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Fall brings with itself a flurry of change. It is the time of crisp air, colorful leaves, and pumpkins. You are more likely to spend more time indoors than outdoors to prevent your toddler from catching a chill in the sharp wind.
However, staying indoors comes with its unique advantages. You would rather want to engage in fun activities with your children. Did you know, every falling leaf is an idea for a new activity.
Ready to try these fall activities for toddlers and preschoolers? From making pumpkin pie to leaf crafts, you will find everything here.
1. Leaf matching game
In this simple leaf matching game, toddlers have to match shapes using leaves traced on a sheet.
You will need:
- Leaves
- Marker
- Butcher paper
- Tape
Instructions:
- Trace the shape of each leaf on the butcher paper and then keep the leaves aside.
- Lay out the paper on the floor and secure it with tape.
- The children have to place each leaf in its right shape.
2. Fall leaf activity
This activity gives your children the opportunity to use their imagination and create a masterpiece.
You will need:
- Fall leaves
- Tempera paints
- Paintbrushes
- Paint tray
- Glue
Instructions:
- Give the children the fall leaves, paints and brushes, and glue.
- Now let them use their imagination, use the given tools, and design a masterpiece.
3. Fall music
Let the rustles and crunches of the fall leaves turn into music to your toddler’s ears.
You will need:
- Fallen leaves
- Bucket
- Large container
Instructions:
- Put the leaves in the bucket and let the child hold it firmly.
- The children can make different sounds with the leaves.
- Put some leaves in a bigger container.
- Now let the children dance on the leaves.
4. Playdough autumn tree
This is an easy activity that your toddler may enjoy doing.
You will need:
- Brown playdough
- Fallen leaves (you can also use faux leaves)
Instructions:
- Let your children walk around your backyard or block and collect the leaves.
- Use playdough to make a long, thick cylinder replicating the trunk of a tree.
- Make branches out of the playdough and attach them to the “trunk.”
- Now attach these leaves to the branches, resembling a tree.
5. Leaf faces
This fall activity requires a little preparation.
You will need:
- Fallen leaves
- Marker
Instructions:
- Draw emojis on each leaf.
- Let your child recognize these emotions and tell them out aloud.
- They can also draw their custom-made leaf emojis.
6. Fall leaf craft
This is another fall leaf activity that can engage your little ones.
You will need:
- Fall leaves
- White construction paper
- Crayons
- Glue stick
Instructions:
- Draw the outline of a tree on the construction paper.
- Apply glue to the leaves and stick them on the paper over the tree.
7. Marble painting
Try this fun fall activity for toddlers and preschoolers.
You will need:
- Few marbles
- Sheets of paper
- Acrylic paints in fall colors
- Tray
- Tape
Instructions:
- Paste a sheet of paper on the tray and secure it with tape.
- Squeeze out some paints directly onto the paper.
- Put in the marbles and let the children shake the tray.
- Once they are done, remove the paper and let the paint dry.
8. Apple tree
You cannot experience fall without including apples in your activities.
You will need:
- Construction papers in brown, dark green, and light green colors
- Red tissue paper
- Glue
- Pencil
Instructions:
- Trace the shape of a tree’s trunk with branches on the brown paper. Cut the shape out.
- Paste it on the white paper.
- Cut out leaves using green sheets of paper.
- Now, cut the red tissue paper, scrunch the little pieces, and stick them to the tree.
9. Leaf math activity
Nature is a powerful teacher, and there is so much your child can learn from her.
You will need:
Instructions:
- Go on a nature walk and collect leaves of different types.
- Using these leaves, you can perform various math activities such as comparing the leaves, arranging by shape or color, counting the leaves, and so on.
10. Apple or pumpkin painting
Apples and pumpkins are ideal for painting during the fall season.
You will need:
- Tempera paints
- Paintbrushes
- Apples or pumpkins
Instructions:
- Give your children some colors and brushes.
- Let them paint the apples or pumpkins in colors of their choice.
11. No-bake mini pumpkin pies
These no-bake mini pumpkin pies are toddler-approved!.
You will need:
- Pumpkin puree
- Brown sugar
- Cinnamon
- Heavy cream
- Eggs
- Cream of tartar
- Sugar
- Cream cheese
- Vanilla
- Mini marshmallows
- Ginger cookies
- Graham crackers
Instructions:
- Take the puree in a bowl and add brown sugar, cinnamon, and heavy cream to it. Mix them well.
- Mix the egg whites, cream of tartar, and sugar in a bowl and cook the mixture in a double boiler until the sugar dissolves.
- Whip the mixture until stiff.
- Now, combine the cream cheese and vanilla until the batter is smooth.
- Melt the marshmallows and add it to this mixture.
- Add the meringue to the marshmallow mixture in batches and fold.
- Refrigerate for an hour to let it set.
- Crumble the Graham crackers and ginger cookies together to make the crust mixture.
- Take a jar or a glass. Add 2 tbsp of crust to the bottom. Then add 2 tbsp of pumpkin pie mixture followed by 2 tbsp of the meringue mixture.
- Repeat the layers at least twice.
- Sprinkle the remaining crust on the top and serve. You can refrigerate and serve them at a later time.
12. Leaf monster
Make the funniest and most colorful monsters out of fall leaves.
You will need:
- Leaves
- Paints
- Googly eyes
- Glue
- Paintbrushes
Instructions:
-
Paint the leaves in colors of your choice.
- Stick googly eyes on them to make some cute monsters.
13. Roasting pumpkin seeds
You can dry and roast pumpkin seeds for this sensory fall activity with children.
You will need:
- Pumpkins
- Knife
- Salt
- Water
- Colander
Instructions:
- Cut a pumpkin open and scoop out all the seeds.
- Rinse the seeds thoroughly under running water.
- Soak these seeds in salt water for 8-24 hours.
- Drain and dry the seeds completely.
- Pop them into the oven at 350 degrees or roast them in a skillet over a stove.
14. Pinecone painting
This pinecone painting activity is sure to intrigue your little artist.
You will need:
- Pinecones
- Tempera paint
- Droppers
- Paintbrushes
Instructions:
- Give your child some paints and pinecones.
- Let them use paintbrushes and droppers to paint the pinecones in the colors of their choice.
15. Rolling acorn painting
This activity is similar to marble painting but with acorns.
You will need:
- Sheet of paper
- Tray
- Tape
- Marker
- Paints
- Acorns
Instructions:
- Draw a big acorn on the sheet of paper and stick it to the tray.
- Dip the acorns in different paints and put them on the tray.
- Now, tilt the tray to set these acorns rolling over the paper.
16. Leaf threading
Leaf threading is one of the best ways to improve a toddler’s fine motor skills.
You will need:
- Leaves
- Stick or twig
- Bucket
Instructions:
- Let the children roam in your backyard and collect leaves in a bucket.
- Thread the leaves through a stick or twig.
17. Footprint turkey painting
Thanksgiving is another exciting time when you can try fall activities with your little one.
You will need:
- Paints in brown, red, and orange colors
- Tray
- Paintbrushes
- Sheet of paper
- Feathers (real or fake)
- Googly eyes
- Glue dots
Instructions:
- Pour some brown paint on the tray.
- Have your child dip their foot in the paint and imprint on a sheet of paper.
- After the paint dries, stick the googly eyes on the heel part of the print.
- Paint the orange beak and the red wattle.
- Stick the feathers on the outside and around the heel.
18. Pumpkin ring toss
This activity can help your child improve their hand-eye coordination.
You will need:
- Pumpkins in different sizes
- Sheets of paper
- Glue
- Stickers, marker, other decorative items
Instructions:
- Decorate the sheets of paper in any way they want.
- Cut 2-inch-wide strips from the sheets and stick the ends together, forming rings.
- Place the pumpkins on a table with the stem on top.
- Let the children stand at a distance and toss the paper rings on the pumpkins.
19. Harvest sensory bin
As toddlers enjoy exploring, this activity will be an instant hit with them.
You will need:
- Plastic bin with lid
- Dry corn
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mini tongs
- Cloth leaves
- Acorns
- Pinecones
Instructions:
- Pour the dry corn into a plastic bin.
- Put in some cloth leaves, acorns, and pinecones in the bin and shake it well so that the items are buried.
- Let the children scoop out the corn with their hands and find the hidden items.
20. Apple printing
Let’s get messy enjoying this activity.
You will need:
- Apples
- Sheets of paper
- Paints
- Paper plates
- Knife
Instructions:
- Pour paints on different plates.
- Cut the apples in half.
- Dip the cut surface of the apple in the paint and print on the paper.
- You can also cut the apples in various shapes to make it more creative.
21. Froot loops trees
If you have some leftover Froot loops, you can use them to make colorful trees.
You will need:
- Froot loops
- Glue
- White paper
- Toilet paper roll
- Scissors
Instructions:
- Cut the white paper in the shapes of leaves and branches. Now, attach these branches to one end of the toilet paper roll.
- Hang the Froot loops from the branches, resembling fruits.
22. Fall tree matching
This is a simple activity you can do in the fall season with your children.
You will need:
- Sheet of paper
- Marker
- Leaves
Instructions:
- Draw a tree on paper and write letters on the end of the branches.
- Write the same letters on the leaves.
- Let your child place the leaves next to the corresponding letter on the tree.
