Autumn days are shorter and chillier, but packed with opportunities to engage little ones in brain-building play that supports the development of motor skills, language, creativity, and more. 

Craving some fresh air? Outdoor play is a proven mood booster—for cranky parents and kiddos alike—that engages every sense. Witnessing the transformation from green leaves to vibrant fall foliage to bare branches with your child is awe-inspiring and fosters an appreciation for nature.

Stuck indoors? Bring the outside in with fall-inspired crafts that can be modified for little ones of different ages. Bonus: They make adorable decorations for upcoming holidays. 

Here are 10 safe, simple, and seasonal ways to support developmental skills and keep kids entertained this fall. 

Outdoor Activities

1. Scavenger hunt

The trees are changing all around us, so take advantage of the season by spending time in your local park or backyard. At the start of your visit, explain to little ones that you're on a scavenger hunt for fall treasures, like colorful leaves, acorns, and small pinecones. You can guide the activity with a written or illustrated checklist of the items, or just talk through it.

To elevate the scavenger hunt into a more hands-on art project, make nature bracelets. Place tape around your child's wrist, sticky side out. When they find fall treasures, place them on the bracelet for artful safekeeping.

Image via Happy Toddler Playtime

Developmental benefits: Enhances sensory exploration, problem-solving, and vocabulary.

 

2. Leaf pile jumping
 

Nothing says fall like jumping into a big pile of crunchy leaves! Help your child gather leaves in a flat spot free of rocks or tree stumps that might lead to tripping. Then let them run, jump, dance, and roll through the pile. If you feel like turning this fun into some yard clean-up, you can rake and bag the leaves for mulching.

Developmental benefits: Encourages gross motor skills, coordination, and energy release.

 

3. Pumpkin patch visit

 

If you're fortunate to live near a pumpkin patch, it's worth a visit. Many families go for a seasonal photo op, but we encourage yours to linger and get messy, as little ones take in new sights, smells, tastes, and textures. Let your child pick out their own pumpkin, go on a hayride, try cider donuts, and meet farm animals. 

If you don't have access to a pumpkin patch, browse the pumpkin display at a grocery store, observing the different colors, sizes, and textures, and pick one or more to take home. 

Developmental benefits: Stimulates sensory exploration, decision-making, and social interaction.

4. Apple picking

If you live near an apple orchard, try picking your own bag or basket of fall's favorite fruit. Let little ones explore the orchard rows, looking for the perfect low-hanging fruit and encourage them to pick a variety of apples.

Once you're home, rinse the apples with a produce wash and incorporate them into snacks and mealtime. Do a taste test with different types of apples. Pair apples with different dips, like caramel or peanut butter. Bring little ones into the kitchen for a more ambitious culinary project, like baking an apple pie.

Developmental benefits: Supports hand-eye coordination, builds decision-making skills, and introduces farm-to-table concepts.

5. Birdwatching

During fall migration, an astounding variety of birds travel south along routes known as flyways. Check this map to find out which one you live in. While birdwatching is a hobby associated with older folks, children are natural observers. Use time outside with little one to observe wildlife and talk about how many birds prepare for winter by migrating great distances and gathering food. If you don't spot any migrating birds, common sparrows, robins, and pigeons are fascinating when you take the time to slow down and appreciate them.

Developmental benefits: Improves focus, patience, and understanding of nature.

Indoor Activities

6. Color/paint by numbers

Little ones can brighten up a gray day with a color/paint by numbers sheet and some crayons or paint. If you don't have a book of numbered drawings, HealthyBaby created this page you can print at home.

If this activity is new to your chid, start by pointing out the numbers and explaining that pieces with that number should all be the same color. Your child can start by coloring in all the pieces with one number before moving on to the next. After the project is complete, talk through what the image shows. With our page, you can explain why squirrels gather and bury acorns before the long winter!

Developmental benefits: Boosts hand-eye coordination, creativity, and numbers mastery.

 

7. Leaf rubbing 

This craft is an outdoor and indoor activity. First, gather dry fallen leaves from outside. Place a leaf under a piece of paper, and let your child rub a crayon or piece of chalk over it to reveal the leaf's beautiful shape and texture. This is an opportunity to talk about how different trees have different leaves and to compare and contrast size, shape, color, and texture.

Developmental benefits: Enhances fine motor skills, artistic creativity, and understanding of nature.

8. Pumpkin decorating

Halloween might be over, but pumpkins are here for the season. They can be beautifully displayed on their own, but we encourage letting little ones use stickers or non-toxic paint for a more hands-on artistic experience.

Developmental benefits: Encourages self-expression and color recognition.

 

9. Fall-themed sensory bins 

Fill a large bin with fall-inspired items like dried corn kernels, miniature pumpkins, acorns, or leaves. Let your child explore different sights, smells, and textures by scooping, pouring, and sorting the objects. To keep the fun extra tidy, choose a bin that's shallow enough to serve as the play surface, so these items stay contained throughout play.

Developmental benefits: Stimulates sensory development and supports independent play.

10. Handprint tree craft

Draw a tree trunk on a large piece of paper for your little one to color or paint. Then help them trace their hand on pieces of colored paper to make "leaves" in various fall colors. Older children can practice their cutting skills with safety scissors, or you can cut out the leaves for them. Now, let your child tape or glue their handprint leaves onto the tree. For a freestanding 3D version of this craft, make a tree trunk out of a cardboard paper towel tube and glue leaves on it.

Image via The Best Ideas For Kids

Developmental benefits: Fosters fine motor skills, creativity, and understanding of nature.