My family and I live in the suburbs of Southern California. In the summer, the temperature often exceeds 90 degrees. Thus, I welcome the cooler months. Fall means I can take my three-year-daughter to the park at any time of the day. When October hits, we can frequent pumpkin patches and be out with nature. While it’s much easier to keep my toddler active during autumn, it can still be a challenge. These 10 fun, “mom-tested” activities will ensure your toddler is never bored in the fall months.
Decorate Pumpkins Cookies
What kid doesn’t like to decorate cookies? Making pumpkin cookies is an easy way to involve kids in the cookie process. If you are good at baking, you can make your cookies from scratch or buy the pre-made dough. Give your child a sturdy chair to stand on so he or she can help roll out the dough. Then, cut the dough with plastic, pumpkin shaped cookie cutters. After baking, have orange and green frosting for decorating. Sprinkles are a must for those finishing touches. Don’t expect these cookies to look perfect; after all, a toddler made them.
Finger Paint with Autumn Hues
If my daughter could do art all day long, she probably would. Finger painting is one of her favorite activities. After covering up your child’s clothes with a smock, take brown, orange, red, and yellow finger paints and let your child make a masterpiece.
Go on a Nature Scavenger Hunt
My daughter enjoys exploring. You’d be surprised how many colorful leaves and unique creatures my daughter and I have found minutes from our doorstep. Before going on a nature scavenger hunt, give your toddler a short list of items to find. In my neighborhood, I know that I can find lizards and yellow leaves in abundance. However, if you live in the Northwest, red leaves and pinecones might be something you are more likely to find.
Make a Leaf Collage
After your scavenger hunt, take some of your child’s favorite leaves for a leaf collage. First, flatten the leaves between the pages of a book. Then, allow your toddler to stick the leaves onto a piece of clear contact paper. When he or she is done, cover it with another piece of clear contact paper.
Go to the Local Pumpkin Patch
In my area, we have a wonderful pumpkin patch called Lombardi Ranch with acres of activities. The giant pumpkins and the stacks of hay are great fun to climb on. While the train rides and petting zoo costs more, admission to many pumpkin patches are free. Thus, this is a good place to go to get some fresh air and see the fall sights.
Story Time
When fall rolls around, many libraries have toddler story times. My daughter loves the story and, afterwards, there is often coloring or a craft. Check your local library for toddler and preschool story hours.
Fall Picnic Time
Gather up some of your toddler’s favorite fall foods. For me, it would be apples with peanut butter and some pumpkin bread. Bring a soft blanket and watch the leaves flutter down at your favorite picnic spot. If it’s too cold, bring your picnic inside!
Obstacle Course
Most toddlers I know are very active. Cooler temperatures are optimal for physical activity. Invite some of your toddler’s friends over for a backyard obstacle course. Use some old tires or hula-hoops for jumping through. Add some cones or plastics bowls to run around. At the end of the course, make a big pile of leaves for the kids to jump in.
Go Apple Picking
My daughter is lucky enough to have grandparents with their own fruit trees. Fruit and vegetable picking is a great way to teach your toddler where produce comes from. Many of us, however, don’t have the space to grow our own produce. Luckily, there are many local farms and orchards that allow you to pick your own fruit. In the fall, apples are a good choice because they are in abundance. Go to pickyourown.org to find a farm to visit. Afterwards, make an apple pie or applesauce.
Family Campout
If you live in Southern California like me, you can camp outdoors for most of the year. However, not everyone is so lucky. An indoor campout is a fun alternative. Set up a tent inside and have a family campout. Then, make indoor s’mores with graham crackers, chocolate frosting, and marshmallow fluff. Pick some great picture books for story time. When it gets dark, you can make shadow puppets on the inside of the tent walls.
Try out some of these activities and, before you know it, fall will be over.
Sources:
Personal Experience
pickyourown.org
lombardiranch.com
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