Fall is a season filled with natural beauty and opportunities for learning. As the weather cools, leaves change color, and pumpkins ripen, it presents an ideal time to engage children in fun fall activities that are both enjoyable and educational.

For parents, particularly those who homeschool, finding activities that combine fun with learning can sometimes be a challenge. However, the fall season offers numerous creative options that not only entertain but also promote hands-on learning experiences.

In this blog post, we will highlight 15 engaging fun fall activities designed to inspire curiosity and foster development in children, making the most of this wonderful season.

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1. Leaf Rubbing

Leaf rubbing is a great activity that helps kids learn about the different types of leaves. All you need are some leaves, paper, and crayons.

Place the leaf under the paper and use the crayon to rub over it. The details of the leaf will appear on the paper.

Let your child identify the leaves and the different types of trees they come from using a field guide or book.

2. Apple Picking

Apple picking is a perfect fall activity. It’s a fun way to get outside and enjoy the crisp fall air. Plus, you get to bring home delicious apples to make into pies or apple sauce.

While apple picking, take the opportunity to explain to your child how apples grow and teach them how to identify different types of apples.

>>> Planning an apple unit study is a good way to teach their lifecycle and other interesting facts about apples.

3. Nature Scavenger Hunt

A nature scavenger hunt is a perfect way to get your kids outside and exploring.

Create a list of nature items for your child to find. This can include items such as acorns, pine cones, or sticks of a certain length. As they find each item, they can check it off the list. It’s a great way to get your kids excited about the diversity of nature.

>>>For more info, check out our ready-made Fall Scavenger Hunt Printable.

4. Pumpkin Painting

Pumpkin painting is a fun alternative to pumpkin carving. You can let your child express their creativity by painting their pumpkin in their own unique style. This activity is perfect for kids of all ages.

The best paint to use for this activity is acrylic paints. It's quick-drying, easy to use and clean up.

5. Corn Maze

A corn maze is a fun and engaging activity for kids. They can work on problem-solving and navigation as they navigate the maze. It’s a great way to get your kids moving and thinking at the same time.

6. Scarecrow Building

Scarecrow building is a fun and creative activity for kids. You can use items around the house or outside to create a scarecrow that reflects your child’s personality.

While building the scarecrow, you can teach your child about the purpose of scarecrows and how they help protect crops.

7. Harvest Festival

Many communities host harvest festivals in the fall. These festivals are a great way for kids to learn about the different types of crops grown in their area and the importance of farming.

They can also enjoy fun activities such as pumpkin carving and tractor rides.

8. Baking Fall Treats

Fall is the perfect season for baking. Let your kids help you make delicious fall treats such as pumpkin bread or apple pie.

Along the way, they can learn about the different ingredients that go into the recipe and how to measure them properly.

9. Fall Nature Crafts

Collect twigs, acorns, pinecones, and leaves and use them to create fall nature crafts. You can make leaf rubbings, pinecone wreaths, or twig picture frames.

10. Pumpkin Carving

Carving pumpkins is a great way to spend a fall afternoon together.

You can make it even more educational by discussing the plant growth cycle, how things decompose, and the history behind pumpkin carving.

What to Do With All Those Pumpkin Seeds?

Pumpkin seeds offer a variety of educational opportunities once the pumpkin has been carved. Here are some fun and creative ways kids can explore math, science, art, and even cooking using pumpkin seeds:

• Math - have children estimate the number of seeds, count, sort, and group the seeds by size or shape.

• Science - kids can observe the life cycle of plants by planting the seeds in soil, learning about germination and plant growth.

• Cooking - roasting the seeds provides a fun culinary project, where children can learn about nutrition, following recipes, and measuring ingredients.

• Art - pumpkin seeds can be used for art projects—gluing them onto paper to create textured artwork or using them to make patterns that reinforce early math concepts like symmetry.

  

11. Fall Gardening

Planting fall-friendly plants in your garden is a great way to get your kids interested in gardening and teach them about growing plants.

You can plant pumpkins, sunflowers and even herbs that are picked for their fragrance and seasoning qualities.

12. Leaf Pile Jumping

Of course, one of the most fun fall activities is leaf pile jumping.

Rake up a pile of leaves and watch your kids jump into them with delight. It’s a great way to get outside and enjoy the beauty of the fall season.

13. Outdoor Movie Night

Fall nights can be perfect for outdoor movie nights. Set up a projector and screen in your backyard and let your kids enjoy a fun movie while snuggled up in blankets. It’s a great way to end a long day of fall activities.

14. Fall Seasonal Reading

Encourage your kids to read autumn-themed books. This activity can help them develop their language and comprehension skills while also teaching them about different cultures and stories from around the world.

15. Halloween Spooky Slime

Halloween provides a perfect opportunity to experiment with science.

You can make some spooky Halloween-themed slime using Borax and Elmer's White School Glue.

You can also use PVA glue - PVA stands for Polyvinyl Acetate which is a non toxic substance found in wood glue.

How to Make Spooky Halloween Slime

Ingredients:

• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon Borax powder

• 1/2 cup white glue or PVA glue

• 2 half-cups of water (for a total of 1 cup)

• 2-3 drops food coloring

• Halloween glitter or confetti

Directions:

• Dissolve the Borax powder into the warm water.

• Mix the half-cup of water with half a cup of white or PVA glue and let that dissolve.

• Combine the Borax solution, food coloring, glitter, and the glue solution in a mixing bowl and use your hands to knead this new, weird substance. Your slime will form quickly.

What's the science behind slime?

Glue is comprised of long, repeating molecule strands. The boric acid (borate) ions combine with the glue to form a stretchy polymer. Slime is half liquid and half solid - known as a Non-Newtonian fluid.

Conclusion:

Fall offers a unique opportunity to engage children in fun fall activities that are both educational and enriching. From leaf rubbings that explore nature’s beauty to creative projects like pumpkin painting, the season is filled with ways to stimulate curiosity and creativity. Whether it's an outdoor movie night under the crisp autumn sky or a hands-on nature walk, these activities not only entertain but also foster learning and personal growth.

By embracing the vibrant colors and cool weather, families can create cherished memories while taking advantage of the many educational opportunities the season provides. So, gather your loved ones, step outside, and fully immerse yourselves in all the fun and wonder that fall has to offer.

Go here to read our post 10 Exciting Fall STEM Activities to Spark Kids' Curiosity!