8 Fall Adventures in Calgary Your Kids Will Love

Your Calgary fall adventure starts here

“What should we do with the kids this weekend?” This fall, the answer could be a pumpkin they picked themselves, a flashlight adventure through a corn maze or a forest walk full of beaver clues.

We've gathered eight Calgary-area outings to help you find a plan that fits your family. Go big with a farm day, keep it short with a nature walk, or let the kids choose. Use the map to compare locations and find your next family outing.

Open fall map →

Seasonal outings: pumpkins, farm animals and Halloween fun

1. Find your pumpkin at Butterfield Acres

Photo: Butterfield Acres

If your child loves animals, start with Butterfield Acres' Harvest Pumpkin Fest. Alongside pumpkin shopping and fall photo spots, families can visit the farm animals and take a tractor-pulled wagon ride through Scarecrow Alley. Morning tickets offer an optional pumpkin hunt for little pumpkin pickers.

When: October 3–31, 2026, on the listed weekend festival dates.
Admission: Adults $19.99 and walking children through age 17 $16.99, plus GST. Pumpkins and optional activities may cost extra; admission is by dated ticket.

Choose your session before heading out, especially if you want the morning pumpkin hunt.

View on map → Official info & tickets ↗

2. Explore a corn maze at Calgary Farmyard

Photo: Calgary Farmyard

For a bigger outing, Calgary Farmyard combines pumpkins, a corn maze, wagon rides and farm animals with plenty of places to play. Let the kids choose a few favourites rather than trying to fit everything in.

Want to stay out after dark? Harvest Lights runs on Friday and Saturday evenings, with illuminated attractions and a dark corn maze for a flashlight challenge. Pack a flashlight if that's part of your plan.

When: Fall Days runs Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from September 11; check the booking calendar for your October visit.
Admission: Online day passes are $25.95 plus GST for ages 3 and up; ages 2 and under are free.

View on map → Official info & tickets ↗

3. Mix animal encounters with PumpkinPalooza at Cobb's

Photo: Cobb's Adventure Park

Cobb's Adventure Park is another option for children who enjoy animals and active outdoor play. Its animal experiences, pedal carts, giant slide and outdoor games give families several ways to spend the day. In October, PumpkinPalooza is included with day-pass purchases on Saturdays, Sundays and Thanksgiving Monday.

When: Fall opening continues through October 25, 2026: Friday–Sunday and Thanksgiving Monday, 11 AM–5 PM.
Admission: Online tickets are $21.95, with taxes and fees extra; children 2 and under are free.

View on map → Official info & tickets ↗

4. Wear a costume to Calaway Park

Photo: Calaway Park

Give the costumes an early outing at Calaway Park's Halloweekends. Hallotown has family-friendly Halloween scenes and photo opportunities, alongside the park's rides. Children and adults are welcome to dress up within the park's costume rules.

When: Remaining fall opening days are Saturdays, Sundays and Thanksgiving Monday through October 12, 2026, from 11 AM–5 PM.

The parade is weather-dependent and does not run on October 4 or October 12, so check the schedule if it's a highlight for your family.

View on map → Official info & tickets ↗

More fall places →

Trails: little discoveries, big fresh-air moments

A fall outing can be as simple as a walk and a snack stop. These city routes give children something to look for along the way. Distances below refer to the City's self-guided walks; you can choose a shorter visit to suit your family. Autumn colours and wildlife sightings vary with the weather and timing.

5. Look for beaver clues at Carburn Park

Photo: City of Calgary

Self-guided walk: About 1.7 km, in southeast Calgary.

Carburn Park's ponds, trees and Bow River views make a lovely setting for an unhurried walk. Look for the beaver lodge and notice the wire mesh protecting many of the trees. Ask your child why a beaver might need wood, then pause to watch birds around the water.

View on map → City walking tour ↗

6. Follow the water at Dale Hodges Park

Photo: City of Calgary

Self-guided walk: About 3 km, in northwest Calgary.

At Dale Hodges Park, a walk becomes a chance to discover how wetlands help clean stormwater before it returns to the Bow River. Explore the ponds, marshes and river viewpoints, and invite your child to notice where the water goes. It's a good choice when your family feels like a longer wander with something new to learn.

View on map → City walking tour ↗

7. Take a forest walk at Griffith Woods

Photo: City of Calgary

Self-guided walk: About 4.5 km, excluding bonus stops, in southwest Calgary.

Griffith Woods offers a forest setting beside the Elbow River, with flat trails and plenty to notice. The main self-guided tour stops are on paved, wheelchair-accessible pathways, making that route a useful starting point for families bringing a stroller. The bonus stops use different terrain.

You don't need to finish the whole tour. Choose a few stops, look for signs of beaver activity and turn back when your little walkers have had enough.

View on map → City walking tour ↗

8. Try a quiet birdwatching walk in Inglewood

Photo: City of Calgary

Self-guided walk: About 1.5 km, starting behind the Nature Centre.

Inglewood Bird Sanctuary is a lovely choice for a short outing with curious children. Cross the little bridge, look for nests from the pathway and pause to listen before moving on. Bring binoculars if you have them, or simply see how many different bird sounds your family can hear.

View on map → City walking tour ↗

Explore all trails →

Make your fall plan easy

Pick one outing that suits your family's energy: a pumpkin visit, a day of rides or a short walk with time to stop. Bring layers, comfortable shoes, water and snacks. Check attraction calendars and current trail conditions before leaving.

On nature walks, stay on designated paths, give wildlife space and leave plants and natural materials where you find them. Turn leaf spotting into a colour hunt or a photo game instead of collecting leaves.

Need another idea? See upcoming family events →

Seasonal details checked September 30, 2026. Opening dates, prices and activities can change; follow the official links when planning your visit.