It’s fall, so it’s time to return to the swing. While the kids may be excited about the upcoming school year, parents may be less so. After all, the kids will be out of the house for long periods, and it’s hard to know how they’re doing without being there in person.
That’s where daycare comes in. If you’re a parent who works outside your home, daycare is a great way to keep your little ones busy, engaged, and stimulated while you’re away from them during the day. And if you’re lucky enough to have a good daycare facility, they can also teach important lessons about other people, their environment, and themselves!
One of the best ways daycare facilities can engage their students is through playtime activities. These activities will help provide both physical exercises as well as mental stimulation for toddlers because they involve learning new skills and concepts like cooperation or socialization with other children in their age group (or even older).
24 Easy Fall Craft Activities For Toddlers At Daycare
Fall is a great time for exploring nature and getting outside. Here are some fall activities for toddlers that will help them explore the outdoors and create beautiful art!
Handprint trees
Have each child dip their hand in paint and make handprints to create a tree trunk on paper. Then, use fall-colored tissue paper to create leaves and glue them onto the branches.
Paper plate scarecrows
Provide each child with a paper plate and materials such as construction paper, googly eyes, and yarn to create a scarecrow face. Then, use torn strips of fall-colored tissue paper to create the scarecrow’s hair and clothing.
Pinecone bird feeders
Have the children cover a pinecone with peanut butter, then roll it in birdseed. Tie a piece of string around the top of the pinecone and hang it outside for the birds to enjoy.
Apple prints
Cut an apple in half and let the children dip it in paint to create apple prints on paper. Use fall colors like red, orange, and yellow for the paint.
Cornucopia collages
Provide each child with a piece of paper and fall-colored construction paper. Have them cut out different fruits and vegetables from the construction paper and glue them onto it to create a cornucopia.
Tossing Leaves
This classic fall activity involves picking up leaves off the ground (and maybe even collecting them beforehand) and then tossing them into a pile. If your toddler is still learning about throwing, you can provide a big basket to collect all the leaves first, then have him put them in different piles. You can also help him make piles by asking what color sure leaves are. There are endless variations on this theme — pile them all together, create a leaf “bed” by placing leaves on top of each other, and arrange them into shapes or patterns.
Leaf Pictures
All you need is paint and paper! You could have each child paint their leaf picture or allow them to collaborate on one together. Afterward, hang their pictures up for display!
Tree Tracing
Again, all you need is paper and markers! Trace around a tree trunk with your toddler and talk about how big it is compared to them – then let them draw stars all over it before moving on to another tree! This is a great way to teach kids about size comparisons and help them develop fine motor skills through drawing!
Pumpkin Paintings
Painting pumpkins with your toddler is a great way to improve fine motor skills. If you don’t want to make messes everywhere, try using plastic pumpkins pre-painted with non-toxic paint that won’t stain surfaces when wet (this type of pumpkin comes in various colors). You can also use paper plates instead if you prefer not to worry about cleaning up!
Fingerprint Trees
This autumn activity is great because it requires no supplies other than nature provides — leaves. You will need at least two different paint colors (we used red and yellow), but if you want more autumn colors like orange or brown, feel free to use those as well. Once all of your paints are mixed up, take some of the more giant leaves (they should be large enough for your child to hold onto) and dip the tip of each one into the paint.
Leaf-Carving
If you have an artistic toddler, they may enjoy carving out shapes from leaves. Or you can make leaf rubbings to take home and display! This is also a great way to get kids outside while teaching them about nature.
Apple Picking
Get your little ones into the outdoors by apple picking together! Pick apples together and then return home to bake a delicious apple pie or apple crisp with your kids. It’s a guaranteed fun time for everyone involved!
Seed Cataloging
If you have any seeds left over from last year’s garden, now is a great time to catalog them to know what you need when it comes time to plant this spring. You can do this activity solo or with friends interested in gardening with their kids!
Collecting Acorns
This classic autumn activity allows kids to explore nature while being creative and artistic! All you need is a paper bag and some acorns; once you find some, ask your child what they are and how many he thinks there are in the area. Once he has enough (or if you want to limit it), have him put them inside the bag and count how many there are! Then have him explore his findings further by drawing pictures of them using crayons or markers — but don’t forget about the leaves! Autumn leaves are just as crucial as acorns, so gather some for this activity!
Stuffing Leaves
Leaves are exciting to collect because there are so many different kinds! Ask your child if she’d like to collect some leaves from outside, but make sure they’re not poisonous or harmful before allowing her to do so. Once she has found enough, have her stuff each leaf into one of her gloves until they’re all full, then take them off and count how many there were (you can both do it together!).
Coloring Leaves
This is another fun activity kids can do independently or with friends! To make leaves more colorful, you can use watercolor paints or even paint markers (which work exceptionally well on wet paper). You can also try attaching leaves after they’re colored so that your little one can make a collage out of them — this way, it’s like having two different activities in one!
Making Leaf Puppets
Leaf puppets are easy to make; you only need some construction paper and a leaf. You can use the templates below or draw your own.
Leaf Prints
Place a leaf on the paper and press it down with paint and paper towels. This will create a print of the veins of the leaf on the paper. You can also try this with different paint colors to create different patterns.
Leaf Rubbings
Cut leaves from construction paper, then use crayons or colored pencils to rub over them in different directions to create new colors or patterns.
Leaf Collages
Glue leaves onto cardboard or construction paper backgrounds and adds elements like string or buttons.
Painting With Natural Materials
Paint is not just for canvas anymore! Kids love getting messy with paint; natural materials like leaves and sticks are perfect for this activity. You can even let them paint on rocks or bark to avoid any mess on your table or floor.
Sensory bins
Fill a bin with fall-themed sensory items such as hay, leaves, and acorns. Let the children explore the items using their senses.
Plant flowers or veggies
Fall is a good time for planting flowers or vegetables. You can create a beautiful garden together by planting several flowers in one area or planting some vegetables in your yard. It’ll be fun watching the plants grow over the next few months!
Harvesting vegetables from the garden
Carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, and more – harvesting vegetables from the garden is fun and educational for toddlers! You can even try growing some pumpkins in your backyard if you’d like!
4 Significances Of Fall Activities For Toddlers At Daycare
Fall activities in daycare for toddlers have several significant benefits. Here are a few:
- Learning opportunities: Fall activities allow toddlers to learn about seasonal changes, such as the changing colors of leaves and the cooler weather. These activities also promote sensory exploration, creativity, and fine motor skills.
- Socialization: Participating in fall activities with other children can help toddlers develop social skills, such as sharing, taking turns, and communication.
- Physical activity: Fall activities often involve physical activity, such as nature walks and scavenger hunts. These activities promote gross motor skills and help toddlers develop coordination and balance.
- Emotional development: Fall activities can provide a sense of comfort and familiarity for toddlers who may be experiencing separation anxiety or adjusting to a new environment. These activities can also promote a sense of accomplishment and boost self-esteem.
How Do You Entertain A Toddler At Daycare?
Toddlers are the most difficult children to entertain. They have short attention spans and always want to do the same thing repeatedly. This can be challenging for a daycare provider, who needs to keep toddlers engaged while keeping everyone safe.
Fortunately, some great fall activities for toddlers will keep them happy and occupied throughout the day. Here are some ideas that you can use in your daycare center:
Paint With Water
This is one of the easiest ways to keep toddlers entertained at daycare. You only need a plastic tablecloth, watercolors, and paintbrushes (or other objects). Let your toddler dip his brush into the paint tray, then let him paint away! You can even add some food coloring to make it more fun!
Playdough Fun
Playdough is another excellent way for toddlers to express themselves creatively at daycare. You don’t need much for this activity — just a few cups of flour, salt, warm water, and a few food coloring containers (if desired). Your toddler will love squishing, rolling, and shaping this dough!
Fall fingerpainting
This is one of my favorite fall activities for toddlers because it’s super easy to set up and fun for kids! All you need is some paint and paper or foam stickers (if your child doesn’t like getting messy). Then dip your fingers in the paint and let your child press them onto the paper! Kids will love making designs with their hands! And don’t forget to include a few stickers as well — this makes it even more fun for them!
3 Easy Fall Craft Activities
Fall is a great time to get your kids in the craft-making mood. Here are some easy fall crafts that will make your child feel like they are creating something unique.
Here are some easy fall craft activities you can do with your toddler.
Dried Leaf Collage
Gather some dried leaves and rip them into small pieces. You can do this by hand or with scissors or clippers. If you use scissors, have an adult do it so you don’t accidentally cut yourself on jagged edges. Once your leaves are torn up, let your toddler glue them onto construction paper. You can even use a glue stick if they want to use their hands instead of a brush. The result will look just like autumn!
Paper Plate Pumpkins
This craft is best suited for toddlers still learning to use scissors or clippers without help from Mommy or Daddy. Have them draw shapes on a paper plate using markers or crayons, then have them cut out their shapes using safety scissors or clippers (again, make sure an adult does this part). Next, have them paint their pumpkins with tempera paints (or washable markers if they aren’t old enough for paint yet), then let them dry overnight.
Paper Plate Turkeys
This is another classic craft that children love making when they start using scissors independently! All you need for this activity is paper plates, feathers (grass or feathers from real or fake turkeys), glue, and construction paper for feathers. Kids will enjoy cutting out feathers and gluing them onto their turkey bodies! They can even paint the entire turkey body brown or white and then glue on the feathers for a more realistic look!
7 Printable Fall Activities
The following printable fall activities are designed to help your toddler explore the beauty of autumn. You can print these activities at home or take them along on your next trip to the park.
Printable Fall Coloring Pages
Coloring pages are a great way to keep your toddler busy while you’re busy. These free printable fall coloring pages feature a variety of seasonal scenes that will inspire your little artist.
Printable Fall Puzzles
Toddlers love puzzles! These free printable fall puzzles will allow your child to practice fine motor skills while learning about our world’s changing seasons. You can even use these puzzles as flashcards if you want extra reinforcement before moving on to more challenging puzzles later in the year!
Matching games
Print out fall-themed matching games, such as matching leaves or acorns.
Dot-to-dot
Print out dot-to-dot pages with fall-themed objects such as pumpkins or scarecrows.
Maze
Print out fall-themed mazes with objects such as apples or pumpkins.
Word search
Print out fall-themed word search puzzles with words related to the season, such as “an apple,” “pumpkin,” or “leaves.”
Cutting and tracing activities
Print out fall-themed worksheets that involve cutting and tracing activities, such as cutting out and pasting leaves or tracing the shapes of pumpkins.
14 Outdoor Fall Activities For Toddlers
Fall is a great time to get outside with your toddler and enjoy the changing leaves, crisp air, and seasonal activities. Here are some outdoor fall activities that are perfect for toddlers:
Visit a pumpkin patch
Take your toddler to a local pumpkin patch to pick out their pumpkin to carve or decorate. Many pumpkin patches also have other activities like hayrides and corn mazes that are perfect for toddlers.
Go on a nature walk
Take a walk with your toddler to explore the changing colors of the leaves, collect acorns and pinecones, and observe any wildlife you might see.
Play in a pile of leaves
Rake up a pile of leaves and let your toddler jump, roll, and play in them.
Make a scarecrow
Use old clothes and straws to make a scarecrow with your toddler. You can display it in your yard for a festive decoration.
Have a fall-themed picnic
Pack lunch and head to a park for a fall-themed picnic. Bring along pumpkin or apple-themed snacks and enjoy the outdoors.
Attend a fall festival
Many communities have fall festivals with food, games, and activities for kids. Check your local events calendar to find one near you.
Paint or decorate leaves
Collect some leaves and let your toddler paint or decorate them with glitter, stickers, or markers.
Visit an apple orchard
Take your toddler to an apple orchard to pick apples and enjoy a hayride or other activities. You can even use the apples to make a fun fall recipe together.
Plant bulbs for spring
Get your toddler involved in planting bulbs for spring flowers. They’ll love getting their hands dirty and seeing the flowers grow when spring comes around.
Go on a picnic
Picnics are always fun for kids and adults alike. Pack up some food and picnic in the park or at home. If you have a backyard, set up an outdoor blanket with snacks, drinks, and toys for your child to play with while you enjoy being outdoors.
Go on a hike!
Hiking is another great way to get into nature with your child while teaching them about nature and science. Hikes are also great for getting your toddler some exercise.
There are many different ways to go on a hike with your toddler, but here are some basic tips:
- Pack snacks and water for everyone in the family.
- Wear comfortable shoes that provide good traction.
- Bring along sunscreen if it’s sunny out!
- Remember to wear bug spray if there are bugs around!
- Enjoy the experience!
Go on a scavenger hunt
If you have a backyard or neighborhood, go on a scavenger hunt! Depending on your toddler’s age, you can make it as easy or complex as possible. They could help with the hunt if they’re older. They can still enjoy looking and trying to find things around the house or in their yard if they’re younger.
Lake Merritt has tons of options for kids
There are playgrounds, picnic areas, and even paddle boats! If you want to stay on one side of the lake, there is an excellent path just off Lakeshore Avenue that leads straight through the middle of everything. From there, you can see all sorts of wildlife (including ducks!) and beautiful views of downtown Oakland and San Francisco across the bay.
Play In The Dirt
Toddlers love playing in the dirt because it allows them to use their hands and interact with nature. They can dig holes in the garden or create mud pies in the sandbox. Let them go outside barefoot to feel how soft the earth feels underneath their feet!
What Are 5 Appropriate Activities For Toddlers?
Toddlers are a unique bunch. Their attention spans tend to be short, and they have a lot of energy to burn. When looking for daycare activities for toddlers, you need to think about the things that keep them happy and engaged without going overboard.
Here are five great options:
1. Playdough
2. Drawing
3. Puzzles
4. Coloring Books
5. Ball Pits
What Fall Fine Motor Activities?
Fall is a great time to engage in fine motor activities with children. Here are some ideas for fall-themed fine motor activities:
Pinecone bird feeders
Tie a string around a pinecone and spread peanut butter. Then, roll the pinecone in birdseed to create a bird feeder. This activity helps to develop hand-eye coordination and hand strength.
Apple stamping
Cut an apple in half and use it as a stamp to create apple prints on paper. This activity helps to develop hand-eye coordination and hand strength.
Fall-themed playdough
Make homemade and add fall-themed items like pumpkin pie spice or food coloring to make it festive. This activity helps to develop hand strength and fine motor control.
Threading leaves
Cut out leaf shapes from construction paper and use a hole punch to create holes around the edges. Give your child a string or yarn to thread through the holes to create a fall-themed necklace or bracelet. This activity helps to develop hand-eye coordination and fine motor control.
Sensory bins
Create a sensory bin filled with fall-themed items like acorns, pinecones, and leaves. Encourage your child to explore the different textures and shapes with their hands, which helps to develop fine motor skills.
Leaf sorting
Collect different colored leaves and encourage your child to sort them by color or size. This activity helps to develop hand-eye coordination and fine motor control.
Enjoy With Toddlers
This is designed as a professional article, so it might only be for some. If you’re looking for event handouts, this article is for someone else. This article is for parents and teachers looking to provide their children with the best preschool playtime experience. Find out how to tailor your child’s daycare fall activities to their needs.