Meta: The autumn breeze blows and the sun gradually becomes milder. It is a good time for an outdoor play of the year. Here are 30 autumn play and art activities for kids.
Autumn is approaching. We color the landscape with warm colors. The woods offer chestnuts, walnuts, hazelnuts, and leaves with red-orange shades to be used for many outdoor games and activities.
Let’s take advantage of the most beautiful aspect of this season. The days are getting shorter. The crisp air invites you to stay indoors more. But a delightful walk or two shots of a ball in the park are not only for mood but also for the immune system.
We have collected the 30 best autumn play and art activities for kids. There are many games to play together, jobs to build and design, coloring drawings, nursery rhymes, songs, and other unique activities.
Why should children be outdoors even in cold weather?
Cold does not make you sick. Conversely, spending time outdoors even in the fall and winter has a long list of benefits for children. In terms of health, but also of opportunities for growth and psychophysical development.
Children should play outdoors during autumn.
Here are seven good reasons:
– It is an open environment that significantly reduces the possibility of transmitting diseases
– Being outdoors and exposure to sunlight helps fix vitamin D. According to various studies, it is very important not only in calcium metabolism but also in the prevention of infections.
– Children who are outdoors doing more movement and spend less time in front of the TV. It reduces the risk of overweight and obesity.
– The children learn better to realize their bodies and interact independently with the external space.
– It allows the body to experience a wide range of movements.
– You can touch the passing of the seasons and different aspects of nature. All these things help to enrich the vocabulary.
– Playing in groups and with others can enhance the fundamental skills for the future.
Top 30 Autumn Play and Art Activities for Kids
1. Collecting leaves
Autumn leaves are the most colorful. Parents can take advantage of the weekend to accompany their children to the park to collect some special-shaped and beautiful leaves. Then, the complete family can make a leaf creation together.
Let the children observe the differences in color, shape, toughness, and texture of each leaf. You can use the fallen leaves together to make an artistic model or take a creative photo. It allows the child to get close to nature and also enhances the parent-child relationship.
Finally, you can play a small game. The father plays with the enormous tree while the child and mother play with the leaves. Dad issued a password as the gale is coming. The mother and the child shook their arms vigorously and walked around their father quickly.
When my father said little wind is here. The mother and the child lifted their arms and gently shook them. Then, walking gently around the father. A simple leaf not only cultivates the baby’s artistic creation cell but also allows the child to experience the fun of nature.
Collective leaves in autmn
Source: https://www.kidzone.ws/plants/collection.htm
2. Picking activities
Autumn is the harvest season. Bringing children to pick will have indescribable joy. It not only increases the children’s knowledge and understanding of various vegetables and fruits but also exercises the children’s body through labor. This game also inspires the children to love big nature.
Before picking, you need to make preparations with your child. For example, go to the orchard to pick grapes, apples, pears, and other fruits. Let the children guess how these fruits grow or where they grow. If there are corresponding picture books or encyclopedias at home, read them first.
You can also teach your children how to say these kinds of fruits in English. After going to the orchard, you must create conditions for the children to pick the fruits by themselves.
Then wash them and eat them by themselves and experience the entire process from picking to eating. If you take your children to dig sweet potatoes, you can also bake sweet potatoes with your children outdoors. Children like to experience this rural lifestyle in the wild.
Source: https://www.visitbuckscounty.com/things-to-do/planning-ideas/pick-your-own-fun-in-bucks-county/
3. Mountaineering
Autumn is the most suitable season for mountain climbing. Parents take their children to climb the mountain, enjoy the beautiful scenery on the way, and experience the joy of sports. Maybe, the child will feel a bit bored climbing the mountain. So, add some material to the child during the climbing process.
Ask a few more friends to climb the mountain together, chatting along the way, and observing the small animals on the roadside. Then, taking a break occasionally, sharing food, and reaching the top of the mountain without knowing it. After reaching the top of the mountain, the child feels the joy of seeing the small mountains. That kind of pride will double their self-confidence.
You may have to force your child to climb to the top of the mountain. And you can find a slightly quiet forest. Everyone lies down and listens to the sounds of nature quietly. The sounds of different birds, the rustling of leaves being blown by the wind, and the sound of water are peaceful. While listening, communicate with the child, and experience the state of living in the present.
Source: https://www.highmountainguides.com/category/winterspringautumn-mountaineering/
4. Treasure hunting game
You can also play a treasure hunting game during the climbing process to see who finds more small animals, the most beautiful small stones, or the most types of leaves. It will excite the children along the way.
Treasure hunting game
Source: https://www.twinkl.com/resource/t-tp-5234-autumn-initial-sounds-phonics-treasure-hunt-game
5. Outdoor picnic
Sometimes, parent-child activities do not have to be a lot of trouble. Take advantage of the weekends, then prepare some snacks, fruits, and lunch, and bring children’s favorite toys such as football, skipping rope, and bubble blowing tools. Find a quiet park or a stream. And you can have a gorgeous outdoor picnic.
Children like to take part in setting up tents. Before setting up, confirm the construction process and assignment of tasks with the children. Regardless of their age, they will be happy to take part. Even if it is just passing a screw, it is super happy. In playing the game, you do not have to play anything deliberately. Even if it is crazy running, the children can experience immense joy.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/09/dining/coronavirus-how-to-have-a-picnic-safely.html
6. The shot glasses race
With water and colored paper cups, you will organize an exciting competition where the winner will be the one who crosses the finish line with the glass still full. Take water and colored paper cups to organize an exciting competition. Establish a starting line and a finish line. Then, ask the little guests to arrange themselves along the line and give each one small glass with the same amount of water in it.
At the start, all competitors must quickly reach the finish line, trying not to spill even a drop. At the end of the race, you can offer a small gift to all participants, even those who spilled all the water. A variant for older children is to change each run from the simplest to the most difficult.
Source: https://www.gamesmen.com.au/shot-glass-roulette-board-game
7. To the last grain
It is a variant of the classic decanting activity that is highly appreciated by all preschool children. The game is perfect for the little ones. The last grain is a party variant of the classic decanting activity that is very popular throughout the preschool age.
Get enough aluminum pans of different sizes, paper cups, and spoons. Then, give a set of containers to each child. You can also give everyone the same amount of material to transfer in a set time such as pasta, seeds, rice, or a bottle of water.
Adopt your best clownish style and equip yourself with a stopwatch. In about five minutes, all players must be able to transfer the material such as pasta, rice, and water into all their containers, leaving nothing empty. In this game, there is no real winner.
To the last grain game
Source: http://www.thecropsite.com/news/17538/2015-grain-harvest-a-game-of-two-halves
8. Who is away from the world?
To break the ice, we offer this fun version of the classic round dance beloved by children between two and three years old. Ask the children to form a circle with a child in the center. For the first time, you can stand next to him/her to look at friends. Then, closes his/her eyes without peeking. One companion in the circle has to hide while the others spin and sing this nursery rhyme.
The child in the middle must open his eyes, inspect around, and quickly identify who is missing. The disappeared friend comes back and gets in the middle of the circle, and the circle starts again until everyone present has tried to guess.
Source: https://www.ultimatecampresource.com/camp-games/circle-games/
9. Regina legionella
Regina legionella is an old game, a little forgotten but appreciated by children who know it because it is fun and has no significant rules. Draw a line on the ground and ask the children to stand still there. On the opposite side, it places the Queen. To choose it, do a count and help her if it is the first time she plays.
Each child must sing, and the Queen can respond by indicating several steps associated with an animal as she prefers. The child who reaches the Queen first takes her place. Reward everyone, even those who finished last with a small gift. It satisfies children with gratifications, especially if they have a novel experience.
Source: https://www.savethestudent.org/extra-guides/university-student-drinking-games.html
10. The dance of the snake
Invite all guests to form a circle without shaking hands and sing the nursery rhyme with them. If they have never heard it, repeat it together a few times. While everyone is singing, a child as the Serpent of the ditty wanders among the others. Then stops in front of a companion and recites the second part.
The chosen one can respond, as he wishes, positively or negatively. If he agrees, he must put his hands on the Serpent’s shoulders. Otherwise, the reptile-child continues the search for his pastor. The game ends when the queue is complete.
Snake dance game
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snake_dance
11. Whoever seeks finds
It is a fast version of the classic treasure hunt game. Whoever seeks to find is also great for children in autumn. Select a dozen pairs of common objects such as two-colored paper napkins, two coffee spoons, and two cars. Hide one for each pair in the space around where the party will take place before the guests arrive.
At the time of the game, ask everyone to open their eyes wide and sit in a circle. Then show the same objects as the hidden ones that you have already placed on a tray for about 30 seconds. Invite the children to look for the same objects that you have hidden to form the couple. Whoever finds more will win. You can still offer everyone a small gift for commitment.
Source: https://flintobox.com/blog/child-development/21-outdoor-games-kids
12. Noah’s Ark
If the children seem too rowdy or you want to create a relaxed and fun atmosphere, we propose this game that everyone always likes. Ask those present to sit in a circle, you stand in the middle and say the name of an animal. The first child he touches will have to make a cry and a movement of his choice to represent it.
The next companion must repeat the sequence and add a new one based on someone named which animal. The tour continues by increasing the number of animals and the list up to the first child. Whoever makes a mistake and skips one, starts all over again.
Source: https://www.dltk-kids.com/bible/crafts/noahsarkgame.htm
13. Baby bowling
Get around 20 empty cans and lots of light ping pong. Divide the children into two teams and arrange them in a row opposite the target. Then arrange a nice pyramid of cans. Each team must try to hit the pyramid and drop as many cans as possible.
All the players of the same team must try at least once. If there are too many or someone insists on always shooting, it makes a count. The group that in 10 rounds has scored the most points will win.
Baby bowling is fun and easy to play
Source: https://babylovenappies.com.au/baby-shower/baby-bowling-game/
14. Caterpillar eats the caterpillar
This game helps to create nice confusion, especially if the group is very large. It is necessary to form two lines of children. The caterpillars must be close together without touching. The leader of each caterpillar can move as he prefers. He can walk, go backward, zigzag, and run without losing his companions.
The opposing team must try to slip into the middle of the components of the other caterpillar and incorporate it. At the end of the time, set three or four minutes for each round and the longest caterpillar wins.
Source: https://thephysicaleducator.com/game/caterpillar-riot/
15. The balloon bursts
The classic colored balloons are a perfect ally for any occasion. They lend themselves to invent many games and are loved by children of all ages, even in the last year of nursery. Launch a nice competition that gives each present a balloon with a cord to tie around the ankle.
At the start, invite them to blow up the others only with your feet and never touch your teammates with your hands. Establish a duration for the challenge of a maximum of four to five minutes. The winner is the person who kept the balloon intact and burst the largest number of the others.
Source: https://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/archived-word-games/balloon-burst/clothes
16. Tear off the handkerchief
Invite the children to form pairs and give a handkerchief or piece of cloth. One of the two players will have to attach it to their belt. The game aims to get hold of the opponent’s handkerchief without touching it in about 30 seconds.
Create some suspense and time for the challenge to make it more exciting. When time runs out, change roles By defending and attacking, players will keep track of each match. This game, which stimulates attention and reflexes, lends itself to many variations. If your guests are around eight years old, you can propose a more difficult version with two handkerchiefs.
Tear off the handkerchief
Source: https://classic.wowhead.com/item=18233/tear-stained-handkerchief
17. What time is it, Mr. Wolf?
It is a classic game, but not well known globally. The game is perfect for a large group of children that combines attention, reflexes, and movement. You will offer everyone a count to determine who will be the first Wolf.
The chosen one must turn his back to all the teammates who will go to the starting line. To draw it, use rope, sticks, or chalk. At the start, the children take a step forward and say, “What time is it, Mr. Wolf?”. And he can say any time between one and 12.
If he declares it is six, everyone will have to take six steps. But the wolf can also answer, “It’s time for dinner!” Turn around and try to catch the child closest to him. To save himself, he must escape behind the starting line.
Source: http://www.push2play.ca/games/what-time-is-it-mr-wolf
18. Take the clothespin
Get lots of clothespins of all colors and a piece of chalk to draw circles on the ground about one and a half meters in diameter. Invite the children to form pairs and occupy a circle together. Give one player from each pair two to three clothespins that he can attach wherever he likes on his clothes.
At the start, the challenger will have to get hold of his partner’s clothespins without touching him and leave the delimited space. Set a time of about one to two minutes for each round and then have the roles swap. It is possible to complicate the challenge by having more clothespins supplied and by asking the children to get hold of only those of a certain color.
Source: thespruce.com/safety-pin-clothespin-game-for-a-bridal-shower-1197017
19. The bomb
It is a simple ball game that amuses all children for its fast pace and the surprise call component. Ask the participants to form a circle, standing up leaving some space between them. Give a guest the ball and tell him to call a teammate by name and throw the ball. If the chosen one grabs the bomb, he must name someone else and throw it again. Whoever does not take it is eliminated. The last survivor of the circle wins.
The bomb game
Source: https://kidactivities.net/autumn-pumpkin-theme/
20. The potato race
Divide the children into two teams and give everyone a small potato and a spoon to hold it. Define a starting line and a finish line. At the start, each group will have to run holding the spoon with the potato without letting it fall. When it happens, the manager will have to go back and repeat the journey from the beginning.
To make the challenge more exciting, set a time blatantly with a clock or alarm. You can also accompany the race with some cheerful and well-rhythmic music. At the end of each round, the team that got the most potatoes to the other side wins. Keep the count on a sheet and elect.
Make a true potato race for kids
Source: https://www.theidearoom.net/potato-race-cars/
21. True or false on the run
Form two teams with the same number of players and have them line up opposite each other at a distance of about half a meter. Name the two groups such as cats and dogs. Behind them for about five meters, draw a line because it will be the shelter. Get in the middle of it and make your statements loud.
If what you said is true, the dogs chase after the cats who have to run into the shelter to avoid getting caught. However, when the sentence is false, cats chase dogs. For example, you say that the chicks hatch from eggs. It is true, then dogs run. Remember to adapt the level of difficulty of the statements to the age of the participants.
The captured kids join the rival team. When the players do not understand well whether the sentence is true or false and they throw themselves into the fray, you remain neutral until when calm returns, then explain. The group that swelled the most and gained the most participants wins.
Source: https://youthgroupgames.com.au/games/true-false-run/
22. Ping pong relay
Create two teams, then draw a starting line and a finish line at the same distance in front of each group on the opposite side. Give everyone a straw and give the first child in each row a ping pong. At your start, the child with the straw has to get on his knees and blow the ball to his partner. He stands on the opposite side that will have to take it and deliver it running to the second in the row.
The game proceeds as the second child blows the ball and delivers it to the one in the station. Then, he will run and give it to the third competitor. All players of the same team must take turns. The group that finishes the round first will win the game.
Source: http://www.dansations.com/schools/game/ping-pong-ball-relay
23. Guess the animal and run
It is a very fun game for the older ones that combines competition, spirit, intuition, reflexes, knowledge of the animal world, and speed. Ask the kids to form two groups of the same. Give each team a pen and paper and invite them to choose a secret animal and invent a dozen riddles-clues.
Explain that you need to start with a very general track. For example, if the animal chosen is the owl, the first riddle could be something small and can fly. And then it is in the woods and hills. And it is up to more precise information, such as enormous eyes and loves the night. For the first round, you can help the teams so that the mechanics are clear.
Once preparing the quizzes has been completed, the two groups have to line up facing each other. In the middle mark a line on the ground with a rope, stick or draw it with chalk. Behind each team, at a distance of about four meters, draw another line that delimits their den.
A spokesperson for each team who can change each time proposes a riddle. Team A has its say and B tries to understand what it is about in a time defined and timed by you. It goes on like this until a group gives the right answer. The one we have guessed whose animal must run towards his den while the opponents will try to catch them. For each kid caught, the opposing team earns one point.
Guess the animal
Source: https://www.baamboozle.com/game/93062
24. Prisoner ball
If there is enough space available, with a rectangular field of about 15 x 8 meters, we propose this timeless team ball game. It is also perfect for older kids because it requires a certain amount of skill and strength.
First, we split the field in half with an even-numbered team on each side. Behind the part that houses the players, there are two smaller areas as the prisons. The prisoner components of the opposing team end up in this place.
You can only move horizontally in your playing area. Each player must hit an opponent with the ball. During the throw, you must not cross the boundary with the feet and arms. Otherwise, the throw is void. The boy who hit correctly will become a prisoner and moves to the prison behind the rival team. If by any chance he gets the ball, he can throw it on an antagonist and free himself.
The goal of the game is to capture as many members of the other team as possible. If you set a maximum playing time, the one who has the most players still free at the established deadline wins.
Source: https://fitkidshealthykids.ca/node/503
25. Capture the flag
It is a great classic that requires speed and reflexes. The game is ideal for letting off steam outdoors. Divide the kids into two teams of the same number and ask everyone to line up facing each other. Each player corresponds to a number from 1 to 10 based on the components of the two teams.
The playing area is a square divided in half by a line where the person holding the flag stands. When he says a number, the two rivals who have it have to run and grab the flag without putting their feet on the line. Then take it to their team. If the opponent who did not take the flag touches the other, he still earns the point.
Source: https://www.verywellfamily.com/how-to-play-capture-the-flag-1257384
26. Animals made with leaves
Collecting leaves in autumn is a classic. Children can have fun with mom and dad inventing recognizable animals and fantastic creatures. Crafting animals from leaves can unleash the image perfectly.
Animal made with leaves
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjQ_k4x2Jpg
27. Make a ghost with leaves
Autumn leaves, scissors, and acrylic colors are enough to make lots of ghosts. Children can use them to decorate the children’s room or the classroom. Kids are sure to have fun creating these decorations. So, all you have to do is get some leaves and leave right away.
Source: https://mothernatured.com/nature-crafts/leaf-ghosts/
28. Autumn jobs with pine cones
We offer you some really simple creative jobs from pine cones. You just need pine cones, colors, and a lot of imagination. We can do these fall chores at school or home. They are perfect for letting kids pass the time by engaging them in stimulating and fun activities. Let’s make the autumn jobs with pine cones such as forest animals, centerpieces, and home decorations.
Source: https://www.uos.ac.uk/content/autumn-craft-ideas
29. Chestnuts chores for kids
There are many beautiful autumn jobs to make with chestnuts. Chestnuts are the protagonists of autumn and are ideal for entertaining children. These autumn berries are perfect for making original DIY creations such as puppets, animals, and decorations.
Chestnuts chores game
Source: https://www.redtedart.com/play-conkers-horse-chestnuts/
30. Make a doll
Autumn leaves, scissors, glue, and acrylic colors are enough to make lots of dolls with which to decorate the children’s room.
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfulMZhpjGU
Final Thought
It is not explaining the autumn in words but bringing autumn to life. Children know and understand the world through their senses. So, let’s make them life experiences that involve all autumn play and art activities for kids.
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