Crisp mornings, cozy nights, and all the pumpkin-spiced everything—fall is here, and we’ve rounded up the best family-friendly ways to make the season magical around McKinney, Frisco, and nearby communities. Bookmark this guide and check back often—we’ll keep adding new events and specials all season long!
Quick Links
- McKinney Event Calendar: mckinney.macaronikid.com
- Frisco Event Calendar: frisco.macaronikid.com
- Get our free weekly newsletter so you never miss local FUN: McKinney Edition \ Frisco Edition
- Want your business or event featured? Email us: lauralui@macaronikid.com
- Pumpkin Patches and Photo Ops
- Wander the patch, snap the family photo, let littles pick their perfect pumpkin. Look for hayrides, corn pits, mini mazes, and weekend food trucks. Pro tip: Arrive early for softer light and shorter lines.
- Local tip: Many patches open late September—confirm hours and ticket details on our calendar before you go.
- Resources: Pumpkin Patches Mckinney / Pumpkin Patches Frisco
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- Fall Festivals and Markets
- From harvest fairs to artisan markets, weekends are packed with live music, games, and seasonal bites. Bring a tote for goodies and small bills for kid activities.
- Parent pick: Check for “sensory-friendly” hours and wristband deals listed in our event descriptions.
- Resources: Mckinney Halloween Events / Frisco Halloween Events, McKinney Fall Events / Frisco Fall Events
- Trick-or-Treat Trails and Trunk-or-Treats
- Safe, candy-filled fun with decorated cars, costume contests, and music. Great for younger kiddos who tap out early on Halloween night.
- Pro tip: Bring a glow stick or clip-on light for visibility.
- Resources: Mckinney Trunk or Treats / Frisco Trunk or Treats
- Leaf-Peeping and Park Picnics
- We may be in Texas, but we still get those gorgeous golds and reds. Pack a blanket, a thermos of cocoa, and a football. Bonus: playgrounds burn off the sugar rush.
- Corn Mazes and Hayrides
- Challenge bigger kids with the full maze or choose a mini-maze for toddlers. Evening flashlight mazes sell out fast—book ahead.
- Resources: The Big Orange Pumpkin Farm, Preston Trail Farms, 5G Farm
- Friday Night Lights
- Cheer on local teams and enjoy the marching bands and concession stand classics. Check school calendars for themed nights—costumes, pink-out, and community spotlights.
- Resources: Mckinney Football Scehdule / Frisco Football Schedule
- Cozy Storytimes and Library Events
- Libraries go big in fall with crafts, read-alongs, and author visits. Many require free registration—snag your spots early.
- Resources: McKinney Library Events / Frisco Library Events
 Frisco Library's Robotics |
8. Family Hikes and Nature Scavenger Hunts
- Cooler temps = perfect trails. Print or screenshot our fall scavenger list: acorn, red leaf, feather, spiderweb (from a safe distance!), seed pod, bird call, heart-shaped rock, Y-shaped stick. First to five gets the last pumpkin cookie.
- Resources: Mckinney Hikes / Frisco Nature Adventures
- DIY S’mores Night at Home
- Create a backyard s’mores bar: classic, cookies-and-cream, and caramel apple slices with cinnamon sugar. Add campfire stories or a short fall movie under a blanket fort.
- Farmers Markets + Fall Flavors
- Apples, squash, pecans—oh my. Let kids pick one new-to-them ingredient and help cook dinner. Find market days and seasonal pop-ups on our calendars.
- Resources: Mckinney Farmers Markets / Frisco Markets
- Haunted (But Not Too Haunted) Fun
- Look for “family friendly” or “lights-on” hours for haunted houses and ghost tours. Read age suggestions in our listings.
- Macaroni KID will be hosting a trunk or treat and Haunted house at The Stix Icehouse on October 30th 6 - 9pm. There will be lots of fun for kids of all ages including a not-so-spooky sensory tent,
- Costume Swaps and Budget Hacks
- Host a neighborhood costume swap or check local community swaps on our calendar. Tip: Create a dress-up bin for year-round pretend play. (We especially love this!)
- Backyard Game Night
- Pumpkin bowling (use water bottles as pins), ring toss on a pumpkin stem, leaf pile relay. Winner chooses the next weekend adventure.
- Community Give-Back Ideas
- Assemble fall care kits (socks, snacks, notes) or donate gently used coats. Many drives kick off in October—find local drop sites on our calendars.
- Fall Photo Checklist
- Capture these: jumping in leaves, hand-in-hand on a trail, hot cocoa cheers, jack-o’-lantern lineup, Friday night lights, silly scarecrow pose.
- Rainy-Day Rescue Plan
- Keep a “boredom basket”: puzzles, craft kits, blank cards for surprise-grandparent mail, and a family reading challenge.....and of course check out Macaroni KID's Printables, recipes and crafts!
- Teen-Friendly Night Out
- Mini golf glow nights, escape rooms, bowling leagues, and late-afternoon coffee/hot chocolate stops. Let teens co-plan the route—buy-in = smiles.
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- STEM Pumpkin Lab
- Try pumpkin volcanoes (baking soda + vinegar), seed-count estimation, or floating pumpkins in a sink for a buoyancy experiment.
- Resources: Pumpkin Science Experiments, Leaf Crafts for Kids
- Fall Sports Samplers
- Many gyms and studios run trial classes this season—soccer, dance, ninja, and more. Check our Business Directory and calendar for specials.
- Pet-Friendly Outings
- Dog-friendly patios, costume contests, and pup parades are popping up. Always peek at pet policies in event details.
- Resources: Pet friendly Mckinney
- Backyard Movie Night
- Project a family fave, lay out sleeping bags, and serve “popcorn three ways” (classic, kettle, cheddar). Invite neighbors—instant community.
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- Art Walks and Hands-On Make & Take
- Hunt murals for a colorful photo trail. Pop into workshop nights—kids love clay pumpkins and leaf rubbings.
- Resources: McKinney Crafts / Frisco Crafts
- Parent Date Ideas
- Sunrise coffee walk, fall patio dinner, or a paint-and-sip. Babysitter tip: swap with another family so everyone gets a turn.
- Resources: Date Night Ideas
- Holiday Prep, Low Stress
- Start early on teacher gifts and holiday cards. Use our local photographer specials and mini-session listings to save time and money.
- Tip: Keep a lookout for MAcaroni KID"s popular holiday photo mini session giveaways!
- Save-For-Later Essentials
- Keep a car kit: blankets, spare hoodies, snacks, wipes, and an extra tote for market hauls and festival trinkets.
Local Planning Notes
- New events are added daily. Always check our McKinney and Frisco calendars right before you go for weather changes, ticket links, and updates.
- Some events sell out—set reminders to grab tickets when listings go live.
Want Your Event Featured? We love supporting local, family-friendly businesses. Sponsored listings and packages start at just $300 for a 3‑month campaign and include promotion across our site, newsletter, and social. Email us to get started: lauralui@macaronikid.com.
