Fall is a magical time for families, especially for toddlers who are discovering the colorful world around them. With the crisp air, beautiful colors, and endless seasonal activities, fall is the perfect time for fun and exploration. For little ones, this season is full of opportunities to engage their senses, from crunching leaves underfoot to picking apples straight from the tree!
Beyond the excitement of fall, it’s also an important time to support pre-schoolers with the development of sensory and motor skills.
Hands-on experiences like jumping in leaf piles or feeling the texture of a pumpkin help toddlers build coordination, fine motor control, and sensory awareness. And having fun is just a bonus…
Let’s explore the top 10 fall activities for toddlers that are not only loads of fun, but also great for development. From outdoor adventures to creative fall crafts, these ideas will keep your little one entertained and learning right through to Christmas!
The Top 10 Fall Activities for Toddlers
1. Pumpkin Patch Visit
A visit to the pumpkin patch is a must during fall! Toddlers will love the bright orange pumpkins of all shapes and sizes. Let them touch the pumpkins to engage their senses and spark curiosity about different textures. And don’t forget to take lots of cute photos, of course!
Benefits
Exploring with senses: Toddlers get to feel the different textures of pumpkins—smooth, rough, bumpy—and experience the different weights and shapes.
Outdoor Activity: Being outside in a pumpkin patch gives your little one fresh air and it’s an opportunity for some exercise too!
Tips
Bring a Wagon: A wagon like this covered one from Amazon is great for carrying both your pumpkins and a tired toddler after exploring for the day.
Take Family Photos: Don’t forget to capture the moment! The colorful pumpkins and gorgeous fall scenery make for perfect family photos.
Dress Comfortably: Be sure to dress your toddler in weather-appropriate clothes and sturdy shoes for walking. We love this rainsuit for toddlers that comes in different designs!
2. Leaf Pile Jumping
There’s nothing in the world toddlers love more than jumping into a pile of crunchy fall leaves! Except perhaps smushing Playdoh into the carpet…
Collecting leaves together and then leaping into the pile not only provides loads of fun but also lets them explore the textures, colors, and sounds of fall. As they run, jump, and toss the leaves into the air, they’re engaging in play that promotes coordination, balance, and motor skills. Plus, they’ll love the rustling sound of the leaves and the vibrant reds, yellows, and oranges all around them.
Benefits
Physical Activity: Jumping, running, and playing in leaves helps to improve balance, coordination, and motor skills.
Sensory Development: The feel of dry, crunchy leaves, the sound of them rustling, and their bright fall colors provide an amazing sensory experience.
Connection to Nature: Toddlers get to experience nature up close, fostering an early appreciation for the outdoors.
Safety Tips
Ensure Safe Leaf Piles: Check for any sharp objects, like sticks, rocks, or debris, hidden in the leaves before your toddler jumps in.
Supervise Closely: Make sure the leaf piles are away from streets or driveways.
Dress Comfortably: Dress your toddler in layers and sturdy shoes for outdoor play, and check for bugs or dirt that might be hiding in the leaves.
3. Nature Scavenger Hunt
A nature scavenger hunt is a brilliant way to engage toddlers with the beauty of fall while letting them explore and learn. Create a simple list of fall items for them to find, like acorns, colorful leaves, pinecones, or small sticks. Your little one will love searching for these treasures, whether it’s in your backyard or at a local park. Arm them with a toddler-size magnifying glass to make it super exciting!
Benefits
Enhances Observation Skills: Searching for different items encourages toddlers to focus and observe their surroundings carefully.
Early Learning in Nature: Identifying natural objects helps toddlers learn about the environment and introduces concepts like shapes, colors, and textures in a fun, hands-on way.
Boosts Cognitive Skills: Matching items to the list encourages critical thinking and memory recall.
Tips
Adjust the nature hunt depending on age: For younger toddlers, keep the list super simple and include leaves and sticks. For older toddlers, add different colored leaves and harder-to-spot items like acorns.
4. Apple Picking
Apple picking is a classic fall activity that toddlers can enjoy while learning about where food comes from. Head to a local orchard and let them pick apples straight from the tree! As they place apples in their baskets, the idea of “farm-to-table” shows them how food makes its way from nature to their plates!
Benefits
Fine Motor Skills: Picking apples helps toddlers refine their hand-eye coordination and strengthen their grip as they carefully remove the apples from the tree.
Understanding Farm-to-Table: The activity introduces toddlers to the natural food cycle, helping them understand where their food comes from.
Physical Activity: Walking through the orchard is a fun way to exercise!
Tips
Make Applesauce Together: Use the apples you’ve picked to make a simple applesauce, letting your toddler help with washing, stirring, and mashing the apples.
Create Apple Stamps: Cut an apple in half, dip it in paint, and let your toddler use it as a stamp to make fun art projects.
5. Fall-Themed Sensory Bin
A fall-themed sensory bin is the perfect indoor activity for toddlers while helping them explore the textures and colors of fall. Fill a bin with seasonal items like dried corn kernels, mini pumpkins, acorns, pinecones, and fall leaves. Let your little one dig their hands in, feeling the different textures, scooping, pouring, and even sorting the different treasures!
Sensory bins are great for supporting tactile development and encouraging independent play!
Benefits
Boosts Tactile Sensory Development: The variety of textures, from smooth pumpkins to rough pinecones, allow toddlers to explore through touch.
Encourages Fine Motor Skills: Using scoops, cups, or their hands to move the items helps toddlers improve coordination and dexterity. We love this pack of sensory scoops, which includes a scoop, funnel and sifter.
Calming and Focused Play: Sensory bins can provide a calming, focused activity that can engage little ones in play.
Tips
Change Themes: Swap out items based on your little one’s interests, like adding toy animals for a “farm” theme.
Incorporate Colors and Counting: Encourage your toddler to sort items by color or size, or count how many objects they can find of a certain type.
6. Baking Fall Treats Together
Baking fall treats together is a cozy way to spend time with your toddler while introducing them to early cooking skills. Simple recipes like pumpkin muffins, apple pie, or cinnamon cookies are perfect for little hands to help with. From stirring ingredients to sprinkling toppings, toddlers can help you bake in a safe way, whilst developing fine motor skills… and eating yummy treats, of course.
Benefits
Introduces Early Cooking Skills: Toddlers get an early introduction to cooking, learning how to measure, pour, and stir ingredients.
Fine Motor Practice: Tasks like mixing batter, kneading dough, or placing muffin liners help to strengthen hand-eye coordination and fine motor control.
Sensory Engagement: The smells of cinnamon, apples and sugar, the feel of soft dough, and the taste of sweet fall treats will stimulate all the senses!
Tips
Supervise Closely: Always supervise your toddler around the kitchen, especially near hot surfaces like ovens or stoves.
Assign Toddler-Friendly Tasks: Stick to safe tasks for little ones like stirring, pouring, or decorating, and keep sharp tools and hot ingredients out of reach!
Use Child-Safe Utensils: Provide child-safe utensils like plastic mixing spoons or silicone spatulas to make cooking and baking safer. We love this toddler-friendly cooking utensils set, which includes a rolling pin, tongs, a whisk and a spatula!
7. Fall Crafts with Leaves
Fall crafts with leaves are a wonderful way to engage toddlers in creative activities while celebrating a beautiful time of year. Simple projects like leaf rubbing, painting leaves, or making leaf collages are super fun for your little one, and for the whole family!
Leaf rubbing involves placing paper over a leaf and rubbing crayons on top to reveal the leaf’s texture and shape, or you could simply paint or glue the leaves in a colorful collage.
Benefits
Encourages Creativity: Using different materials and colors allows toddlers to be creative and imaginative!
Fine Motor Development: Painting, gluing, and rubbing help strengthen fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
Tips
Use Washable Materials: Opt for washable paints, crayons, and glue to make cleanup easier.
Prepare a Crafting Area: Lay down newspaper or a plastic mat to keep your workspace clean, and provide smocks or old clothes for your toddler.
Keep It Simple: Use easy-to-handle supplies like chunky crayons and brushes to help toddlers stay engaged without frustration, and limit the number of steps to avoid overwhelming them.
8. Visit to a Fall Festival
Visiting a fall festival is a fantastic way for toddlers – and the whole family – to experience the magic of the season. Many local events offer toddler-friendly activities like hayrides, petting zoos, pumpkin decorating, and seasonal games.
Benefits
Social Interaction: Toddlers have the chance to engage with other children and adults, helping them practice social skills.
Family Bonding: A fall festival is the perfect chance for the family to bond, creating lasting seasonal traditions and memories!
Tips
Dress Comfortably: Layer your little one’s clothing to adapt to changing weather, and make sure they wear comfortable shoes for walking around.
Pack Essentials: Bring plenty of snacks for your toddler to keep their energy up as they’re making memories!
Plan Around Nap Time: Try to time your visit during periods when your toddler is well-rested.
9. Fall Storytime and Books
Fall storytime is a cozy activity for toddlers, offering an opportunity to explore the season through stories and books. Reading seasonal stories like Leaf Man or Apple Farmer Annie helps toddlers learn about the season in a fun and engaging way. These books introduce them to autumn themes like changing leaves, harvests, and farm life while also fostering cognitive development and language skills. Storytime is also a great way to bond with your little one!
Benefits
Cognitive Development: Reading books stimulates your toddler’s imagination, improving their understanding of new concepts and ideas.
Language Skills: Hearing new words and phrases helps to expand their vocabulary, while following along with the story improves comprehension.
Bonding Time: Snuggling up with a fall-themed book is the perfect way to bond with your toddler, fostering security and attachment.
Book suggestions
One Little Pumpkin, by Rosa Von Feder: We love this pop-up book that explores not-too-spooky themes and celebrates a super fun time of year!
Touch and Feel Fall: Teaching little ones about fall is easy with this touch and feel book. Toddlers love sensory books and will learn about fall animals, nature and weather whilst having fun!
You’re the Apple of My Pie, by Rose Rossner: Packed with fall illustrations and super cute puns, this sweet book celebrates family love.
We’re Going on a Leaf Hunt, by Steve Metzger: This playful fall-themed version of the classic “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt,” encourages outdoor adventures. It’s a must-have addition to any fall bookshelf!
I’m a Little Pumpkin, by Hannah Eliot: The classic nursery rhyme ‘I’m a Little Teapot’ gets a fall-themed makeover in this adorable board book for toddlers. Your little one will get to meet fall friends and will love the fun rhymes.
10. Outdoor Picnic with Fall Foods
An outdoor picnic with fall foods is a wonderful way to enjoy the season with your toddler, and the whole family! Pack a basket with seasonal snacks like pumpkin bread, apple slices, and warm soups to enjoy in the crisp autumn air. Depending on their age, you could even ask them for help preparing food and packing the picnic basket! You could go for a fall picnic in the local park or even just in your backyard! Wherever you eat, make sure you take plenty of layers, a picnic blanket and some cozy blankets for the whole family.
Benefits
Outdoor Sensory Stimulation: The sights, sounds, and smells of nature help them to connect to the world around them.
Fresh Air and Physical Activity: Spending time outdoors helps toddlers burn off energy, soak up fresh air, and enjoy a break from being indoors.
Trying New Foods: The variety of fall flavors, such as pumpkin, apple, and cinnamon, encourages little ones to explore new tastes and textures.
Food Suggestions
Pumpkin Bread or Muffins: Easy to bake and perfect for little hands, these fall treats are sure to be a hit!
Apple Slices with Cinnamon: A healthy, easy and yummy snack that toddlers love.
Warm Soup in a Thermos: A cozy way to stay warm on a cool day while introducing your toddler to tasty fall flavors like butternut squash or tomato and basil.
Cheese and Crackers: A toddler-friendly finger food that’s easy to pack and pair with fresh seasonal fruits, like grapes and figs.
Pumpkin pie: A fall picnic wouldn’t be complete without this seasonal classic!
Conclusion
The beautiful season of fall is the perfect time to engage toddlers in activities that are both super fun and also educational. From running through pumpkin patches and jumping in leaf piles to creating crafts and baking treats, these experiences support sensory and motor skill development while encouraging creativity. These fall activities for toddlers also create ideal moments for families to bond and build lasting memories.
So embrace the crisp air, incredible colors, and unique opportunities that fall brings—there’s no better time to play, learn, and bond… and eat plenty of pumpkin pie, of course.
From our family to yours.
