50+ Fun Fall Activities for Preschoolers

Autumn is filled with natural beauty and sensory experiences that are perfect for curious little minds. From colorful leaves to crunchy apples and cozy crafts, there’s no shortage of opportunities to spark creativity and learning. So how can parents and teachers make the most of this magical time while keeping preschoolers engaged and growing?

In this post, we share a variety of fun fall activities for preschoolers that blend creativity, nature, and learning into every moment.

Fall Art Activities for Preschoolers​

Autumn is a wonderful season to spark creativity in young children. With its rich colors, natural textures, and seasonal themes, fall offers endless inspiration for artistic expression. Art fall activities during this time not only help preschoolers express themselves, but also support sensory development and fine motor skills.

Skills Developed:

• Fine motor control and hand-eye coordination
• Creative thinking and artistic expression
• Color, shape, and pattern recognition
• Self-expression and emotional development

1. Leaf Rubbing Art

Place a leaf under the paper, then have children gently rub the side of a crayon over the top. The shape and veins of the leaf will appear like magic! Kids can explore different leaf textures and colors while learning about symmetry and nature’s patterns.

Matériel nécessaire :

• Real leaves in different shapes and sizes (dried but not brittle)
• White drawing paper or construction paper
• Crayons or colored pencils (peeled for side-rubbing)

2. Apple Stamping

Dip the flat side of an apple into paint and stamp it onto paper. The shape left behind resembles a fall apple print! Children can make patterns, faces, or decorate tree shapes. This sensory fall activity also strengthens hand muscles and introduces fruit vocabulary.

Matériel nécessaire :

• Fresh apples cut in half (remove seeds)
• Washable tempera paint in fall colors
• Paper plates for paint trays and large sheets of paper

3. Pumpkin Seed Collage

Children use pumpkin seeds to decorate printed shapes like pumpkins, trees, or their own designs. They glue seeds in patterns, lines, or fill entire shapes. This quiet, focused fall activity is great for fine motor control and introduces the idea of using recycled natural materials in art.

Matériel nécessaire :

• Cleaned and dried pumpkin seeds
• Non-toxic liquid glue
• Cardboard, construction paper, or fall-themed cutouts

4. Fall Leaf Crown

Help children measure and fit a strip around their heads, then decorate it with leaves to create a festive autumn crown. As they choose and arrange their leaves, kids practice patterning, decision-making, and develop pride in creating wearable seasonal art.

Matériel nécessaire :

• Strips of construction paper or cardstock for headbands
• Real or faux fall leaves in a variety of colors
• Glue sticks or tape, optional stickers or glitter for extra decoration

5. Tissue Paper Fall Trees

Children glue crumpled or flat tissue paper onto tree templates to represent colorful fall leaves. This fall activity allows them to play with warm tones, layering, and composition. It supports color learning, planning, and tactile awareness all in one project.

Matériel nécessaire :

• Tree trunk outlines printed or drawn on paper
• Tissue paper in red, orange, yellow, and brown
• Liquid glue, glue sticks, and brushes

6. Corn Cob Rolling Art

Kids roll paint-covered corn cobs across paper to make bold, textured designs. The bumpy texture of the corn adds an exciting sensory element to the process. This creative fall activity encourages exploration of tools beyond brushes and builds gross motor coordination.

Matériel nécessaire :

• Dried corn cobs or corn on the cob
• Washable paint in fall colors (orange, brown, yellow)
• Butcher paper or large craft paper
• Aprons or old clothes to protect from paint

7. Pumpkin Suncatchers

Children use bits of tissue paper to fill pumpkin shapes cut from contact paper, creating glowing window decorations. This quiet, focused craft teaches shape recognition, color matching, and spatial awareness. When hung on a window, the suncatchers light up beautifully in the fall sun.

Matériel nécessaire :

• Clear contact paper cut into pumpkin shapes
• Tissue paper squares in orange, yellow, and red
• Black construction paper for outlines and jack-o’-lantern faces
• Ciseaux sans danger pour les enfants

8. Handprint Fall Wreaths

Preschoolers trace and cut out their handprints on colored paper, then glue them into a circular wreath. This fall activity is excellent for developing cutting and tracing skills while promoting creativity. Children feel proud seeing their own “hands” turned into a beautiful fall decoration.

Matériel nécessaire :

• Fall-colored construction paper (red, orange, yellow, brown)
• Pencil and child-safe scissors
• Glue stick or glue bottle
• Paper plate or cardboard ring as a wreath base

9. Scarecrow Paper Plate Craft

Preschoolers turn paper plates into scarecrow faces using construction paper, yarn, and glue. This hands-on fall activity allows kids to explore facial features, symmetry, and seasonal themes in a fun way. It’s great for developing scissor skills and personal expression.

Matériel nécessaire :

• Assiettes en carton
• Construction paper (brown, orange, yellow, etc.)
• Yarn for hair
• Glue, scissors, crayons or markers

10. Fall Tree Finger Painting

Children use their fingers to paint fall leaves onto bare tree outlines. The tactile experience supports sensory processing, while the repetitive dotting motion strengthens finger muscles. It’s a joyful, low-pressure way to explore color and creativity.

Matériel nécessaire :

• Tree outlines printed or hand-drawn on paper
• Washable finger paints in red, orange, and yellow
• Aprons or old shirts to protect clothing

Fall Science Activities for Preschoolers​

Fall provides a natural laboratory for preschoolers to explore basic scientific concepts through observation, prediction, and experimentation. Using seasonal materials like leaves, pumpkins, and changing weather, these hands-on fall activities foster curiosity and encourage scientific thinking from an early age.

Skills Developed:

• Observation and classification
• Cause and effect understanding
• Sensory investigation
• Introduction to scientific language and inquiry

11. Rain in a Jar

Ask children what kind of weather they notice in fall—are the skies cloudier, or do they see more rain? Fill the jar with water, add a fluffy layer of shaving cream on top, and carefully drip blue food coloring over the “cloud.” As the colored water seeps through the cream and falls into the jar, children observe how rain forms and falls from clouds. A simple and visual way to introduce the water cycle.

Matériel nécessaire :

• A clear jar or cup filled three-quarters with water
• Shaving cream (to represent clouds), applied as a layer on top of the water
• Blue food coloring diluted in water, applied with a dropper or spoon

12. Leaf Sink or Float Test

Let children predict whether each leaf will sink or float before placing it in water. Observe how size, shape, and moisture affect buoyancy. This fall activity encourages hypothesis-making and supports early critical thinking and science vocabulary like “absorb,” “float,” and “sink.”

Matériel nécessaire :

• A variety of fall leaves, both dry and freshly picked
• A clear tub or container filled with water
• Towel for drying, paper for recording guesses or results

13. Pumpkin Decomposition Jar

Place pumpkin pieces in a clear jar and seal it. Over the course of a week or two, children observe changes in color, texture, and smell. Discuss concepts such as decay, bacteria, and the natural life cycle of organic matter. Great for building observational habits and understanding nature’s processes.

Matériel nécessaire :

• Small pumpkin pieces (or a miniature pumpkin, cut open)
• A clear jar with a lid (mason jar or recycled container)
• Label, marker, and magnifying glass for daily observations

14. Leaf Color Change Experiment

Tear leaves into small pieces and place in jars with rubbing alcohol. After soaking, place a coffee filter strip into the jar and cover with plastic wrap. Over time, the pigments separate on the filter, showing how leaves contain multiple hidden colors. A wonderful introduction to chromatography and plant biology.

Matériel nécessaire :

• Several leaves (preferably green ones collected early in the season)
• Rubbing alcohol
• Clear jars or glasses, plastic wrap, and coffee filters

15. Pinecone Weather Watcher

Children place a pinecone outdoors and check it each day to observe whether it is open or closed. When the air is dry, the pinecone opens so it can release seeds into the environment. If the air is moist or rainy, the pinecone stays tightly closed to protect its seeds from getting damaged. This teaches children how plants respond to weather conditions.

Matériel nécessaire :

• One or more large, clean pinecones
• A shallow tray or a paper plate for setting a pinecone on
• Weather recording sheet or simple observation journal

16. Pumpkin Ice Melt Exploration

Children explore how to melt ice by experimenting with warm water, salt, or just waiting. The ice cubes contain pumpkin pieces, and as they melt, children observe how temperature and materials affect the rate of melting. This fall activity introduces the concepts of solid-to-liquid change and temperature influence.

Matériel nécessaire :

• Ice cube tray with frozen pumpkin chunks inside
• Warm water in small cups, salt, and plastic droppers
• A tray and a towel to contain the melting process

17. Apple Oxidation Investigation

Cut apples are exposed to air, and children observe how they turn brown over time. When dipped in lemon juice or salt water, the browning slows down. This demonstrates oxidation and how acids like lemon juice can delay the process by slowing the chemical reaction with oxygen.

Matériel nécessaire :

• Apple slices were divided into three test groups
• Lemon juice, salt water, and plain water for comparison
• Paper plates, labels, and an observation chart

18. Mini Pumpkin Volcano

Children fill a small hollow pumpkin with baking soda and pour vinegar to create a bubbling eruption. The fizzing reaction teaches them about how a base and an acid combine to release gas. This exciting fall activity is a safe introduction to chemical reactions.

Matériel nécessaire :

• Mini pumpkin with top removed and inside scooped
• Baking soda, white vinegar, and optional food coloring
• A tray or shallow container to hold the eruption

19. Fall Seed Sorting and Observation

Children explore and sort different types of seeds, such as pumpkin, corn, and sunflower. By examining their size, texture, and color, they learn how each seed carries the potential to grow into a plant. This encourages early understanding of plant life and classification.

Matériel nécessaire :

• A variety of real fall seeds (e.g., pumpkin, corn, sunflower)
• Sorting trays or muffin tins for organizing
• Magnifying glass and seed labels or cards

20. Acorn Sprouting Exploration

Collect fresh acorns and place them in damp paper towels to watch them sprout. This simple fall activity introduces plant life cycles and gives children a chance to care for something over time. It’s perfect for combining science with responsibility.

Matériel nécessaire :

• Fresh acorns
• Damp paper towels
• Ziplock bags or small containers
• Window sill or sunny area

Fall Math Activities for Preschoolers​

Math is all around us in the fall season. These playful fall activities help preschoolers build number sense, recognize patterns, and practice measurement using familiar seasonal materials. Each hands-on experience turns math into something they can see, touch, and enjoy.

Skills Developed:

• Counting and one-to-one correspondence
• Sorting, classifying, and comparing
• Pattern recognition and sequencing
• Measurement, estimation, and basic graphing

21. Pumpkin Counting Mats

Children place small counters or real pumpkin seeds onto numbered spaces on printable pumpkin mats. This reinforces number recognition, one-to-one correspondence, and counting through tactile interaction with a fall-themed material.

Matériel nécessaire :

• Printed pumpkin counting mats with numbers 1–10
• Pumpkin seeds or small fall-themed counters
• Laminator or sheet protectors for reuse

22. Leaf Size Sorting

Provide children with leaves of various sizes and let them sort them into categories: small, medium, and large. As they compare and organize, they develop early skills in classification and visual discrimination.

Matériel nécessaire :

• Fresh or dried leaves in a range of sizes
• Sorting trays labeled “small,” “medium,” and “large”
• Ruler or measuring tape for optional extension

23. Acorn Estimation Jar

Fill a jar with acorns and let children estimate how many are inside before counting them together. Discuss who guessed closest and compare amounts. This introduces estimation, quantity comparison, and number recognition.

Matériel nécessaire :

• Clear jar filled with clean acorns
• Blank slips for writing guesses
• Chart paper to record each estimate and final count

24. Pumpkin Seed Counting

Children count real or plastic pumpkin seeds and place them on ten frames or inside numbered pumpkins. It supports counting, number sense, and one-to-one correspondence in a hands-on way. Plus, they love using real pumpkin seeds!

Matériel nécessaire :

• Clean pumpkin seeds
• Printable ten frames or pumpkin mats
• Tweezers (optional for fine motor development)

25. Fall Shape Scarecrow

Kids build scarecrows using basic geometric shapes (circle face, triangle hat, square body, etc.), learning to recognize and name shapes. This fun art-meets-math fall activity also supports spatial awareness and early geometry.

Matériel nécessaire :

• Pre-cut shapes from colored paper
• Scarecrow outline or mat
• Glue sticks

26. Measuring with Leaves

Children use leaves as nonstandard units to measure classroom items such as books, tables, or shoes. They count how many leaves long or tall each item is, which strengthens understanding of measurement and number sequence.

Matériel nécessaire :

• Large sturdy leaves (or laminated paper leaf cutouts)
• Items in the room to measure
• Recording sheet with space to draw or write results

Fall Literacy Activities for Preschoolers​

Fall is a great time to explore letters, sounds, and storytelling through seasonal experiences. By using leaves, apples, pumpkins, and fall-themed books, children can build key compétences en littératie while enjoying the colors and symbols of autumn. These fall activities make reading and writing fun, hands-on, and meaningful.

Skills Developed:

• Letter recognition and phonemic awareness
• Vocabulary building with seasonal words
• Story comprehension and sequencing
• Fine motor preparation for writing

27. Pumpkin Patch Word Match

Set up a pretend pumpkin patch using paper pumpkins with letters or simple words. Children pick a pumpkin and try to match it with a corresponding picture card or another pumpkin with the same beginning sound. This helps them connect letters and sounds while having fun.

Matériel nécessaire

• Orange paper pumpkins or small plastic pumpkins
• Picture cards of fall objects (apple, corn, rake, etc.)
• Markers or stickers for labeling

28. Apple Tree Rhyming Game

Create an apple tree on a bulletin board and place apples with different words on them. Children take turns picking apples and finding rhyming pairs. This encourages phonemic awareness and helps preschoolers notice word patterns in a playful context.

Matériel nécessaire

• Red and green paper apples
• Large paper tree trunk and branches for display
• Word list or simple rhyming pairs (cat/hat, leaf/beef)

29. Storytime with Fall Books

Lire seasonal picture books about autumn leaves, pumpkins, or harvest festivals. After reading, ask open-ended questions to help children recall details, retell events, and describe characters. This strengthens comprehension and expressive language.

Matériel nécessaire

• Fall-themed picture books (fiction and nonfiction)
• Comfortable reading area with cushions
• Question cards or puppets for discussion prompts

30. Scarecrow Name

Children decorate paper scarecrows and then attach letter cards to spell out their names. As they build their names, they also practice letter recognition, sequencing, and a sense of ownership over their literacy learning.

Matériel nécessaire

• Scarecrow templates or coloring pages
• Alphabet cards or letter cutouts
• Glue, scissors, and crayons

31. Harvest Story Circle

Children sit in a circle and take turns adding a sentence to a fall-themed group story. For example, one starts with “The farmer picked a pumpkin,” and others continue. This develops creativity, listening, and narrative sequencing.

Matériel nécessaire

• A soft fall object (like a small pumpkin) to pass around
• Story starter cards with fall themes
• An optional audio recorder to capture the story

Stem Fall Activities for Preschoolers​

STEM learning in preschool combines science, technology, engineering, and math through hands-on exploration. Fall provides the perfect backdrop for building, testing, predicting, and problem-solving with natural and seasonal materials. These fall activities encourage curiosity and help children understand how things work in the world around them.

Skills Developed:

• Basic engineering and design thinking
• Scientific observation and experimentation
• Counting, measuring, and estimating
• Cause and effect reasoning and problem-solving

32. Build a Leaf Bridge

Children use sticks, leaves, and other natural materials to build a small bridge between two objects. They test if toy animals or blocks can cross it without collapsing. This fall activity introduces balance, structure, and simple engineering.

Matériel nécessaire :

• Sticks, leaves, bark, and other fall nature items
• Blocks or small toys to test the bridge
• Flat surface with two support points (like boxes or rocks)

33. Pumpkin Pulley Exploration

Set up a simple pulley system using a string and a small bucket. Children work together to lift small pumpkins using the pulley, discovering how tools can make lifting easier. This fall activity introduces basic mechanics and teamwork.

Matériel nécessaire :

• Small pumpkin or weighted object
• Rope or string, a small bucket, and a pulley wheel
• Stable structure to hang the pulley from (e.g., sturdy chair or bar)

34. Apple Tower Challenge

Using apples and toothpicks, children try to build the tallest freestanding tower they can. They test how to balance and support their structure, learning early engineering concepts like stability and weight.

Matériel nécessaire :

• Small apples or apple chunks
• Toothpicks or craft sticks
• Measuring tape or ruler for tower height

35. Corn Kernel Ramp Test

Children roll corn kernels down ramps at different angles and surfaces to test which is fastest. They compare how texture, height, or incline affects speed. This teaches early experimentation and data comparison.

Matériel nécessaire :

• Corn kernels or acorns for rolling
• Cardboard, wood, or plastic ramps
• Stopwatch or visual comparison chart

36. Build a Pumpkin Shelter

Children build a small shelter or “house” to protect a mini pumpkin using blocks, sticks, cups, or cloth. They test its strength and stability by gently blowing or shaking the surface. This encourages creativity and structural thinking.

Matériel nécessaire :

• Mini pumpkins
• Variety of building materials (LEGO, wooden blocks, nature items)
• Fan or straw for light testing simulation

37. Acorn Balance Experiment

Give children a balance scale and a collection of acorns and small fall items. They explore how many acorns equal the weight of different objects. This introduces weight comparison and number relationships.

Matériel nécessaire :

• Balance scale (store-bought or homemade)
• Acorns and small seasonal items (pinecones, mini pumpkins, etc.)
• Chart to record weights and comparisons

Gross Motor Fall Activities for Preschoolers​

Fall provides the perfect opportunity to take movement-based learning outdoors. With natural materials like leaves, apples, and pumpkins, preschoolers can engage in seasonal activities that build essential gross motor foundations. These fall activities help children move with purpose, develop strength, and improve control over their bodies.

Skills Developed:

• Locomotor skills such as running, jumping, and skipping
• Balance and coordination during movement challenges
• Manipulative skills like tossing, pushing, and catching
• Body and spatial awareness in varied movement tasks
• Strength and endurance through repetitive whole-body play

38. Leaf Pile Jumping

Create a large pile of dry leaves and allow children to take turns running and jumping into it. This simple fall activity strengthens leg muscles and coordination while offering joyful seasonal sensory input.

Matériel nécessaire :

• Large collection of dry leaves (real or artificial)
• Outdoor space with a soft landing area
• Rake or tarp for gathering and reshaping piles

39. Pumpkin Rolling Race

Children push small pumpkins along a marked path or toward a target. They must crouch, use their arms, and control direction, helping build balance and upper-body strength through playful competition.

Matériel nécessaire :

• Small, round pumpkins that roll easily
• Cones or tape to mark start and end points
• Stopwatch (optional) for timed races

40. Scarecrow Pose Freeze Dance

Play music while children dance, skip, or march. When the music stops, they freeze in a “scarecrow pose” with arms out and legs apart. This helps children improve body control, balance, and the ability to transition quickly between movement and stillness.

Matériel nécessaire :

• Music
• Scarecrow hat or image for thematic fun (optional)
• Large space for dancing

41. Pumpkin Toss Target Game

Children toss small pumpkins, beanbags, or balls toward different targets like buckets or hoops placed at varying distances. This builds aim, hand-arm coordination, and strength as they adjust for direction and power.

Matériel nécessaire :

• Mini pumpkins or beanbags
• Targets: buckets, baskets, or floor markers
• Tape or cones for throwing line

42. Fall Animal Movement Parade

Call out fall animals and invite children to mimic how they move—waddle like a turkey, hop like a squirrel, stomp like a bear. These imaginative motions build strength, flexibility, and spatial awareness while encouraging active listening.

Matériel nécessaire :

• Animal picture cards or prompts
• Large space for free movement
• Optional music or drumbeat for marching rhythm

43. Apple Picking Relay

Set up baskets with pretend apples across a space and have kids race to “pick” and return apples to their baskets. Add counting, color sorting, or balance tasks to increase challenge. This fall activity develops speed, agility, and cognitive-motor coordination.

Matériel nécessaire :

• Plastic or felt apples
• Baskets or buckets
• Cones or tape to mark the course

44. Rake and Collect Game

Give children kid-size rakes and have them “rake” paper or foam leaves into piles or containers. This mimics real yard work while building upper-body strength, motor planning, and teamwork skills. Bonus: it’s a great pre-writing arm workout!

Matériel nécessaire :

• Toy rakes
• Artificial leaves
• Laundry baskets or bins

45. Acorn Spoon Balance Walk

Children balance an acorn on a spoon and walk across a line, path, or obstacle course. They must adjust their speed, focus, and grip to keep the object from falling, which improves core strength and steady gait.

Matériel nécessaire :

• Spoons (plastic or metal)
• Acorns
• Masking tape or rope to mark walking paths

Fall Cooking Activities for Preschoolers​

Cooking with preschoolers in the fall brings together seasonal flavors, hands-on learning, and sensory-rich experiences. These simple, safe fall activities help children explore textures, practice measuring, and develop independence in the kitchen.

Skills Developed:

• Fine motor skills through mixing, spreading, and pouring
• Basic counting and measuring
• Following simple step-by-step instructions
• Sensory awareness through texture, taste, and smell
• Confidence and independence in preparing food

46. No-Bake Pumpkin Pie Cups

Children help mix canned pumpkin with whipped topping and cinnamon, then spoon it into cups and top with crushed graham crackers. This cool and creamy dessert is easy to assemble and introduces them to classic fall flavors.

Matériel nécessaire :

• Canned pumpkin puree
• Whipped topping and graham crackers
• Small cups and plastic spoons

47. Apple Slice Decorating

Children decorate apple slices with spreads like peanut butter, cream cheese, or yogurt and add toppings such as granola, raisins, or sprinkles. This encourages creativity while practicing spreading and sprinkling motions.

Matériel nécessaire :

• Apple slices, washed and pre-cut
• Yogurt, nut/seed butter, or cream cheese
• Small bowls of toppings like granola and dried fruit

48. Pumpkin Yogurt Parfaits

Layer pumpkin puree, vanilla yogurt, and granola into clear cups to make festive parfaits. Preschoolers scoop and layer the ingredients themselves, practicing spatial awareness and sequencing. It’s a nutritious, no-cook fall snack!

Matériel nécessaire :

• Vanilla yogurt, pumpkin puree, granola
• Clear cups and spoons
• Small bowls for scooping

49. Fall Trail Mix Station

Set up a snack station with different fall-themed dry ingredients. Children scoop or pour their selections into bags or cups. This supports fine motor development and self-regulation in choosing healthy portions.

Matériel nécessaire :

• Bowls of pretzels, cereal, dried fruit, candy corn, seeds
• Scoops or measuring cups
• Snack bags or small cups

50. Mini Apple Sandwiches

Children layer apple slices with spreads and add raisins or mini chocolate chips before stacking a second slice on top. This snack is sweet, crunchy, and full of opportunities for counting and building.

Matériel nécessaire :

• Thin apple slices
• Spreads: nut butter or yogurt
• Toppings: raisins, mini chocolate chips

Conclusion

Fall is a season full of color, change, and opportunity for exploration. With the right guidance, these moments can become powerful learning experiences for young children. From creative art projects to hands-on science and movement games, fall activities for preschoolers support growth in every developmental area.

Teachers and parents are encouraged to bring the spirit of the season into their classrooms and homes. By offering children meaningful fall-themed activities, we help them connect with nature, build essential skills, and enjoy learning through play. Let this autumn be a time of joyful discovery, where each leaf, pumpkin, and breeze becomes part of a child’s journey.