10 Simple Ways to Supercharge Your Family Time This Autumn

Presented by OnePass

As the cooler months roll in and jumpers come out of hibernation, families across Australia are looking for meaningful ways to spend time together. The good news? You don’t need a whole day or a bunch of fancy plans. Just an hour or two is enough to create magic, laughter, and memories—whether your kiddos are toddling, teething, or trying to talk you into more screentime.

Catch the last of the warmth before winter begins and maximise time outside with these 10 fun, feel-good, and seasonally perfect ways to bond as a family this May and June (with baby-friendly tips woven in for those with the littlest bubs in tow!). Think you don’t have the time? Read on until the end to find out how OnePass can help you find that extra hour (or two) that you need.

1. Bushwalk & birdsong bingo

Lace up those sneakers and hit a local trail. Even a short bushwalk can be filled with wonder—crunchy leaves underfoot, kookaburra cackles overhead, and a scavenger hunt for feathers, fungi, or gum nuts. Make sure you have a tote bag handy for all of your nature finds.
For your bub: Strap baby into a carrier and narrate what you see—“Look at that red leaf!” “Hear that magpie?” It becomes a full-body sensory stroll for your mini explorer.

2. Backyard bonfire & damper night

As the chill sets in, warm up with a mini backyard bonfire (check your council regs first!). Wrap yourselves in blankets, toast marshmallows, and try your hand at traditional damper on a stick. Out of marshmallows? OnePass can have them (and some chocolate) delivered to your door for free or ready for pick-up at your local retailer.

Young girls enjoying a bonfire with marshmallows, one of the best autumn family activities
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For your bub: Create a cozy baby blanket bundle and let your little one feel the warmth (from a safe distance, of course), hear the crackle, and enjoy some gentle lullabies under the stars.

3. Board game & hot choc bash

Rainy afternoon? Perfect. Pull out the family faves—Uno, Candyland, or whatever sparks joy—and pair it with DIY hot chocolate stations. Bonus points for cozy pajamas.
For your bub: Set up a soft play area beside the games table with rattles or sensory toys, so baby feels included in the fun while older siblings get their game faces on.

4. Family bake-off (autumn edition)

Pick an in-season fruit—hello, apples, pears, or rhubarb—and bake together. Crumbles, muffins, or spiced cakes are perfect for little hands to help with. Use your OnePass membership to have all your ingredients ready for pick-up with Click and Collect.
For your bub: Give baby their own “mixing bowl” filled with measuring cups or wooden spoons. It’s edible-adjacent pretend play—drool optional but expected.

5. Park picnic with a twist

Even with crisp weather, a sunny mid-morning or arvo picnic can be dreamy. Pack thermoses of soup, warm wraps, or toasted sandwiches, and bring scooters or frisbees. And just because it doesn’t have grass, don’t rule out the beach for your spread.

Two babies eating bananas on a picnic blanket in the park, one of the best autumn family activities
iStock

For your bub: Lay out a cozy blanket for tummy time or gentle play under the trees. Bring a few high-contrast board books or soft toys, and enjoy the sights and sounds together.

6. Autumn leaf art session

Autumn is in the air and on the ground. Gather a pile of fallen leaves and get crafty—leaf rubbings, crowns, or mandalas on the lawn. Don’t have a rake? Pick one up and supercharge your savings with 5x FlyBuys points using your OnePass membership.
For your bub: Make a mini sensory bin with leaves, fabric, and pinecones (supervised, of course). Let baby squish, scrunch, and explore textures safely.

7. Stargazing & storytelling

Take a post-dinner stroll with torches, then lie on a picnic rug and look up. Learn a Southern Hemisphere constellation or make up your own stories. If you are in the Sydney area, check out the Vivid Light Festival; it’s out of this world.
For your bub: Wrap baby in a warm onesie and gently sway them as you tell star-inspired bedtime tales. The dark sky, your voice, and a little wonder? Pure magic.

8. Mini volunteering mission

Modern life is busier than ever, leaving people feeling exhausted and struggling to keep up. Spend an hour doing something kind together—writing letters to aged care residents, tidying a park, or just helping a neighbor. Flex that kindness muscle as a family.
For your bub: Include baby by narrating your actions: “We’re folding blankets for someone who needs warmth.” Even tiny ears benefit from kindness in action.

9. Indoor obstacle course Olympics

The Olympics are coming back to Oz, just maybe not how you remember. Use cushions, furniture, and masking tape to create an indoor obstacle course. Add silly challenges (crab-walks!) and declare everyone a winner.

A toddler doing an indoor obstacle course, one of the best autumn family activities
iStock

For your bub: Set up a mini soft play zone for baby alongside the chaos. Crawling through a tunnel? That’s their event in the Baby Games.

10. DIY movie matinée with Aussie classics

Did someone say family movie night? Turn the lounge into a cinema: paper tickets, popcorn cones, and family-friendly Aussie flicks like Bluey’s Big Play or Paper Planes. Order ahead with OnePass and have everything ready for showtime in no time.
For your bub: Make it a sensory screening! Snuggle under a blanket, dim the lights, and enjoy the movement, music, and cuddles—even if baby naps through half of it.

Need help finding that extra hour?

Whether your family is full of teens, toddlers, or teething babes, quality time doesn’t need to be complicated. With just a bit of intention, a warm jumper, and maybe a thermos or two, you can turn any hour into a moment worth remembering.

OnePass helps make the best autumn family activities faster and more fun

Get more value from the brands you shop. Free delivery on eligible items or orders, and Five Times Flybuys points, when you shop in-store or click and collect at big names like Kmart, Bunnings, Target & Officeworks. For a limited time, OnePass is only $20/year, usually $40, so you can spend less time shopping, meaning more of both for making quality memories that you can capture and safely share on Tinybeans.

*T&Cs, exclusions apply. OnePass $20 membership offer ends 11.59pm AEST 12 June 2025, unless extended. $40 per year thereafter unless cancelled. Offer not available to current OnePass members.