Believe it or not, there once was a time when we didn’t instinctively reach for our phones the second we had a free moment. We flipped through magazines, journaled or doodled, and spent aimless afternoons outside. We enjoyed a slew of screen-free activities before “screen-free” was even part of our vocabulary.
With back-to-school energy in the air, fall is the perfect time to bring analog hobbies back. We’re talking browsing library shelves, doing paper crosswords, recreating the magic of sleepovers, and nostalgic group hangs at the bowling alley. Read on for 25 analog hobbies that will inspire you to leave your phone at home this fall.
1. Go on a scenic drive with a burned CD-inspired playlist
Gone are the days of downloading songs on LimeWire and burning a CD for your crush, but that doesn’t mean you can’t replicate that curated experience with a Spotify playlist. The only catch? You have to stick to a 15-song limit, like the old days. Create the perfect mix and head out for an aimless drive where you can admire the changing colors. Bonus: Make a playlist for a friend and have them do the same, then take turns listening all the way through.
2. Make a time capsule to open next fall
It’s crazy how much can change in a year. Fill a shoe box with a few of your favorite things (think: your latest five-star read or a photo of a recent happy memory) and a letter to yourself to capture what your life looks like this fall. Then, stuff it away in your closet. When you open it this time next year, take stock of how your life has changed—and give yourself some credit for how far you’ve come.
3. Do a clothing swap with friends
It can be tempting to buy a new fall wardrobe, but before you fill up your online cart, try shopping your friends’ closets instead. Have everyone clean out the sweaters, jackets, jeans, and accessories they no longer wear, then get together and trade. You’ll get the dopamine hit of adding something new to your closet without spending a dime.
4. Browse a bookstore with a friend and pick a fall read for each other
There’s something about fall that makes curling up with a good book even more appealing than normal. Hit up a bookstore with your fellow bookworm bestie, go your separate ways, and select a read that they wouldn’t normally pick for themselves. Think: cozy, spooky, or mysterious. You may just find your new favorite thriller.
5. Start a recipe box with your favorite fall recipes
One of the best parts of fall is eating cozy soups, pastas, and homemade bread. Start a recipe box with all the dishes you look forward to making once the temperature drops. Plus, ask friends and family to contribute their favorite fall recipes in their own handwriting. Over time, you’ll have a collection that’s much more meaningful than a Pinterest board filled with recipes you never actually make.
6. DIY your Halloween costume
The ’90s and ’00s were all about homemade Halloween costumes. Bring back some of that nostalgia and challenge yourself to DIY your costume instead of buying one online this year. Stuck on what to dress up as? Here’s our list of the best Halloween costumes for 2026.
7. Go bowling on a rainy fall day
Fall weather isn’t always crisp, sunny, and perfect for leaf-peeping. The next time a cold, rainy Saturday ruins your outdoor plans, grab some friends or your S.O. and head to the bowling alley for some good clean fun. If you’re as competitive as me, you’ll probably get so into the game that you forget to check your phone.
8. Send someone a fall-themed care package
Whether your best friend moved across the country, your sister is away at college, or someone you love could simply use a pick-me-up, make their day with a care package. Fill a box with their favorite Halloween candy, fuzzy socks, a fall-scented candle, tea or hot cocoa, and a handwritten note. It’s a thoughtful gesture that shows you care and are thinking of them.
READ: All the Fall Essentials You Need for the Best Season Yet
9. Have a puzzle night
If you’re looking for screen-free activities for chilly fall nights at home, try breaking out an old-fashioned puzzle. Pick one with a festive fall or Halloween scene, light a candle, put on your favorite cozy playlist, and pour a mug of hot cider to sip while you work.
10. Write letters to your long-distance friends
Bring back the lost art form that is snail mail. Pick up some cute stationery and spend the afternoon writing to the friends you don’t get to see often enough. They’ll be pleasantly surprised when they find it in their mailbox, versus a bill or junk mail. It might be such a day-maker that it sparks a reoccurring pen pal situation.
11. Start a fall cookbook club
Book clubs are all the rage right now, but have you heard of cookbook clubs? It’s the same premise as a regular book club but with food at the center. To get started, pick a cookbook filled with cozy, seasonal recipes and have each person make a different dish to share.
12. Make a chunky knit blanket
Nothing says fall quite like curling up under a cozy blanket, so why not make your own this season? Pick up some chunky yarn in an autumnal color like burnt orange or chocolate brown. Then, search for a handknitting tutorial and challenge yourself to create something tangible. How satisfying will it be to cuddle up under the finished product?
13. Spend a chilly afternoon at the library
If you haven’t visited the library since elementary school, consider this your sign to go back on a gloomy fall day. Wander through the stacks without having a specific read in mind. Check out anything that catches your eye and leave with enough books to get you through the next few fall weekends.
14. Do the Sunday crossword puzzle in the newspaper
Sunday mornings are made for coffee and crossword puzzles. Instead of doing the daily crossword in the New York Times app, grab a physical newspaper or crossword book, settle into your comfiest chair, and see how far you can get without Googling the answers. Throw in a fall-flavored latte, and you’ve got yourself a picturesque autumn morning.
15. Break out a coloring book
Coloring books for adults are popular for good reason. The repetitive, calming, and creative nature of coloring is super satisfying, especially after a long day of staring at your computer. Grab a Halloween-themed coloring book and a fresh box of colored pencils, then spend the evening getting in touch with your artistic side while you listen to a podcast or catch up with friends.
16. Have a fall-themed ’90s sleepover
Remember the sleepovers from your childhood when you and your besties gushed about crushes, danced to CDs, and stayed up way past your bedtime? Those were the days. Recreate that magic with a fall twist by inviting the girls over, stocking up on Halloween candy, and playing board games (remember MASH?) before you snuggle into sleeping bags in the living room.
17. Create art from leaf rubbings
Fall is the perfect excuse to resurrect this tried-and-true elementary school art project. Collect a few leaves on your next walk, place them underneath sheets of paper, and rub crayons or colored pencils over the top to reveal their shapes and veins. Frame your favorites, turn them into cards, or simply enjoy doing something you probably haven’t thought about since you were eight years old.
18. DIY a paper chain countdown
Few things built anticipation as a kid as tearing one link off a paper chain countdown every day. Bring the tradition back by making your own to countdown to Halloween, Thanksgiving, or a fall trip. Construction paper, scissors, and a glue stick are all you need for an activity that’s delightfully low-tech.
19. Make a fall floral arrangement
Tap into your inner florist and create a fall-themed arrangement. Head to Trader Joe’s for some inexpensive seasonal flowers, branches, dried grasses, or whatever catches your eye. Then, experiment with arranging them in a vase you already own. Remember, there’s no right way or wrong way to do it, so just have fun and enjoy the fresh flowers on your table afterwards.
20. Make caramel apples from scratch
A caramel apple from a fall festival never gets old. Make your own at home with honey crisp apples, caramel sauce, and toppings like crushed cookies, chopped nuts, sprinkles, or chocolate. Invite friends over to create their own combinations, too. They may not turn out as picture-perfect as the apple orchard’s, but they’ll taste just as delicious.
21. Host a backyard field day
Looking for a way to make the most of the crisp fall weather before it’s freezing outside? Invite your friends over for the kind of field day you had as a kid. Choose teams and compete in three-legged races, tug-of-war, and cornhole. Bonus points if you come up with a fun prize for the winning team.
22. Try a fall scene paint-by-number
If you don’t consider yourself artistic but want to try your hand at something creative, paint-by-number is a great option for a rainy fall afternoon. Choose a seasonal design like a cozy cottage or something spooky, then mix up a fall cocktail and whip out your paintbrushes. It gives you all the satisfaction of painting without the pressure of creating your own design.
23. Paint your nails a fun fall color
Your closet gets an update for fall, so give your nail game a matching refresh. Pull out your nail polish collection and treat yourself to an at-home manicure in a deep burgundy, chocolate brown, or burnt orange shade.
READ: The 16 Best OPI Nail Polish Colors for Fall 2026
24. Have a backyard campout before it gets too cold
You don’t have to drive hours to the mountains to camp out. For a heavy dose of nostalgia, pitch a tent in your own backyard and pile it with sleeping bags and blankets. When the sun goes down, make s’mores and tell ghost stories around the bonfire.
25. DIY your Halloween decorations
Sometimes having perfectly curated Halloween décor is a little overrated. Mix things up by crafting your own decorations like construction paper bats, tissue paper ghosts, or painted pumpkins. You’ll feel proud to show off your one-of-a-kind decorations.
Images featured in graphics credited to: Mia Petkovic | Dupe, Dimple Baguley | Dupe, Juliana Dalla Costa | Dupe, Holli | Dupe, Candice Burr | Dupe, Mariah C | Dupe, Tiffany Giles | Dupe, Shelagh Murphy | Dupe, Michal | Adobe Stock, Karmin Baker | Dupe, Cora Pursley | Dupe
Christine Winder, Contributing Wellness Writer
Christine is a long-time reader turned contributing writer for the Everygirl. She has a BA in Communications from Roanoke College and lives with her two cats in Richmond, VA where she writes for several local publications.
