Creative activities for exploring autumn

Seasonal changes are a dynamic aspect of understanding our ever-changing world, which makes them a great topic for engaging with the outdoors in different ways on a daily, sometimes hourly, basis.

From how we feel to what we wear, from the cultural events on the calendar to the colours we see, seasonal changes are multisensory experiences that enrich our playful learning opportunities.

Seasonal sensory baskets

Sensory activities with a seasonal twist allow children to engage with aspects of the world around them up close, promoting attention to detail and focus.

Sensory bins can engage babies and children alike with an assortment of textures, patterns, scents and colours of autumn, which comprise items such as:

pine cones
twigs
dry leaves
scented bags with seasonal flavours, such as orange, apple or nutmeg
small pumpkins.

Why not try adding cinnamon to a homemade playdough recipe for even more sensory fun?

Shadows and Light

As the nights draw in, children can explore shadows outside towards the end of their day at the setting.

Use torches to explore the darker outside space or create shadows together inside.

Autumnal tones in art

Get mixing with autumn colours, like a palette of reds, yellows, oranges and browns. Explore colour mixing and how it might relate to our wider world by comparing the colours made with natural objects in their autumnal state, such as how leaves change colour or the plants that grow in the autumn months.

Take time with the natural patterns found in the autumn environment, using pinecones and delicately veined leaves as stamps for making peculiar patterns with paint or crayon rubbings.

Outdoor Play

The autumn months are full of windy and rainy days. Provide children with a variety of materials for their garden time fun to explore how the wind affects objects and new ways to have fun in the rain.