Arguably the best season of the year, fall is here! From sensory play and pumpkin patch visits for babies, to leaf-pile jumping and apple picking for older kids, there's a fun fall activity for kids of all ages.
Summer is great, but fall — with its cooler weather, changing leaves and pumpkin spice everything — just hits different. To make the most out of the season, we've organized a list of our favorite fall activities by age so you can find something your whole family will love.
Fall Activities for Babies
Introduce your baby to the wonders of fall through sensory play. A lot of these activities can be done with older siblings, too.
- Nature walks. Take your little one for a stroll. Go through your neighborhood, parks, gardens or nearby nature trails to enjoy the cooler temperatures and changing colors. Point out the leaves, listen to the sound of them crunching underfoot and simply enjoy being outside together.
- Idea for older kids: Bring along packing tape. Find some sticks to create a frame and line the frame with the tape. As your little one finds cool leaves, flowers, acorns and pebbles, stick them to the tape! You can make tape bracelets that do the same thing.
- Pumpkin patch. Visit a local pumpkin patch or farm. Let your little one touch and explore different textures, sizes and shapes of pumpkins, and take lots of adorable photos! Bonus points if there are animals to watch.
- Leaf sensory play. Collect a variety of colorful leaves during your nature walks. Lay out a large blanket or play mat and scatter the leaves on top. Allow your baby to reach for, feel and explore the different textures and sounds. You can also make your own fall sensory bag to continue the fun! No changing leaves nearby? Faux leaves work just as well.
Fall Activities for Toddlers
The best fall activities for toddlers combine movement with hands-on exploration, like leaf piles, apple picking and pumpkin decorating.
- Leaf piles. Raking up a pile of colorful leaves and letting your toddler jump into them is practically a fall requirement. Show your toddler how to jump into the pile safely and have fun together. Encourage them to explore the different textures and colors of the leaves. They may also want to help rake the leaves with you. It won’t be very efficient, but it will be cute.
- Apple orchard. Visit a local apple orchard for a pick-your-own outing. Keep track of how many you’re picking so you don’t end up with more apples than you can possibly eat (don’t ask us how we know). Once you’ve had your fill, plan to bake apple treats together at home.
How to Make Apple Chips:
- Preheat the oven to 200° F and grease a baking sheet.
- Slice apples with a mandolin (adults only!) while your toddler practices with a child-safe knife.
- Mix cinnamon and sugar together and coat the apple slices in it.
- Bake for 2-3 hours, flipping halfway through. The apple chips will crisp up as they cool.
- Pumpkin decorating. Get creative with your toddler by decorating pumpkins. Instead of carving, which can be challenging for young children, give them with non-toxic paints, stickers and other craft supplies. Pumpkin decorating is also a way to introduce sensory play by using fingerpaints or letting them explore the pumpkin guts (a fan favorite). Save the seeds to roast or toss them in your garden to grow your own patch next year.
Fall Activities for Preschool, Pre-K and Kindergarten
Some of the best fall activities for little (big) kids aren’t just fun but build real skills like math, reading and critical thinking.
- Scavenger hunt. Create a fall-themed scavenger hunt for your preschooler. Make a list of items they can find outdoors, such as acorns, pinecones and different colored leaves. Provide them with a small bag or basket to collect their treasures. This activity encourages exploration, observation and helps develop their cognitive and motor skills. You can also talk about the items they find and discuss the changes that occur during fall.
- Pumpkin patch adventure. Visit a pumpkin patch with your preschooler. Let them choose their own pumpkin and talk about its size, shape and color. Many pumpkin patches offer hayrides, corn mazes or petting zoos that your preschooler will love. Help them navigate through corn mazes or feed farm animals.
- Fall crafts and art projects. Try leaf rubbings (paper over a leaf, crayon on top), handprint or footprint turkey crafts or paper-plate masks and collages using fall colors, tissue paper, cotton balls or craft sticks. These build creativity and fine motor skills while giving your child a chance to express themselves.
- Bake fall goodies. Choose a simple recipe like pumpkin bread, apple crisp or homemade applesauce and let your child measure, mix and decorate. Following a recipe reinforces early reading, math and science skills.
As you move through this fall season with your child, remember it’s not about doing everything perfectly or checking off every activity. It’s about being present with them in the moment, whether you’re jumping into a pile of leaves or baking together in the kitchen. These activities aren’t just fun; they’re opportunities to strengthen your connection, nurture their curiosity and build their sense of confidence and wonder. So, embrace the messy moments and make some great memories this fall!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are good fall activities for a 1-year-old?
The best fall activities for a 1-year-old are sensory-based: real or faux leaf play, short nature walks and a visit to a pumpkin patch.
What fall crafts can preschoolers make?
Preschoolers can make leaf rubbings, handprint turkeys and paper-plate collages using fall colors. These crafts are simple, fun and build fine motor skills.
What's a good fall activity for toddlers?
Besides leaf piles, apple picking followed by baking apple chips together is a well-rounded fall activity for toddlers — it combines outdoor time with a hands-on kitchen project they can help with start to finish.
