The change of seasons from summer to fall is a colorful and special time of year. The colorful leaves on the trees and the ground, the crisp air, seasonal apples, and decorative pumpkins all inspire curiosity and playful learning.
In this article, you’ll find autumn-inspired activity ideas to enjoy with young children, as well as a selection of children’s books that celebrate Fall.
Here’s an activity that is fun for all ages, requires minimal materials, and combines nature and art. We found this activity on the website of Tinkerlab, an organization that offers children’s activities that inspire creativity and experimentation.
Click here for a printable PDF with a detailed breakdown of this project, including the supplies that you’ll need, and even some ideas for prompts to inspire children’s creativity.
Image and project idea from Glued to my Crafts Table
Image and project idea from Shelterness
Carving pumpkins in your classroom might feel like a project that is either too messy or too advanced for the children that you care for. For a simple, fun version of this seasonal activity, you and the children in your care can decorate mini pumpkins with stickers or paint.
Click here to see ideas for pumpkin painting, or click here to learn more about using stickers to create pumpkin faces or to decorate the pumpkins with fall-themed designs. The finished mini-pumpkins can become a festive decoration for the classroom, or a seasonal piece of art for children to display at home.
A pumpkin volcano is an autumn-themed STEM activity that uses baking soda, vinegar, and liquid soap to cause foam lava to ooze out of the pumpkin. To add a spooky touch to the experiment, you might carve a face into the pumpkin to make a jack-o’lantern, so that the children can see the foam come out of its eyes and mouth! It’s a good idea to conduct this experiment in a shallow tub to keep the foamy lava contained.
Click here for more information about how to set up this experiment; or, for another fall idea, click here to learn how to set up the same activity with an apple.
The team behind No Small Matter, a wonderful documentary about early childhood education, has created a Youtube Channel that is full of useful information and resources related to early childhood learning & development.
Check out their video, 7 Fantastic Fall Activities for Preschoolers, which includes several fun and unique Fall activities that young children will love.
Below is a list of some of our favorite Fall Storytime books…
This book by Lois Ehlert uses watercolor and a collage of actual seeds, fabric, wire, and roots to tell the story of the life of a tree. The book is written in a simple style, with only a few words on each page, so it is a great read for a variety of ages. It also includes a glossary at the end that shares facts about trees. Click here for a free read-aloud on YouTube.
Written by Stef Wade and illustrated by Jennifer Davison, this children’s book has a powerful and positive message about overcoming fears, while also including science lessons about leaves and trees. The story will be enjoyed by older preschoolers and children in pre-k. You can find a free read-aloud of this story on YouTube.
This beautiful children’s book, written by Brandon Walden and illustrated by Kristen and Kevin Howdeshell, shares an important message about kindness and the power of words that will lead to a rich discussion with preschoolers about relationships and friendships. The book features images of trees displaying the warm colors of Fall.
Written by Julia Rawlinson and illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke, this story is part of a popular children’s book series. The vibrant illustrations of trees with bright orange and red leaves set the scene for a heartwarming story that will be enjoyed by toddlers and preschoolers. You can find a free, video read-aloud of the story here.
For many more ideas and activities for the autumn season, click here!
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All About Pumpkins! Activities & Children’s Books for Autumn