Fall is the perfect time to head outdoors with your kids and enjoy the cooler weather, colorful leaves, and seasonal fun. Whether you’re looking for simple activities to keep toddlers busy or ways to burn off energy with older kids, there’s no shortage of ideas that embrace the magic of autumn.
From leaf pile jumping to nature scavenger hunts, these activities are easy to set up, budget-friendly, and guaranteed to create lasting memories. Let’s dive into some simple outdoor fall activities for kids that your family will love!
Why I Love Being Outdoors with my Kids in the Fall
I love getting outside with my kids in the fall because everything feels fresh and exciting. The air is crisp and the leaves crunch under our feet—it’s like nature’s playground! Watching my kids explore, from collecting acorns to jumping in piles of leaves, makes me appreciate the season even more.
Plus, it’s an easy way to burn off energy while soaking in the beautiful colors and cooler weather. Fall is perfect for simple moments like these that bring us all closer together.
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Easy Outdoor Fall (Autumn) Activities for Young Kids (Toddlers & Preschoolers)
Fall is the perfect time to get outside with your little ones and enjoy the crisp air, colorful leaves, and endless seasonal fun. These easy outdoor activities for kids, including toddlers and preschoolers, are simple to set up, budget-friendly, and full of opportunities for exploration and play!
1. Nature Scavenger Hunt
Create a simple checklist of items like colorful leaves, acorns, pinecones, or rocks. Kids can collect them while exploring nature. You can download my nature hunt here.
2. Leaf Pile Fun
Rake up a pile of leaves and let kids jump, toss, and play in them. As a bonus, have them help rake for a sense of accomplishment.
3. Pumpkin Painting
Set up a mini outdoor pumpkin painting station. This is less messy than carving and great for little hands. Here are some unique ways to decorate pumpkins.
4. Fall-Themed Obstacle Course
A fall-themed obstacle course is a fun, seasonal activity that can incorporate autumn elements into a physical challenge. Kids can jump over “hay bales” (pillows or boxes), crawl under “spiderwebs” made of string, and weave through “pumpkin patches” (cones or small pumpkins). It’s a fantastic way to keep children active while celebrating the cozy, festive vibes of fall.
5. Outdoor Fall Picnic
Pack some fall snacks like apple slices, cheese, or pumpkin muffins and enjoy them in the backyard or at a park.
6. Collect and Sort Leaves
Children can gather leaves of different shapes, sizes, and colors, then sort them into groups based on these features. It’s a great way to teach observation skills, celebrate the beauty of autumn, and even incorporate a bit of science learning!
7. Nature Art
Provide glue, paper, and collected natural items like leaves and sticks to create fall-themed collages or pictures. Kids can make leaf rubbings with crayons, press flowers onto paper for bookmarks, create nature bracelets, or arrange pebbles and sticks to design unique nature collages. These crafts combine creativity with outdoor exploration, making them perfect for hands-on fun and connecting with nature.
8. Shadow Tag
Shadow tag is a twist on the classic game of tag, where players try to tag each other’s shadows instead of their bodies. One person is “it” and must step on another player’s shadow to tag them, making them the new “it.” This fun and active game is perfect for sunny days and adds an exciting challenge as players dodge and move to protect their shadows.
9. Apple Picking
Visit a local orchard for an outdoor adventure. Many orchards also offer kid-friendly activities like hayrides.
Related: Try apple stamping with some of the apples you pick!
10. Bird Watching
Set up a simple bird feeder or sprinkle seeds on the ground and observe which birds come to visit. You could also build these homemade bird feeders.
11. Fall Sensory Walk
A fall sensory walk is the perfect way to soak in all the magic of the season with your kiddos. Picture them crunching through colorful leaves, giggling as they feel the bumpy texture of bark, and sniffing the crisp autumn air mixed with hints of pine. It’s a simple, screen-free adventure that turns an ordinary walk into a full-on fall experience they’ll love.
12. Wagon Rides
Take a stroll while pulling your child in a wagon. Add a blanket and some small pumpkins or leaves to make it festive.
13. Corn Kernel Sensory Play
Fill a shallow bin with dried corn kernels, scoops, and cups. Let kids dig, pour, and explore the texture for some hands-on fall fun. Here are some ideas for what to add:
- Scoopers and Containers: Measuring cups, spoons, funnels, and bowls for scooping, pouring, and dumping.
- Toy Farm Animals: Cows, pigs, or tractors to create a mini farm scene.
- Natural Elements: Small pumpkins, pinecones, and leaves for a seasonal touch.
- Construction Vehicles: Toy dump trucks and excavators to dig and transport kernels.
- Hidden Treasures: Bury small objects like acorns, toy bugs, or alphabet letters for kids to find.
- Craft Supplies: Feathers, pipe cleaners, or googly eyes to make “corn critters” from kernels.
- Color Exploration: Add colored corn kernels or food-safe dyes to make it extra vibrant.
14. Acorn or Pinecone Toss
Set up a target, like a hula hoop or bucket, and let kids toss acorns or pinecones into it. You can make it competitive by varying distances.
15. Nature Crown Making
Collect leaves, small flowers, and twigs. Help your kids attach them to a strip of paper or cardboard to create their own autumn-themed crown.
16. Pumpkin Roll Race
Set up a racecourse and let your kids race small pumpkins by rolling them with their hands. This fun, active game helps build motor skills while embracing the season’s pumpkin theme.
17. Leaf Blow Painting
Drop small amounts of liquid watercolors or paint onto a piece of paper and have your preschooler blow on the paint with a straw to spread it around. The result is a beautiful, abstract piece of fall art that’s fun to create and unique every time.
Fun Outdoor Fall & Nature Activities for Older Kids
As the weather cools and the leaves change, fall is the perfect time for older kids to explore the great outdoors and connect with nature. These fun and engaging outdoor fall activities for kids encourage creativity, adventure, and time away from screens while making the most of the season.
18. Geocaching Adventures
Use a GPS or smartphone app to hunt for hidden “treasures” in your area. This activity combines outdoor exploration with problem-solving and a sense of adventure.
19. DIY Nature Photography Challenge
Give them a camera or smartphone and set a challenge to capture fall-themed photos, like colorful leaves, wildlife, or scenic landscapes. They can even create a fall photo album or collage afterward. You also do a regular nature scavenger hunt – you can download that here.
20. Build a Leaf Maze or Obstacle Course
Rake leaves into paths to form a maze or create an obstacle course using natural materials like logs, sticks, and rocks. It’s a great way to get them active and creative.
21. Apple or Pumpkin Slingshot
If you have a safe, open space, set up a slingshot using bungee cords and let them launch small apples or mini pumpkins into a target area.
22. Campfire Cooking & Storytelling
Teach them how to build a safe campfire (with supervision), roast marshmallows, and share spooky or funny stories. It’s a fun way to spend an autumn evening outdoors.
23. Nature Art Installations
Encourage them to gather sticks, leaves, and rocks to create temporary art pieces, like sculptures or mandalas, inspired by the season. Rock painting would be another fun way to do “installations”.
24. Leaf Identification & Pressing
Leaf identification and pressing is a fun, hands-on way to learn about trees while preserving a bit of autumn’s beauty. Kids can collect leaves, use guidebooks or apps to identify them, and press them between heavy books or in a leaf press to dry. Once pressed, the leaves can be used for crafts, displayed in journals, or kept as keepsakes of their fall adventures.
25. Explore a Corn Maze or Haunted Trail
Take them to a local farm or fall festival to navigate a corn maze or enjoy a spooky outdoor trail.
26. Star Gazing with a Fall Twist
On clear fall nights, stargazing becomes extra special. Bring blankets and snacks and see how many constellations they can find.
27. Build a Shelter or Fort
Challenge them to build a fort using branches, leaves, and other natural materials. It’s a fun activity that also teaches problem-solving and teamwork.
28. Mushroom or Fungi Hunting
Explore local woods or parks to spot different types of mushrooms and fungi. Bring along a field guide for identification (remind them not to touch or eat anything).
29. Kite Flying in Autumn Breezes
Kite flying is not just for the spring. Fall’s brisk winds make it a great time for kite flying. Older kids can even try making their own kite before heading outside.
30. Build a Bug Hotel
Gather natural materials like sticks, pinecones, and bark to create a cozy “hotel” for bugs. It’s a mix of crafting and science exploration.
31. Outdoor Chalk Obstacle Course
Use chalk to draw a big obstacle course on a driveway or sidewalk, with challenges like hopping on one foot, spinning, or running between lines.
Related: Fun Sidewalk Chalk Ideas
32. Fishing or Pond Exploration
Head to a local lake, river, or pond for fishing or exploring aquatic life with nets and buckets. Teach them basic fishing or observation skills.
33. Plan a Night Hike with Flashlights
Take a flashlight or headlamp and go for a night hike. It’s an adventurous way to explore nature in a new light and look for nocturnal animals.
34. Collect and Smash Fall Fruit for Composting
Gather fallen fruit from trees and use it for composting. It’s messy, fun, and teaches sustainability.
35. Create a DIY Scarecrow
Use old clothes, straw, and natural materials to craft a scarecrow. Challenge them to come up with a fun or spooky design. Buy this cute scarecrow kit from Amazon.
36. Go To a Fall Festival
Visiting a fall festival is a wonderful way to immerse yourself in the cozy, festive atmosphere of the autumn season. These festivals often feature a mix of outdoor activities, games, and food that make it easy for families to enjoy quality time together.
Which outdoor fall activities for kids from the list above do you think you will be trying first?
Fall is a magical time to get outdoors with your kids and enjoy the crisp air, vibrant colors, and seasonal fun. Whether you’re exploring nature, crafting with leaves, or playing active games in the yard, these simple activities create special moments and lasting memories.
The beauty of fall is that it offers so many opportunities for connection and creativity, all while soaking up the changing season. Outdoor play not only keeps kids engaged and active, but also nurtures their curiosity and love for nature. So, grab your sweaters, head outside, and make the most of this wonderful time of year. With a little imagination, every fall day can become an adventure filled with joy and discovery for the whole family.
More fall-themed activities for kids you might like:
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