Fall is here, and with it comes the cool breeze, colorful leaves, and so many opportunities for fun adventures with your little onFall is here, and with it comes the cool breeze, colorful leaves, and so many opportunities for fun adventures with your little ones. As a mom of three, I love finding ways to make the most of each season, creating memories without the stress. Today, I’m sharing a simple fall bucket list with 15 fun fall activities for toddlers that will keep your little ones entertained and excited about the beauty of autumn.
This fall bucket list is all about exploring the season with your toddlers—enjoying those crisp outdoor moments, getting messy with crafts, and savoring all the delicious flavors of fall.
Be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom to download your free fall activity tracker for toddlers that corresponds with this post!!
But before we dive into these fall activities for toddlers, who is Sid Anyway?
Hey there! I’m Sid, juggling life as a mom of three little ones (all under three!) and wife to the best guy I met on Hinge. “At Home with the Sikorski’s” is where I share our tips, tricks, and stories about making home life awesome—from motherhood and homeschooling to DIY projects and keeping our marriage strong.
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Now, let’s get into these fall activity ideas for toddlers!
1. Jump in a Pile of Leaves
There’s nothing quite like the joy on a toddler’s face when they jump into a big pile of crunchy leaves. It’s a classic activity, and it never gets old! Gather up those fallen leaves, make the biggest pile you can, and let them go for it. Plus, it’s a great way to get them involved in raking up the yard, even if it’s just for fun.
2. Visit a Pumpkin Patch
Visiting a pumpkin patch is one of the quintessential fall activities for toddlers. Whether it’s wandering through the rows to find the perfect pumpkin or taking a little hayride, pumpkin patches offer tons of seasonal charm. Let your toddler choose a pumpkin—big or small—it makes the experience even more special.
Must Have Pumpkin Patch Essentials
Some of my favorite things to help make going to the pumpkin patch *a little* bit less chaotic. Including my favorite (and more affordable) stroller wagon + cutie t’s/onesies for your little to wear!
3. Bake Apple Treats Together
The kitchen can be such a magical place in the fall. Bring your little one into the kitchen and bake something delicious together. Applesauce, mini apple pies, or apple muffins are perfect options. Baking is one of those fall activities for toddlers that lets them get hands-on and taste the results. Let them help with simple tasks like stirring, sprinkling cinnamon, mashing up cooked apples or cutting up the apples with toddler knives like these!
4. Go Apple Picking
If you can find an orchard nearby, apple picking is a wonderful way to spend a fall day. Toddlers will love reaching up to pick their own apples and munching on a freshly picked one. Bonus: all those apples you bring home make for a lot of baking fun later!
5. Paint a Pumpkin
Carving pumpkins can be a bit much for toddlers, so why not let them paint one instead? Set up a little paint station, grab some washable paints, and let them make their own masterpiece. It’s a great way to personalize their pumpkin and keep them entertained.
6. Take a Fall Nature Walk
Nature walks in the fall are pure magic. The crunch of leaves, the bright colors, and the cooler temperatures make it the perfect time to explore the great outdoors. A nature walk is a simple yet engaging fall activity for toddlers. Collect leaves, acorns, and pinecones along the way—these can be used later for crafts or just as fun keepsakes.
7. Make a Leaf Rubbing with Crayons
This classic activity is a perfect way to capture the beauty of fall leaves. Simply place a leaf under a sheet of paper, grab some crayons, and let your toddler create a beautiful leaf rubbing. It’s easy, creative, and toddlers love seeing the pattern of the leaf appear!
8. Build a Scarecrow
Grab some old clothes, stuff them with straw or leaves, and create your very own scarecrow. It doesn’t have to be perfect—in fact, the more haphazard, the more fun it is! Building a scarecrow is one of those fall activities for toddlers that gets them involved in imaginative play. Toddlers will enjoy helping stuff the clothes and creating their new “friend” for the garden.
9. Explore a Corn Maze
If you can find a local farm with a toddler-friendly corn maze, it’s a must-do! Corn mazes can be great fun, especially if they’re short enough for little legs to wander through. Exploring a corn maze together is an exciting fall activity for toddlers—hold hands, explore, and see if you can find your way out together!
10. Collect Pinecones and Acorns
Pinecones and acorns are nature’s treasures for toddlers. Spend some time outdoors collecting these natural goodies. Plus, they provide an opportunity to talk about how animals like squirrels gather food for the winter.
11. Have an Outdoor Fall Picnic
Picnics aren’t just for summer! Find a cozy spot, bring a blanket, and pack a fall-themed lunch—think apple slices, pumpkin muffins, and maybe some warm apple cider in a sippy cup. An outdoor picnic is a lovely fall activity for toddlers that allows you to enjoy the season’s sights and sounds together.
12. Read a Fall-Themed Story
When the days get cooler, there’s nothing cozier than cuddling up with a good book. Find some fall-themed picture books and enjoy story time together. Reading fall-themed stories is a calming fall activity for toddlers and the perfect way to wind down after a busy day of outdoor fun.
Our Favorite Fall Books
13. Create a Fall Sensory Bin
Put together a fall-themed sensory bin with items like dried corn kernels, mini pumpkins, acorns, and leaves. Sensory bins are wonderful for toddlers—they love exploring different textures, and sensory bins can keep them busy for quite a while. It’s also easy to put together using what you already have at home.
14. Go on an Animal-Watching Adventure
Fall is a busy time for animals preparing for winter. Head to a local park or nature area and watch the squirrels scurrying about, birds migrating, or even some deer if you’re lucky. Bring binoculars (even toy ones!) to make this activity extra special and fun.
15. Make a Fall Leaf or Orange Garland
Stringing together leaves, pinecones, or oanges is a simple yet fun fall activity for toddlers that can also double as homemade decor! Let your toddler pick out their favorite leaves and help string them up to make a garland. Hang it somewhere special in your home to admire their handiwork.
Make This Fall Special with Simple Moments
These fall activities for toddlers are all about creating special moments that you and your little one will love. They don’t require a lot of prep or planning, just a little time and a spirit of fun. Whether it’s baking, exploring, or crafting, each of these activities will help your toddler experience the magic of fall—without the overwhelm.
Which activities are on your fall bucket list this year? Let me know in the comments!
And if you’re looking for a way to track these activities, don’t forget to grab our free printable Fall Bucket List for Toddlers—perfect for checking off each adventure as you go. Download it below!
Fall Bucket List For Toddlers
Download your FREE fall activity tracker to go along with this blog post for toddlers now!
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