Fall is one of my favorite seasons, especially for teaching babies and toddlers. With slightly cooler temps and the threat of sunburn almost gone it is time to enjoy some wonderful experiences outdoors. Here are some of my favorite ideas on how to explore fall with your favorite little person by the very talented bloggers part of the Mom Bloggers Tribe and the subgroup Toddler Mom Bloggers Tribe. Thanks for all your help ladies!
(This post contains affiliate links. To read our full disclosure policy click here.)
Toddler Fall Activities
Discover with Books
Books provide a great way for children to learn more about the fall season. Reading with your child is one of the BEST things you can do to encourage their development. It also works well to introduce children to new concepts such as seasons or holidays. If you need some ideas of fall literature to check out then click HERE for 22 of the best fall books for toddlers! This one is my absolute FAVORITE fall book!
Get Outside
Letting children explore the season outside is a great way for them to learn. Often times we don’t always realize how much they can learn and take in from their environment. Every season brings changes for your little one to discover.
Take a nature walk together and enjoy all of the new scenery. Talk about the changes in the leaves and how the cooler air feels. Any walk can be turned into a nature walk as you collect pine cones, leaves, and acorns along the way. Click HERE to read more about the skills your little one can learn from playing outdoors.
Explore New Fall Trends
Does your city offer special fall activities? If so, you should check them out together. From pumpkin patches to apple orchards bringing your toddler to new places to learn is an exciting experience for both of you. Click HERE for more examples of fun fall activities to watch out for.
Explore new fall foods together and take some time to bake with your child. They will enjoy the process and it is a fun way to introduce new foods like pumpkin or fall spices.
You could even create your own fall bucket list to make sure you get to everything! If you need an example of one click HERE.
Play in the Leaves
Did you know that playing in the leaves can encourage development in ALL areas? This is my absolute FAVORITE fall activity. There are lots of opportunities to encourage motor, language, cognitive, social emotional, and adaptive skills all while exploring the leaves. So grab a rake and maybe a child-sized one as well (like this one) and head to the yard. Children playing in leaves provides them with lots of ways to build new skills.
Pumpkin Play
When I think about fall I think about everything pumpkin! There are songs to sing and books to read (like this one) to help your child learn about pumpkins. Take them to a pumpkin patch where they can see exactly where they come from and how they grow.
A wonderful way to teach them is through simple sensory play.There are so many things that your child can learn from exploring a pumpkin by just using their senses. Click HERE to read more about how to use their eyes, nose, and hands to learn from pumpkin sensory play.
I would love to hear about what your favorite fall activities are. Tell me about them in the comments below or find me on Facebook! I would love to hear from you!
Kayla O’Neill has a master’s degree in education as well as a bachelor’s degree in special education with an emphasis in early childhood education. She has been working as a developmental therapist with babies and toddlers in early intervention since 2012. She is also a mom with two young children.