist on the classic egg-and-spoon game, this version uses small pumpkins or pumpkin-shaped objects. Students race to the finish line while balancing the pumpkin. It’s light-hearted and perfect for outdoor or gym time.

 

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• Use mini foam pumpkins to avoid mess

• Mark clear start and finish lines

• Add obstacles for older kids to make it harder

• Play in teams or as individuals

• Have backups ready in case of dropped pumpkins

Autumn Obstacle Course

Set up a fall-themed obstacle course using hay bales, cones, tunnels, and more. It’s an excellent way for kids to burn energy while staying in the seasonal spirit.

• Use leaves, fake pumpkins, or scarecrows as markers

• Include jumping, crawling, tossing activities

• Keep it safe with clear rules and supervision

• Time each participant or have relay teams

• Hand out small medals or stickers at the end

Corn Kernel Estimation Game

Fill a jar with dried corn kernels and have students guess how many are inside. It’s a great mix of math and fun, and the guessing builds excitement throughout the party.

• Label the jar with a fall-themed tag

• Provide slips for students to write names and guesses

• Give a prize to the closest answer

• Announce the winner near the end of the party

• Include a quick lesson on estimation if time allows

Fall-Themed Charades

This drama-based game has kids acting out fall-themed words or phrases like “jumping in leaves” or “carving a pumpkin.” It’s energetic, funny, and boosts imagination.

• Prepare a list of age-appropriate fall terms

• Split the class into teams and take turns

• Use a timer for each round (30 seconds to 1 minute)

• Let kids make up their own actions

• Encourage laughter and applause for effort

Build a Scarecrow

In this hands-on group challenge, kids use old clothes, hay, and craft supplies to create their own scarecrow. It’s messy, creative, and brings the harvest theme to life.

• Bring in flannel shirts, pants, and straw or newspaper

• Let teams stuff and decorate their scarecrow

• Use buttons, paper eyes, and markers for the face

• Vote on the funniest, scariest, or most creative

• Take group photos with the finished scarecrows

Party Favors and Takeaways

Every fun fall party deserves a memorable send-off, and party favors are a great way to end on a high note. For 5th grade students, the best takeaways are simple, seasonal, and school-friendly. These small gifts not only bring smiles but also remind kids of the fun they had celebrating together. Here are some easy and thoughtful ideas to hand out at the end of your fall party:

• Mini pumpkins with name tags
  Give each student a small pumpkin with a cute tag featuring their name. These make great fall decorations and can also be used later for crafts or drawing faces at home.

• Fall bookmarks
  Create or buy bookmarks with autumn leaves, pumpkins, or scarecrow designs. They’re useful for school and add a cozy seasonal touch to reading time.

• Halloween pencils and erasers
  Hand out themed school supplies like pencils with ghosts or bats and erasers shaped like pumpkins or candy corn. They’re fun, practical, and budget-friendly.

• Candy-free treat bags
  Fill small bags with non-edible goodies like stickers, mini notepads, bubbles, or temporary tattoos. This is a great option for schools with allergy or food policies.

• Personalized thank-you notes
  Send students home with a note that thanks them for participating and adds a personal message. It could be handwritten or printed and signed by the teacher or party planner.

These favors don’t have to be fancy—they just need to be thoughtful and fun to keep the fall spirit going even after the party ends!

FAQ

What are some age-appropriate themes for a 5th grade fall party?

Great themes include Harvest Festival, Pumpkin Patch Party, Not-So-Spooky Halloween, Autumn Carnival, or Leaf & Nature Celebration. These themes are fun, festive, and safe for school settings.

Can we include Halloween activities in a school fall party?

It depends on your school’s policy. Some schools allow Halloween-themed games and costumes, while others prefer neutral fall or harvest themes. Always check with teachers or administrators first.

How long should a fall classroom party last for 5th graders?

A good party duration is 60 to 90 minutes. This allows time for games, crafts, snacks, and a short wrap-up without overwhelming students or interrupting too much class time.

What are good non-food party favor ideas?

Non-food favors like fall bookmarks, pencils, erasers, stickers, mini pumpkins, or bubbles are great. They’re fun, allergy-friendly, and easy to pack in backpacks.