There’s something magical about the first hints of fall.
Cooler mornings, changing leaves, cozy blankets, and the return of comforting routines all make this season feel extra special.
Whatever fall looks like for you, I’m so happy you’re here—welcome back!
A Fresh Season at Whole Heartily
Whole Heartily is all about finding joy in simple, meaningful moments—whether that’s a thrifted treasure, a family movie night, a good book, or a cozy tradition.
This fall, I’m excited to share even more of that with you.
You can look forward to:
🍂 Thrifted treasures and vintage finds
📚 Family-friendly books, movies, and games
🎨 Simple seasonal crafts and activities
💛 Cozy ideas for slowing down and enjoying home life
💰 Tips for secondhand shopping and saving money
Whether you love thrifting, reading, collecting, or just making life a little cozier, I hope you’ll find something here to enjoy each week.
Why Secondhand Treasures Matter
One of my favorite things is giving forgotten items a second life.
A vintage toy, a well-loved book, or a classic board game often comes with a story—and the chance to create new memories with a new family.
Shopping secondhand is not only budget-friendly, it also helps reduce waste and keeps beautiful things in circulation.
There’s something really special about finding the right treasure for the right home.
What’s Coming This Fall
This season will be full of cozy inspiration, including:
Thrifting tips and hidden gems to watch for
Nostalgic toys and collectibles
Family movie night ideas
Cozy fall reading picks
Simple seasonal crafts
Holiday traditions and decorating ideas
I can’t wait to share it all with you.
A Little About Me
If you’re new here—welcome!
I’m Melissa, the heart behind Whole Heartily: wife, mom, treasure hunter, and lover of all things cozy and nostalgic.
I spend my time finding secondhand treasures, refreshing them, and sharing ideas for simple family fun, affordable living, and meaningful everyday moments.
My hope is that this space helps you slow down, enjoy the little things, and find joy in the season you’re in.
Let’s Enjoy the Season Together
Thank you so much for being here.
Whether you’ve been following along for a while or just found Whole Heartily, I’m truly glad you’re here.
So grab a warm drink, get cozy, and let’s enjoy a season full of simple joys, thrifted treasures, and family fun.
As the leaves turn golden and the air gets crisp, there’s something magical about fall. It’s a season made for warm drinks, fuzzy socks, and quiet moments together—and what better way to enjoy those moments than with a video game that captures the spirit of autumn?
Whether you’re cuddling up for a cozy family night or looking for screen-time that celebrates the season, these fall-themed video games offer gentle gameplay, cozy settings, and just the right amount of challenge for kids and grown-ups alike.
Here are our favorite family-friendly fall games that bring all the pumpkin-spiced vibes—without stepping on a single crunchy leaf.
1. Animal Crossing: New Horizons
System: Nintendo Switch Ages: 5+ Why it’s great: This beloved life-simulation game is at its coziest in the fall. Harvest pumpkins, craft seasonal DIYs, rake leaves, and celebrate Halloween and Thanksgiving-style events. No rush, no pressure—just peaceful island life.
Fall feature: The whole month of October includes spooky decorations, costumes, and candy collecting.
2. Stardew Valley
System: PC, Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, Mobile Ages: 10+ Why it’s great: Farm, fish, mine, and make friends in this wholesome, open-ended farming game. Each in-game season brings its own charm, and fall is especially lovely with its deep colors, harvest festivals, and cozy atmosphere.
Perfect for: Kids who love creativity and parents who love peaceful gameplay.
3. A Short Hike
System: Switch, PC, PlayStation, Xbox Ages: 8+ Why it’s great: This bite-sized adventure game follows a young bird hiking through autumn-colored forests to reach a mountain summit. It’s relaxing, heartwarming, and full of small, joyful moments.
Fall vibes: The music, colors, and gentle exploration feel like a walk through a quiet forest on a cool day.
4. Luigi’s Mansion 3
System: Nintendo Switch Ages: 7+ Why it’s great: What’s fall without a little spooky fun? In this light-hearted ghost-hunting game, Luigi explores a haunted hotel to rescue his friends. It’s funny, clever, and packed with puzzles perfect for family teamwork.
Not-too-scary factor: Silly ghosts and cartoon-style humor make it fun, not frightening.
5. Cozy Grove
System: Switch, PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Mobile Ages: 10+ Why it’s great: A spiritual cousin to Animal Crossing, this game places you on a haunted—but heartwarming—island where you help ghostly creatures find peace. The hand-drawn art and seasonal changes make fall especially beautiful.
Why it’s cozy: It encourages daily play in short bursts, with gentle music and calming tasks.
6. Yoshi’s Crafted World
System: Nintendo Switch Ages: 5+ Why it’s great: Not fall-specific, but its warm, earthy visuals and handcrafted environments give off major autumn vibes. Kids will love guiding Yoshi through cardboard forests, yarn-wrapped hills, and paper-leaf paths.
Great for co-op: Two players can team up for extra fun and less frustration.
7. Spiritfarer
System: Switch, PC, PlayStation, Xbox Ages: 10+ Why it’s great: A beautiful and thoughtful game about helping spirits move on—while farming, cooking, and exploring in a world that often feels like eternal fall. It’s touching, gentle, and a great conversation starter for older kids.
Warning: While very peaceful, the game touches on deeper themes like loss and letting go—best for tweens and up.
8. Harvest Moon: One World
System: Switch, PlayStation, Xbox Ages: 7+ Why it’s great: This farming simulator has you traveling through various climates and regions, including autumn-inspired landscapes. Kids can grow crops, raise animals, and explore a vibrant, friendly world.
Classic appeal: Fans of older Harvest Moon games will love the return to familiar rhythms.
9. Pikmin 4
System: Nintendo Switch Ages: 7+ Why it’s great: Explore earthy, garden-like worlds full of leaves, acorns, and natural treasures. Pikmin games blend strategy and adventure, and the latest version includes easier controls and adorable helpers.
Fall feeling: The nature-based setting, changing light, and organic textures make it feel like autumn in motion.
10. Minecraft (with Fall or Nature Mods/Packs)
System: All major platforms Ages: 6+ Why it’s great: With endless customization, Minecraft becomes the ultimate fall game when you add seasonal texture packs or explore autumn-themed maps. Build pumpkin patches, haunted houses, or cozy cabins together as a family.
Idea: Set up a family “fall build challenge” with themes like campfires, forests, or corn mazes!
Final Thoughts
Fall is about slowing down, getting cozy, and enjoying the simple joys of the season—and these video games capture that spirit beautifully. Whether you’re farming pumpkins, solving puzzles in a spooky mansion, or simply exploring a golden forest, these games offer more than entertainment—they offer connection.
So grab a blanket, sip some cider, and start a new fall family tradition—with a controller in hand and autumn in the air.
Have you ever been undecided on what to play next?
Should you buy that game? Should you install that game?
I’ve been there, and sometimes you just need to take a look at the graphics, hear the music, and learn a little about the plot to see if it resonates with you before taking the next step. I’m here to help! I am creating the first 30 to the first 60 minute videos of games; indie and mainstream, new and old!
This week let’s take a look at the first 30 minutes of Cat Quest II…
Have you ever been undecided on what to play next?
Should you buy that game? Should you install that game?
I’ve been there, and sometimes you just need to take a look at the graphics, hear the music, and learn a little about the plot to see if it resonates with you before taking the next step. I’m here to help! I am creating the first 30 to the first 60 minute videos of games; indie and mainstream, new and old!
This week let’s take a look at the first 30 minutes of Cat Quest…
Have you ever been undecided on what to play next?
Should you buy that game? Should you install that game?
I’ve been there, and sometimes you just need to take a look at the graphics, hear the music, and learn a little about the plot to see if it resonates with you before taking the next step. I’m here to help! I am creating the first 30 to the first 60 minute videos of games; indie and mainstream, new and old!
This week let’s take a look at the first 30 minutes of Stray…
Have you ever been undecided on what to play next?
Should you buy that game? Should you install that game?
I’ve been there, and sometimes you just need to take a look at the graphics, hear the music, and learn a little about the plot to see if it resonates with you before taking the next step. I’m here to help! I am creating the first 30 to the first 60 minute videos of games; indie and mainstream, new and old!
This week let’s take a look at the first 60 minutes of Hello Kitty Island Adventure…
Have you ever been undecided on what to play next?
Should you buy that game? Should you install that game?
I’ve been there, and sometimes you just need to take a look at the graphics, hear the music, and learn a little about the plot to see if it resonates with you before taking the next step. I’m here to help! I am creating the first 30 to the first 60 minute videos of games; indie and mainstream, new and old!
This week let’s take a look at the first 30 minutes of LEGO Horizon Adventures…
Have you ever been undecided on what to play next?
Should you buy that game? Should you install that game?
I’ve been there, and sometimes you just need to take a look at the graphics, hear the music, and learn a little about the plot to see if it resonates with you before taking the next step. I’m here to help! I am creating the first 30 to the first 60 minute videos of games; indie and mainstream, new and old!
This week let’s take a look at the first 30 minutes of Concrete Genie…
Welcome back friends! Do you crochet? I dabbled in crochet off and on for a few years, always fascinated, but never fully catching on. I kept at it, and suddenly, it clicked! I feel calm and cozy when I’m crocheting, and fiercely proud whenever I complete a project.
It’s that time of year for keeping warm! Whether you’d like to create a ear-warmer headband for yourself or to gift to a friend, I’m here to help!
This headband is cozy, classic and ideal for any level of crocheter (beginners included)! Any bulky size 5 yarn can be used in this pattern.
SUPPLIES
Crochet hook (size 6mm)
Yarn (size 5)
Scissors
Yarn needle
INSTRUCTIONS
Create a slip knot and then 64 chain stitches. The chain number may vary a bit depending on the head size you are creating the headband for. If possible, hold the chain around your head or theirs to measure.
Turn your chain around and half double crochet (hdc) into the back loop of the second stitch from the hook, then continue to hdc in the back loops of each stitch all the way across your chain.
Turn your work. Insert your hook under both loops of the first stitch, yarn over and pull through. Then insert your hook behind the second vertical loop of the stitch you just created, yarn over and pull through. This create a smoother/ straighter finish along the sides of the project.
In the next stitch, hdc into the back loop and then continue to hdc in the back loops of each stitch all the way across your project.
Repeat steps 3 and 4 for the next 8 rows for a total of 9 hdc rows. You are welcome increase or decrease the amount of rows if you’d prefer a thinner or wider headband.
After the last hdc of your last row, use the scissors to disconnect the yarn from the skein and pull the loose in through your crochet loop, leaving a good length to sew the headband together.
Taking each end of the project, pinch the corners in towards each other to create a C and a backwards C, then bring the C’s together to interlink. Using a yarn needle, stitch the remaining yarn back and forth through all 4 layers of the interlinked ends.
Turn the headband right-side out and there’s your twist!
Have you ever been undecided on what to play next?
Should you buy that game? Should you install that game?
I’ve been there, and sometimes you just need to take a look at the graphics, hear the music, and learn a little about the plot to see if it resonates with you before taking the next step. I’m here to help! I am creating the first 30 to the first 60 minute videos of games; indie and mainstream, new and old!
This week let’s take a look at the first 60 minutes of The Plucky Squire…
Whole Heartily 