10 Fun Fall Activities for Preschoolers

Fall is such a fun time of year with preschoolers! Between the colorful leaves, pumpkins, apples, cooler weather, and all the changes happening outside, there are so many opportunities to turn everyday play into a learning experience.

The best part is that preschool activities don't need to be complicated. In fact, some of my favorite activities are the simple ones that get kids creating, exploring, moving, and using their imaginations.

If you're looking for some easy ways to celebrate the season, here are 10 fun fall activities for preschoolers that are perfect for home, daycare, or the classroom.

1. Go On A Fall Scavenger Hunt

Grab a bag or small bucket and head outside for a fall scavenger hunt! Have the kids search for things like:

• A red leaf
• A yellow leaf
• An acorn
• A pinecone
• A stick
• A rock
• Something smooth
• Something bumpy

You can make a printable checklist or simply call out different items for the kids to find. This is a great way to get everyone outside while working on colors, observation skills, and following directions.

2. Paint With Leaves

Instead of using paintbrushes, collect a variety of leaves and use them to paint.

Kids can dip the leaves into washable paint and stamp them onto paper. Try using traditional fall colors like red, orange, yellow, and brown, or let the kids choose whatever colors they want.

You can also paint directly onto the back of a leaf and press it onto the paper to make a leaf print. The veins and different shapes of the leaves create some really neat designs.

3. Wash Pumpkins

Sometimes the simplest activities are the biggest hits.  Place a few small pumpkins in a large container along with a little water, sponges, washcloths, and scrub brushes. Let the kids give the pumpkins a bath.

Preschoolers love water play, and scrubbing and squeezing the sponges gives those little hands some extra fine motor practice too.

4. Make Apple Stamps

Cut an apple in half, dip the cut side into washable paint, and use it as a stamp.

Kids can make apple pictures, fall cards, or even an entire apple tree. Try cutting one apple vertically and another horizontally so children can compare the different shapes and patterns inside.

Don't forget to look for the little star created by the seeds!

5. Sort Fall Leaves

Collect a big pile of leaves and turn them into a simple sorting activity.  Ask preschoolers to sort the leaves by color, size, or shape. Once they're sorted, count how many are in each group. Which group has the most? Which has the least?

It's an easy way to incorporate early math concepts into something kids are already excited to collect.

6. Create A Pumpkin Patch

Turn your play area into a pretend pumpkin patch!  Use small pumpkins, baskets, a toy wagon, pretend money, or even handmade signs to create your own pumpkin stand. Kids can take turns being the farmer, cashier, and customers.

Pretend play like this encourages communication, cooperation, counting, and imaginative play.  And it's always fun to see the scenarios preschoolers come up with on their own.

7. Make A Fall Nature Collage

Take a walk outside and collect leaves, small sticks, grass, flower petals, and other interesting pieces of nature.  Bring everything back to the table and let the kids create their own fall masterpieces. Provide paper, glue, crayons, and markers and let their imaginations take over.

There's no right or wrong way to make a nature collage, which makes this a great open-ended art activity.

8. Have A Fall-Themed Bin Busy Break

When you need a quieter activity, pull out a hands-on activity bin and let kids settle in for some independent play.

Our Bin Busy On The Farm theme is especially fun for fall. Kids can set up the barn, tend to the farm animals, drive the tractor, visit the chicken coop, pick apples from the tree, and create their own farm adventures.

It's an easy way to encourage imaginative play, storytelling, and fine motor skills while giving kids something they can enjoy independently or alongside a friend.

9. Make A Sticky Fall Tree

Draw a large tree trunk and branches on a piece of paper or cardboard. Add clear contact paper with the sticky side facing out, and let the kids decorate their tree with colorful leaves.

You can use real leaves collected outside or cut leaves from tissue paper or construction paper.  Kids can add and remove the leaves over and over, making this an activity you can leave out and revisit throughout the week.

10. Have A Fall Dance Party

Not every activity needs to happen at the table!  Turn on some music and pretend to be leaves blowing through the wind. Kids can start by standing tall on their "tree," sway back and forth, and then slowly fall to the ground.

Call out different directions like:

"Blow FAST!"

"Blow slowly."

"Twirl around!"

"Fall to the ground!"

"Jump back into the tree!"

It's silly, simple, and a great way to get some movement in on a chilly or rainy fall day.

Enjoy The Season!

Fall provides so many natural opportunities for preschoolers to explore, create, and learn. You don't need elaborate crafts or expensive supplies to make the season special. A pile of leaves, a few pumpkins, some paint, or a favorite activity bin can provide plenty of entertainment.

Choose a couple of these fall activities for preschoolers to try this week, or work your way through all ten as the season goes on.

Most importantly, give kids plenty of time to explore and play. Those simple fall experiences are often the ones they enjoy the most!