A Full Day of Fall: Trees Edition
Fall-themed activities you can do with your child in your own backyard.
It’s that time of the year again; the weather is getting cooler, pumpkin patches are at max capacity, and the leaves on the trees are beginning to display hues of all colors. While these signs of autumn typically bring us in full holiday swing, this year is looking a tad bit different, as many children are beginning this season with virtual learning. While we make our best efforts to learn and explore on these new online mediums, it is even more vital that we get children outside and playing.
Despite working in the inner city, the majority of my students still make note of the changes they see within the outside environment, specifically in regards to the leaves and the weather (those cognitive and social studies skills are working to the max!). Over the years, I have compiled some of my favorite activities relevant to this time of the year that my students have enjoyed, and want to share them with you!
If your child expresses interest or curiosity about the changes in foliage, trees in general, or perhaps just needs some hands-on activities to do as a break from virtual learning, here are some activities that might help peak their knowledge and inquisitive minds.
Scavenger Hunt: Fall Edition
Print out this scavenger hunt I created, and complete it in your own backyard, neighborhood or park!
Arts & Crafts: Leaf Stamps
Leaf crafts have become a personal favorite! This activity is a great way for children to compare sizes, colors, and shapes. It also gives an opportunity to examine the smaller details within a leaf. This non-traditional artwork can even be done outside, making the clean-up time minimal!
Materials: 4-8 leaves of different shapes and sizes (preferably real but faux can work as well), plain paper or a canvas, paint (colors of your child’s choosing), and a paintbrush
Directions:
Allow your child to gather a few leaves that interest them. Encourage them to discuss the colors and sizes they see.
Gather the art materials, and have your child paint one-side of the leaves with the colors of their choosing.
Time for stamping! Your child can take each leaf and flip them over onto the paper. Explain to them that the more they press down, the better they can see the leaf’s details!
Pick the leaf up by the stem and discard, or repeat if they’d like the color to be more vibrant.
Repeat this process with as many leaves that can fit on the paper or canvas.
Science Experiment
Sorting & Comparing Leaves
Have your child gather as many leaves as they can, or until they’re no longer interested in collecting them. Give your child the opportunity to explore the leaves they found. Ask questions to help prompt their thinking i.e. “What colors do you see?” “What do you notice about how the leaves feel?” “Why are some leaves big/small, crunchy/wet, ripped/smooth?”
Allow your child to sort through them, they size them big to small, or categorize them by color or shape. This is a perfect opportunity for your child to practice their math skills in a fun, hands-on way that is relevant to their environment.
Water & Leaf Experiment
Science experiments are great with children, because they can last over the course of a few days! This experiment examines how water travels through leaves. This can easily tie into the scavenger hunt when collecting leaves, as well as the sorting and comparing activity, as children may notice that some leaves are dryer than others, therefore needing more water than some.
Materials: leaves, small clear cup, water, food coloring (red or blue), scissors
Directions:
Have your child fill the cup about halfway with water.
They will then place each leaf in its own individual cup (or test out what happens when you do multiple leaves in one cup).
Allow your child to add food coloring to the water, around 6 drops.
Let the cup sit over the next few days and observe the changes!
Encourage your child to take pictures or draw pictures of what happens over time.
Story Time: Trees
As an early childhood educator, you all know I always emphasize the importance of literature! Here are a few of my favorite children’s books that relate to exploring trees and their various components.
We’re Going on a Leaf Hunt by Steve Metzger
National Geographic’s Ultimate Explorer Field Guide: Trees by Patricia Daniels
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr & John Archambault
Our Tree Named Steve by Alan Zweibel
Wangari’s Trees of Peace: A True Story from Africa by Jeanette Winter