Fall Activities For Toddlers
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Fall is such a magical season, full of colorful leaves, cooler weather, and plenty of opportunities to spend quality time with your toddler. If you’re a mom looking for fun, easy, and engaging fall activities to do at home with your little one, you’re in the right place! Toddlers are curious, full of energy, and love hands-on experiences, so fall is the perfect time to introduce them to new things. From sensory play to outdoor adventures, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy this beautiful season together.
My kids are currently ages 7, 6, 4, and 20 months, with #5 joining our family in about a month. I’ve had many falls to perfect this list of fall toddler activities! We’re spending a lot of time at home now as we await baby, and we’ve already started using a lot of the activities on this list.
In this post, we’ll cover a wide range of fall activities that are safe and age-appropriate for toddlers. Whether you’re spending time indoors or heading outside to explore, these ideas will keep your little one entertained, learning, and having fun.
(Note - there is a mix of fall activities and crafts on this list. If you’re looking just for fall crafts for toddlers, you’ll love these other articles I wrote on 20 Fall Crafts For Toddlers and 20 Halloween Crafts For Toddlers!)
1. Leaf Pile Jumping
Nothing says fall like a big pile of crunchy leaves! Head outside with your toddler and gather up as many leaves as you can. Once you have a good-sized pile, let your little one jump, roll, and play in the leaves. You can even encourage them to help with the gathering process, which gives them a sense of accomplishment. Plus, it's a great way to get them moving and burn off some energy!
I purchased these simple, inexpensive toddler rakes (pictured below) and highly recommend letting your toddler join in on the raking fun! I now own 4 of these, and even though my oldest aren’t toddlers anymore, all of them enjoy raking leaves. They’ve lasted for years!
My oldest two girls enjoying one of their favorite fall toddler activities - raking leaves!
2. Nature Walk and Leaf Collecting
Take your toddler on a simple nature walk to explore the beautiful fall scenery. Bring along a small bag or basket and collect interesting leaves, acorns, pinecones, or small sticks along the way. Once you’re back home, you can use these treasures for crafts or sorting activities. This is a great opportunity to teach your toddler about the different colors and shapes of leaves, all while getting fresh air and exercise.
3. Pumpkin Painting
Carving pumpkins can be a little too challenging for toddlers, but painting pumpkins is the perfect alternative! Grab some small pumpkins and colorful non-toxic paint, and let your toddler go wild with creativity. They can use their fingers or small paintbrushes to decorate their pumpkins however they like. The best part is that it’s easy to clean up, and you’ll have some adorable pumpkin decorations to display.
Safety tip: Use washable, non-toxic paint to ensure that the activity is safe for little ones. Here is my favorite.
If you’re looking for more craft-like activities for fall, you are sure to love this article I did on 18 Apple-Themed Crafts for Kids and this other one called 20 Fall Crafts For Toddlers.
4. Fall-Themed Sensory Bin
Sensory bins are a fantastic way to engage your toddler’s senses while keeping them busy. Create a fall-themed sensory bin using items like dried corn, small pumpkins, acorns, pinecones, and fake leaves. Add scoops, cups, or spoons for them to dig, pour, and explore. You can even hide little toys or objects inside for them to find. Sensory play helps with fine motor skills and is super fun for toddlers.
If you haven’t yet purchased sensory bin supplies for your toddler, you can start out with one of these simple large, clear bins with a lid. You can buy sensory bin kits with different themes or materials like sand, but I personally prefer to use things I have around the house.
I’m personally a fan of this sensory bin table, which has two built in bins that can be used for sensory play or storage. The flat panels convert it to a table perfect for many other toddler activities.
5. Apple Stamping Art
Apple stamping is a fun, easy, and safe craft for toddlers. All you need are apples, paint, and paper. Cut an apple in half, dip it in washable, non-toxic paint, and let your toddler stamp the apple onto paper to create colorful shapes. You can use different colors to represent the fall season, like red, orange, yellow, and brown. It’s a great way to practice hand-eye coordination, and your little one will love seeing the fun shapes they create.
6. Homemade Fall Playdough
Make your own fall-scented playdough with ingredients you probably already have at home! You can add cinnamon, pumpkin spice, or vanilla to give it that warm, cozy scent. Your toddler can squish, roll, and mold the dough into all kinds of shapes. Add cookie cutters or small toys for more fun. This sensory activity is easy to set up, and the playdough can be stored for future play.
Safety tip: Always make sure the ingredients in your playdough are safe for toddlers in case they try to taste it. This is why I prefer to make my own homemade play dough instead of buy it from the store.
7. Pinecone Painting
If you’ve collected pinecones on your nature walk, they make a great base for some fun painting! Set your toddler up with washable, non-toxic paint and let them decorate the pinecones in fall colors like red, yellow, and orange. Once the paint dries, you can use the painted pinecones as decorations around the house or string them together to create a garland.
8. Pumpkin Bowling
Turn empty plastic bottles into bowling pins and use a small pumpkin as the bowling ball for a fun fall-themed bowling game. Set up the “pins” in a straight line, and let your toddler roll the pumpkin to try and knock them down. It’s a simple, indoor game that helps with coordination and motor skills, and your toddler will love the challenge!
My toddlers have always had a fascination with pumpkins, and there are so many great fall activities for toddlers that involve pumpkins!
9. Fall Leaf Collage
Use the leaves you collected during your nature walk to make a beautiful fall leaf collage. Give your toddler a piece of paper and let them glue the leaves onto the page to create a fun and colorful design. You can also add glitter or stickers for extra decoration. This craft helps with creativity and fine motor skills, plus it’s a fun way to preserve the beauty of fall.
10. Fall Scavenger Hunt
Create a simple scavenger hunt in your backyard or local park. Make a list of fall-themed items for your toddler to find, such as an acorn, a red leaf, a yellow leaf, a stick, or a pinecone. Give them a basket to collect the items and celebrate each time they find something on the list as you walk around together. This is a great way to explore nature, keep your toddler active, and help them learn about the different elements of fall.
11. Pumpkin Sensory Bag
For a mess-free sensory activity, create a pumpkin sensory bag! Fill a plastic zip-lock bag with orange hair gel or pumpkin guts, and add small plastic spiders or googly eyes inside. Seal the bag tightly and let your toddler squish it around. They’ll enjoy the feeling of the squishy gel and discovering the items inside, all while staying clean!
Safety tip: Make sure the bag is securely sealed to prevent any leaks.
12. Baking Fall Treats Together
Toddlers love to help in the kitchen, and fall baking is the perfect way to spend time together. Choose simple recipes, like pumpkin muffins or apple crisp, and let your toddler help stir ingredients, pour flour, or sprinkle toppings. The best part is enjoying your tasty treats together when they’re done!
One favorite tradition in our family is making roll-out sugar cookies and using a pumpkin cookie cutter. I’ve done this for years ever since my oldest was a toddler—the picture below is our very first year of this tradition.
My oldest daughter and I doing one of my favorite fall activities for toddlers - roll out sugar cookies with a pumpkin cookie cutter!
13. Fall-Themed Water Play
If you have a water table or a large bin, fill it with water and add fall-themed items like small pumpkins, acorns, and leaves. Your toddler can splash around and explore the items floating in the water. You can even add a few scoops or cups for more water play fun. This activity is perfect for those warmer fall days and is easy to set up!
Safety tip: Always supervise toddlers during water play to ensure safety.
14. DIY Fall Tree Art
Create a fall tree art project with your toddler using paper and paint. Draw the outline of a tree on a piece of paper, and then let your toddler use their fingers to paint the leaves. You can use fall colors like red, orange, and yellow for the leaves, and your little one will love the chance to get a little messy while creating their masterpiece.
15. Outdoor Picnic
Take advantage of the cooler weather and plan an outdoor picnic with your toddler. Pack some simple snacks, grab a cozy blanket, and head to your backyard or a local park. Your toddler will enjoy being outside, and you’ll get a chance to relax while enjoying the fall atmosphere.
You can bring along a few toys or books for added fun, but my toddlers always end up finding leaves, sticks, or pinecones and make their own fun.
16. Corn Sensory Bin
Corn kernels are a great sensory material that’s perfect for fall-themed activities. Fill a large bin with dried corn kernels and add scoops, cups, or small toys for your toddler to play with. They’ll love the texture and the chance to dig and pour. You can even add small fall-themed objects like plastic pumpkins or scarecrows to make it more festive.
Safety tip: Supervise closely to ensure your toddler doesn’t put any small items in their mouth.
17. Apple Picking
If you have a local apple orchard nearby, take your toddler apple picking! This is a fun, outdoor activity that gives your little one the chance to explore and experience nature. Toddlers love picking apples from the trees, and you’ll leave with plenty of fresh apples to enjoy at home.
18. Fall-Themed Storytime
Snuggle up with your toddler and enjoy some fall-themed books together. There are plenty of wonderful children’s books that celebrate the autumn season, with stories about pumpkins, leaves, and fall animals. Storytime is a great way to wind down after a busy day of play, and it helps encourage language development in toddlers.
19. Pumpkin Seed Exploration
After carving a pumpkin, don’t throw out the seeds! Rinse them off and let your toddler explore the texture of the seeds. You can even roast the seeds together for a tasty snack. This is a simple, hands-on activity that introduces your little one to new textures and tastes.
Be sure to keep an eye on younger toddlers to make sure they don’t put the seeds in their mouth!
20. Fall-Themed Songs and Dance
Turn up some fun fall-themed songs and have a dance party with your toddler! Songs about pumpkins, leaves, and autumn animals are great for getting your little one moving. Toddlers love music, and dancing is a wonderful way for them to release energy and improve coordination. You can even incorporate simple instruments like maracas or tambourines to make it more interactive. It’s a perfect indoor activity for those rainy or chilly fall days!
21. Pinecone Bird Feeder
Help your toddler create a simple bird feeder using a pinecone, peanut butter, and birdseed. Spread the peanut butter all over the pinecone, then roll it in birdseed. Once it's covered, tie a string around the top and hang it outside. Your toddler will love watching the birds come to enjoy their handmade treat. It's a great way to teach them about nature and animals.
22. Apple Stacking Game
For a simple and fun game, use apples to create a stacking challenge. See how many apples your toddler can stack on top of each other before they tumble down. It’s a great way to practice hand-eye coordination and balance, and your toddler will giggle with excitement as they try to build their apple tower.
Safety tip: Make sure the apples are sturdy and smooth to avoid frustration.
23. Pumpkin Sensory Play with Spaghetti
Create a sensory experience for your toddler by cooking some orange spaghetti and letting them play with it! Add a few plastic pumpkins or other fall-themed items to the mix. The texture of the spaghetti will be a fun and squishy experience for your little one, and it’s easy to clean up afterward. You can even add a little food coloring to enhance the fall theme.
Safety tip: Supervise closely to ensure that your toddler plays safely with the spaghetti.
24. Fall Nature Bracelets
Create nature bracelets with your toddler by using a piece of wide tape. Wrap the tape loosely around their wrist, sticky side up, and head outside to collect small leaves, grass, or tiny flowers. As your toddler gathers different items, they can stick them onto the bracelet, creating their own unique nature accessory. It's a fun and interactive way to explore the outdoors while crafting.
Safety tip: Ensure that none of the items collected are sharp or harmful, and keep a close eye on your little one.
25. Fall-Themed Puzzle
If your toddler enjoys puzzles, you can create a fall-themed puzzle together! Print out an image of a pumpkin, leaf, or scarecrow and cut it into simple pieces that your toddler can put back together. You can make the pieces large and easy to handle, which is perfect for little hands. This activity is great for cognitive development and helps improve problem-solving skills.
26. Leaf Rubbing Art
Leaf rubbing is a classic and simple fall activity that toddlers can enjoy. Gather a few leaves from your yard, place them under a piece of paper, and let your toddler use crayons to rub over the top. As they rub, the texture of the leaf will appear on the paper. They’ll be amazed at the shapes and patterns they create!
27. Pumpkin Hide and Seek
If your toddler loves hide and seek, you can give it a fall twist by hiding small plastic pumpkins around your house or yard. Give your toddler a basket and let them go on a hunt to find all the hidden pumpkins. It's an exciting way to get them moving and engaged, and they’ll feel proud each time they discover a hidden pumpkin.
28. Pumpkin Tic-Tac-Toe
Turn the classic game of tic-tac-toe into a fall-themed activity by using mini pumpkins and markers. Draw a large tic-tac-toe grid on a piece of cardboard or paper, and use mini pumpkins in different colors (like orange and white) as the game pieces. Your toddler will love the hands-on aspect of moving the pumpkins around, and it’s a great way to introduce them to basic game concepts.
29. Fall-Themed Matching Game
Create a simple fall-themed matching game for your toddler using images of pumpkins, leaves, acorns, and other fall objects. Print out two copies of each image, cut them out, and lay them face down. Your toddler can flip them over and try to find the matching pairs. This activity helps with memory and concentration, and it’s a fun way to introduce your little one to fall symbols.
30. Fall-Themed Bubble Play
Toddlers love bubbles! For a fall twist, use bubble wands shaped like leaves or pumpkins and play with bubbles outside in the crisp autumn air. You can even make homemade bubble solution with a little food coloring for a fun, fall-colored effect. Bubble play is perfect for outdoor fun, and your toddler will love chasing and popping the bubbles.
Conclusion
Fall is a season full of opportunities to engage your toddler in fun, hands-on activities that help them learn and explore the world around them. From simple crafts like apple stamping and leaf collages to outdoor adventures like nature walks and pumpkin hunts, there are endless ways to make the most of this cozy, colorful time of year. These activities are not only entertaining but also help develop your toddler's motor skills, creativity, and sensory awareness—all while creating cherished memories together.
Remember, the key to making fall activities enjoyable for your toddler is to keep them simple, safe, and interactive. And most importantly, have fun! Whether you're inside crafting or outside exploring, these activities are sure to keep your little one busy, happy, and ready to soak in all the joys that autumn brings.
Wishing you a fall full of amazing memories and fun activities with your toddler!
This post is featured as part of Twinkl’s Fall festivities, find me in Creative Fall Activities for Children
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