Autumn is a wonderful time of year for families to make memories together. Perhaps you are looking for ideas to make the most of the season as a family. Maybe you have a new baby and activities feel daunting right now. Don’t worry, many of the activities listed here are simple and doable with a small baby in the family. Fall activities can range from family field trips to pick apples or visit a pumpkin patch, to autumn themed crafts, to a simple walk around the neighborhood to enjoy the fall foliage. These kid-tested and approved activities can be modified for babies, toddlers, and older children. We hope these suggestions are helpful and we encourage you to do what feels right for your family!

Sensory play is for everyone

Sensory play can be really easy to put together and offer fun for all ages. Sensory bins are often a hit. Sensory play can be done inside or outside, depending on if the fall weather is cool or more mild. Lay down a beach towel and find a bin or bowl. You can use anything for a sensory base. Kinetic sand, rice, dry beans, sprinkles, dry pasta can all be good options. If you have a baby or young toddler in the house, consider using a taste safe sensory base like dry cereal or water. Add some measuring cups and spoons and any other fun fall items you have at home and let your little ones explore.

Here are some fall variations you can try. Combine pumpkins and water with scoops and a sponge and let your little ones wash and scrub their pumpkin. Cut open the top of a pumpkin and let your little one explore the inside – seeds and flesh – with their hands or a spoon. Add little pumpkins to a container of dry rice and hide the pumpkins in the rice for your child to dig out. Offer a water bin with red and yellow colored water and let your toddler practice pouring and mixing the colors to make orange. There are endless opportunities for learning and fun with sensory activities.

Bring out the paint

Pumpkin painting is a great activity which can double as homemade fall decorations for your house. Young babies can practice finger painting, toddlers can practice with a paint brush and washable paints, and older children can let their artistic vision run wild with more intricate designs.

We have a few tips to help make your painting experience and clean up easier. Consider painting outside if it is warm enough, or near the bathroom or kitchen sink for a quick wash afterward! Children have fun painting and are proud of their hard work, even when they mix all the colors and end up with a gray or brown pumpkin! The fun is in the experience.

Take a field trip

Speaking of experiences, there are many simple ways to experience the sights and smells of fall. Apple picking, pumpkin patch visits, or even taking a trip to a grocery store pumpkin display can be great fun for children. Observe what you see with your child. What colors are the pumpkins? Which pumpkins are big and which ones are small? Are they bumpy or smooth? Are the pumpkin stems curly or straight? Older children may enjoy bringing a journal to sketch what they see.

Whatever outing suits your family during this season of life, apples and pumpkins can be made into delicious fall recipes – and children love to help in the kitchen! Stay tuned for an upcoming article with fall recipes you can get your little ones involved with.

Find fun in nature

A nature walk can be another great way to get all ages of the family involved in fall fun. Talk with your children about the colors you see and notice what happens during the season change. Many children delight in collecting colorful leaves, rocks, and fallen acorns off the ground. For many places in the country, fall can offer a few more warm days before the cold weather of winter sends families inside to stay warm. Soak it all in and enjoy!

There is excitement in every season and certainly many things to enjoy in the fall. Each year your children grow, they may be ready to try something new. Or, you may find your family sets some fall traditions and does the same thing year after year. We hope these activities inspire your family to spend time together and enjoy the autumn months.

Editor’s note: Please closely supervise your children with any activities you do. To ensure safety, consider the ages of your children and avoid choking hazards when selecting the materials you use in any craft or sensory activity. 

Please send your story ideas to Kylie at [email protected].

Supporting Breastfeeding Families–Today, Tomorrow, Always

Please consider donating to La Leche League USA.
Your gift helps support this blog and the website!

Donations of any amount are gratefully accepted. Thank you!

Follow us on:

Facebook

Instagram

X (Twitter)