As the weather cools and the leaves begin to change, fall becomes the perfect season for hands-on, family-friendly fun! From colorful leaf piles to pumpkin-scented playdough, there are endless ways to celebrate autumn with your little ones.
At Today’s Kids Childcare, we love helping parents find creative ways to encourage learning through play—and fall is full of opportunities to do just that.
Here are 10 fun fall activities for toddlers and preschoolers that promote creativity, fine motor skills, and sensory exploration—all while making cozy seasonal memories together.
🍁 1. Leaf Collage Craft
Take your child on a nature walk to collect leaves in different colors, shapes, and sizes. Once home, give them glue, construction paper, and crayons to create a beautiful fall leaf collage. This activity helps develop fine motor coordination and introduces concepts like color recognition, sorting, and patterns.
🧺 2. Autumn Sensory Bin
Create a fall sensory bin using dried corn kernels, pinecones, mini pumpkins, and cinnamon sticks. Add scoops, measuring cups, and small toys for endless tactile fun. Sensory play helps toddlers explore textures and builds hand-eye coordination—all while strengthening early STEM skills like pouring and measuring.
🎃 3. Pumpkin Painting
Instead of carving pumpkins, let little ones paint them! Provide washable paint, stickers, and googly eyes for decorating. It’s a safe and mess-friendly alternative that encourages self-expression and creativity.
🍎 4. Apple Stamping Art
Slice apples in half, dip them in paint, and stamp them onto paper for adorable apple prints. You can even sprinkle cinnamon on the wet paint for a delightful scent. This simple craft introduces shapes, patterns, and sensory learning.
🌾 5. Nature Scavenger Hunt
Turn outdoor exploration into a game! Create a scavenger hunt checklist of fall items—like acorns, red leaves, pinecones, and seed pods. Bring a basket and have your toddler collect them during a family walk. This activity builds observation skills, vocabulary, and a love for nature.
🍪 6. Bake Fall Treats Together
Get little hands involved in baking! Let your child help mix pumpkin muffins, stir apple crisp filling, or roll out cookie dough. Cooking together teaches basic math, measurement, and teamwork. Plus, it fills your home with delicious fall aromas!
🍂 7. Fall Storytime
Cuddle up with cozy blankets and read fall-themed books like Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert or We’re Going on a Leaf Hunt by Steve Metzger. Reading aloud strengthens language development and comprehension skills, while seasonal stories help children connect what they see outdoors with what they hear in books.
🧡 8. Pumpkin Patch Counting
If you visit a pumpkin patch, turn it into a learning experience! Count pumpkins, compare sizes, and discuss colors. Ask open-ended questions like, “Which pumpkin is the biggest?” or “How many orange pumpkins can we find?” This turns an everyday outing into a fun math lesson.
🖐️ 9. Fall Playdough Fun
Make homemade pumpkin spice playdough by mixing flour, salt, cream of tartar, food coloring, and pumpkin pie spice. Add cookie cutters shaped like leaves or acorns for extra fun. Playdough promotes fine motor strength, imagination, and sensory engagement.
🌧️ 10. Jump in Leaf Piles
Sometimes the simplest activity is the most joyful! Raking and jumping in leaf piles provide excellent gross motor exercise, laughter, and sensory stimulation. It’s also a great way to introduce your child to teamwork and taking turns.
🍎 Bringing Fall Learning Home
At Today’s Kids Childcare, we believe every season is an opportunity to learn through play. Fall offers countless ways to strengthen curiosity and connection—whether your child is collecting acorns, reading autumn books, or exploring nature’s colors. These fun fall activities for toddlers and preschoolers help children build creativity, problem-solving skills, and family bonds—all while celebrating the beauty of the season.
So grab a cozy sweater, step outside, and make this fall full of laughter, learning, and unforgettable moments!