Fun Fall Family Activities You Can Enjoy by the Fire

Autumn is a special time of year—children go back to school, the holiday season begins, days get shorter, and nights get longer.

In those moments, lots of families want to soak up their last opportunities to spend time together outdoors before winter arrives or snuggle inside where it’s warm on chilly nights. Luckily, there’s no shortage of fun fall family activities that can be enjoyed together by the cozy warmth of a fireplace–and to help kickstart the season, we’ve compiled a short list of our favorites.

1. Marshmallow Roasting and S’mores

Roasting marshmallows and making s’mores is one of the most classic fall activities ever—no list would be complete without it! S’mores are a simple and fun snack to make with people of all ages–with the proper supervision, of course! One of the best parts of s’mores is their customizability, much like the outdoor living spaces created by AES. If an old-school graham cracker, chocolate, and marshmallow s’more is your thing, you might appreciate the classic vibes of Heat & Glo Montana with its traditional brick exterior. If you’re looking for a cool and modern twist on an old family favorite, maybe a wood-burning fireplace insert is more your style.

2. Storytelling

For the ultimate convenience, try one of our gas-burning fireplaces that have the look and sound of real flames. While these might not be ideal for s’mores, they are perfect for gathering around to tell spooky stories, recount old family stories, and make new memories. With the click of a switch and advanced features such as temperature control, you can create the perfect ambiance for curling up with a book by the fire or creating new stories of your own.

3. Board Games or Puzzle Night

Board games and puzzles are another ideal way to spend time together indoors during those first crisp fall evenings. Electric fireplaces have options for heat, lighting, and temperature control so that you can create an ideal atmosphere for your game night. Whether dealing out fun with UNO or jumping on board with Ticket to Ride, a night of fun is assured when accompanied by a fire’s warm glow.

4. Stargazing

On clear fall nights, stargazing can be a wonderful way to connect with your loved ones. Late summer to mid-fall is actually the best season for stargazing, which makes it a well-timed opportunity to spot constellations and wonder about our place in the universe. You might be interested in AES’s two-sided and indoor-outdoor fireplaces that help bring the majesty of the outdoors to the indoors and the comfort of the indoors onto your outdoor patio spaces.

Creating a cozy outdoor space is a great way to encourage family members and friends to spend time together as the summer season draws to a close.

Creating Cozy Fun with AES

AES Hearth & Patio is a premier resource for creating cozy spaces for your family to make memories in. We create indoor and outdoor spaces that are built for your families’ comfort and enjoyment. Contact us to start designing and building the firescape of your dreams or tour our showrooms in Newville or Camp Hill, PA to shop top brands.