Written by Mia.
As a new or expectant mother, it’s never too early to start brainstorming fun activities for your kids as they start to grow and develop a sense of curiosity and adventure. Between the crisp, pleasant temperatures and plenty of seasonal-inspired activities, there are many opportunities to keep your kids entertained during the fall season.
Introduce your family to the joy of autumn with a few fun fall activities for kids of various ages. Whether you're looking for a toddler activity or a fall craft idea for older kids, there's something here for everyone.
1. MAKE LEAF RUBBINGS OR PRINTS
Leaves can make beautiful works of art if you have blank pieces of paper and crayons. Have your kids collect any interesting, flat leaves they can find in your yard or a walk through the neighborhood. If they place the paper over each leaf and color lightly across it, they’ll watch the leaves take shape on their paper. They can also paint leaves and press them on paper or fabric to make prints! They’ll hone their fine motor skills and experiment with the creative color options.
2. PICK APPLES TOGETHER
See if there are any apple orchards near your home. Picking apples is one of the best fall activities for youngsters because they get to learn about how apples grow while collecting tasty snacks. You could even spend time in the kitchen afterward making fresh apple juice, peanut butter apple snacks and apple desserts together.
3. PLAY "I SPY" DURING A WALK
Fall is the best time of year for a walk. You can enjoy a cool breeze, and vibrant, rich colors are abundant in the surrounding vegetation.
As you take your kids on a walk around your neighborhood, play “I Spy.” You’ll challenge their brains to develop problem-solving skills as they find the object you see based on descriptions like color or texture. For older kids, you can make this into a scavenger hunt by giving them a list or pictures of items to find on the walk. Have them mark off each one or collect the item along the way, such as a fall leaf, rock, flower, and piece of liter to throw away.
4. PAINT PUMPKINS TOGETHER
Carving pumpkins is an annual tradition for many families, but the sharp objects aren’t great for young kids. Try painting pumpkins as a family instead. Paint is a much safer and easier decorating tool. Your kids might also love the unique experience of painting on an irregular surface like a bumpy, round pumpkin. Another fun idea is to have toddlers wash pumpkins with soap and water. Give them a sponge, toddler-friendly soap such as Motherlove's Baby + All Soap, and watch them scrub and shine their pumpkin!
5. TOUR A KID-FRIENDLY HAUNTED HOUSE
Haunted houses aren’t just for grown-ups. Plenty of organizations create kid-friendly haunts, too. See if there’s one in your area to tour as a family. It’s one of the most popular and fun fall activities for kids who already adore things like spooky Halloween movies. Wear costumes to make the experience even more exciting.
6.TRY A LEAF CRUNCHING CHALLENGE
During your family walk, challenge your children to see who can step on the most leaves. As they stomp on the leaves, count them out loud, and giggle, they probably won’t even realize they’re practicing their numbers because they’re having so much fun.
7. PLANT AUTUMN FLOWERS
Your family may love the experience of raising a fall garden. Plant autumn varieties like mums, marigolds, and dahlias. You could inspire your kids to fall in love with gardening as they help you bring small flowers home from a nearby plant nursery. If you raise your plants inside, your kids will also learn essential time management skills as they add watering the plants to their chore list.
This might just seem like another fall activity, but it runs deeper than that. A love of gardening can change a child’s life. Research shows that introducing kids to gardening improves their long-term health outcomes because they get excited about eating more vegetables. Understanding how plants work makes them more appealing at the dinner table.
8. ATTEND A PARADE IN COSTUME
Many towns host parades in the fall, especially as it gets closer to Halloween. Check your town’s local calendar and social media groups to see what’s happening where you live.
If there are no upcoming parades in your area, create an indoor parade with your kids’ friends and stuffed animals. The toys can “watch” as your children and their friends march through the house in costume. Don’t forget to play music and crowd cheering noises to amp up their excitement. This makes for the perfect indoor activity when the weather gets cold and rainy.
TRY FUN FALL ACTIVITIES WITH YOUR KIDS
Parents can explore fun fall-themed activities for kids to make the season more memorable. As your family takes nature walks, plants flowers, or paints pumpkins, you’ll encourage your young ones to enjoy new forms of entertainment, develop essential skills, and make memories that last a lifetime.
