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Autumn activities for kids

Autumn activities to keep you exploring the great outdoors

Make your own compost

    Help tidy your garden, corner off an area of your garden with bamboo canes and windbreak netting.

    As the leaves fall add them to your new ‘bin’ remembering to water each layer as you go. 

     
    Create your own compost

Leaf Lanterns

    Using an old glass jar, such as a pasta sauce or jam jar, stick fallen leaves to the outside using modpodge glue.

    Works best with a thin layer of modpodge between the glass and leaves and then apply another on top of the whole design. Finish off with some twine around the top and a battery-operated light. 

Nature wands

    Using some cardboard, cut out a star shape, approx. 10cm wide. Around your garden look for a suitable stick that can become a wand handle and a selection of fallen leaves and cut the leaves up into piece. On one side of the star, stick your pieces of leaf to create a mosaic pattern. On the other fix on your stick. Your wand is complete.

    Why not try and find leaves in different colours to really make your design pop?

Nature snap cards

    Collect pairs of similar looking petals, flowers and leaves that have fallen. Spread them out over a newspaper. 

    Place another piece of paper over the top and a heavy book or two on top of that. After a week stick them on to some small card stock, to form your playing cards. 

      Nature snap cards

Stuffed apple crumbles

    Cut your apples in half and scoop out some of the insides to create a bowl. In a bowl mix together 30g flour, 30g oats, 2 teaspoons brown sugar, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, vanilla and pinch of salt. Using your fingers, rub about 30g of butter into the dry mixture until it resembles small pebbles. Stuff the mixture into the apple halves and bake until the apples are browned and tender, roughly 20-30 minutes, at 200C, gas mark 6.
    Makes two.

Mud kitchens and potions

    Using old pots and pans turn a section into a mud kitchen and get them creating potions. See what concoctions they can create using fallen petals, leaves and twigs. 

    Why not turn it into a science experience and see how different amounts of water and mud can change the consistency. 

    Image © Shutterstock

Fruit and veg picking

    Need an extra pair of hands during harvest, get them to help with the picking and collecting of the fruit and vegetables. 

     

Autumn wreaths

    Gather fallen twigs—thin ones work best—and gently bend and weave them to form a circular frame. This will serve as the foundation of your wreath. From here, let your creativity flow by embellishing it with leaves, seed pods, feathers, dried fruit or other natural elements.
    If you'd prefer a ready-made option, consider using a wire or rattan frame, available at most craft stores, and secure your decorations with wire or twine.

Leaf printing

    Gather a variety of leaves in different shapes and sizes, with flatter ones being ideal for printing. Apply paint to the underside of the leaf—where the veins are most prominent—as this will give you the best detail in your print. Press the painted side firmly onto a sheet of paper, then carefully lift the leaf to reveal the impression.
    Experiment with different patterns or use multiple leaves to create a larger design.
    Get creative and have fun with it.

Leafy people

    Use leaves of various shapes and sizes to craft unique characters. Experiment with different colored leaves to design clothing, hair, and accessories.

    For added fun, cut out your creations and attach them to lollipop sticks to make your own leaf puppets.

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