Autumn is a wonderland for the senses, especially for preschoolers. The crisp air, the vibrant colors, the scent of cinnamon and pumpkin spice wafting through the air… there is no better time to introduce new engaging activities to capture this beautiful season. Here are some wonderful and fun autumn sensory activities for preschoolers that will keep those tiny hands busy, little minds active, and hearts full.
Rake and Jump in the Leaves
Materials Needed: Rake, a yard filled with leaves.
We may live in an age of digital entertainment, but it’s often the good old-fashioned activities that bring that innocent sheer joy! Grab those rakes and let the children help to create the biggest, fluffiest pile of leaves imaginable. Then, let the the kids take turns jumping into the pile. This activity is an excellent way to incorporate physical exercise with that sensory experience of the great outdoors. Leaf jumping also encourages teamwork and cooperation. Bonus: you may find your yard raking that much easier afterwards!
Sensory Bins with Autumn Elements
Materials Needed: Plastic bins, corn kernels, small pumpkins, gourds, pinecones, acorns, leaves.
Fill plastic bins or tuff trays with autumn-related items like dried corn kernels, small pumpkins, gourds, pinecones, acorns, and colorful leaves. Seasonal sensory bins are an amazing way to engage children’s senses. They are also a great at building fine motor skills as kids grab, sort, and feel the different textures. Not only do these Fall sensory bins captivate preschoolers’ attention, but they also create a calming effect. Calming bins are a perfect reset if the classroom energy starts to ramp up. Think about adding a small one to your calming corner. For more tips on creating calming corners at your daycare, check out this post.
Creating Leaf Rubbings
Materials Needed: White paper, crayons, a variety of leaves.
Another classic Autumn preschooler activity! Leaf rubbings never get old, no matter how much you age. Simply place a leaf under a piece of white paper, and have the children rub a crayon over the paper to reveal the leaf’s texture and shape. This fun sensory art project teaches children about different textures and shapes, who also creating some beautiful artwork to display around the classroom.
Nature Walks and Leaf Hunts
Materials Needed: A local park or wooded area, baskets or bags for collecting.
Does anything beat a peaceful nature walk during Autumn months? There’s something about that stunning scenery, crips air, and changing colours. It’s truly a treasure trove of learning opportunities. Give each child a small basket or bag and go on a nature and/orleaf hunt! Look for different shapes, sizes, and colors of leaves. Print out a free scavenger hunt sheet and have them find items like acorns, pinecones, different coloured leaves, and signs of birds. Back at the daycare, you can use the gathered leaves or nature items for art projects or science lessons. Don’t forget to utilize Pinterest for ideas!
Apple Tasting and Graphing Activity
Materials Needed: Various types of apples (Granny Smith, Red Delicious, Honeycrisp, etc.), posters, markers.
Apples are not only delicious – they can also be highly educational! Gather a variety of apples and set up a fun and yummy tasting station. Let the children taste each one (tip: pre-cut the apples into bite-sized pieces). Note their preferences, and create a graph on a large poster to show which apple was the class favorite. This activity is not only fun, it also helps develop data interpretation skills. A bonus? Apple tasting also encourages healthy eating habits.
Fall-Themed Storytime and Puppet Shows
Materials Needed: Fall-themed storybooks, finger puppets.
Gather the little ones together for a cozy storytime session with some of your favourite fall-themed books. You can follow this up with a puppet show where kids can reenact their favourite parts of the story. Puppetry enhances a child’s ability to retell stories. It also boosts their imagination, all while fostering a love for reading. It’s a win-win all around!
Autumn Sensory Writing Tray
We just love any opportunity to combine sensory experiences with learning. This Autumn sensory writing tray from The Imagination Tree is a wonderful combination of the two. All you need is a small tray, salt and powdered paints, and some natural elements like pinecones, pretend leaves, and a small stick for writing.
Pumpkin Painting and Decorating
Materials Needed: Mini pumpkins, non-toxic paint, paint brushes, stickers, glitter.
Say goodbye to scary jack-o-lanterns, and hello to happy and creative pumpkins! Provide each child with their own mini pumpkin, and let their imaginations run wild. Set up a station with non-toxic paints, brushes, stickers, and glitter and sit back to watch your little preschoolers create their own unique pumpkin. This activity is so great at encouraging creativity and self-expression while also providing stimulation needed for cognitive development. If you’re looking for more pumpkin or Thanksgiving-related crafts and activities, look no further than here!
In Conclusion
Autumn is a season full of opportunities to engage, educate, and enchant preschoolers. From tactile sensory bins to the pure joy of jumping into a leaf pile, each activity is not only fun, but also offers plenty of opportunity for creativity and development. Let’s embrace the season and make the most of these golden days. Happy fall, y’all!
