Autumn Activity Ideas for EYFS Children

As the leaves change colors and the weather cools down, autumn is the perfect season to engage your Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) students in a variety of fun and educational activities. Not only do these activities promote learning and development, but they also help create lasting memories for your young students.

children are playing with pumpkins in an orange bowl

From outdoor games and crafts to music and movement, there are countless ways to make the most of the autumn season with your EYFS students. In this article, we will explore some of the best autumn activity ideas for EYFS students, covering topics such as sensory play, nature-based activities, and seasonal crafts.

two children are painting an autumn tree on paper

Sensory Play Activities

Sensory play is an essential part of the EYFS curriculum, allowing children to explore and engage with the world around them. Autumn offers a wealth of opportunities for sensory play, from playing with leaves to exploring the textures of different fruits and vegetables.

Fingerprint Fall Tree Craft - Toddler at Play

One of the most popular sensory play activities for autumn is leaf rubbings. Simply place a leaf under a sheet of paper and rub it gently with a crayon to create a beautiful, detailed image. This activity encourages children to explore the different textures and patterns found in nature.

Exploring Leaf Patterns

a bowl of cereal next to a paper cut out of a tree with leaves on it

Another great sensory play activity for autumn is exploring the different patterns found on leaves. Use a magnifying glass or a microscope to get up close and personal with the intricate details on a leaf's surface. This activity encourages children to develop their observation and fine motor skills.

For an added twist, try creating a leaf collage using different shapes and colors. This activity encourages children to think creatively and develop their problem-solving skills.

Seasonal Crafts

an advertisement for kids'autumn conker art, with pictures of food in the background

Autumn is the perfect time to engage your EYFS students in seasonal crafts, from making leaf-themed art to creating festive decorations. One of the most popular autumn crafts is making a paper plate pumpkin.

To make a paper plate pumpkin, simply cut out a pumpkin shape from a paper plate and decorate it with paint, markers, or stickers. Add some green stems and leaves to complete the look. This activity encourages children to develop their fine motor skills and think creatively.

Nature-Based Activities

someone is holding scissors to cut stars out of the leaves on the ground with their fingers

Nature-based activities are an essential part of the EYFS curriculum, allowing children to develop their observation and exploration skills. Autumn offers a wealth of opportunities for nature-based activities, from collecting leaves to observing the changing seasons.

One of the most popular nature-based activities for autumn is a leaf scavenger hunt. Create a list of different types of leaves and have children search for them in the school yard or a nearby park. This activity encourages children to develop their observation and problem-solving skills.

children are sitting at a table playing with autumn leaves and other things on the tray

Autumn Activities for Preschool | Early Years Activities

four different colors of leaves and flowers on cardboard with colored swatches in the middle

a tree made out of handprints on a white paper with orange, yellow and green colors

Exploring the Changing Seasons

Another great nature-based activity for autumn is exploring the changing seasons. Take children on a walk around the school yard or a nearby park and observe the changes in the environment. What are the differences between the summer and autumn landscapes? How do the changing seasons affect the plants and animals around us?

This activity encourages children to develop their observation and critical thinking skills, as well as their understanding of the natural world.

Outdoor Games

Autumn is the perfect time to engage your EYFS students in outdoor games, from playing in the leaves to exploring the changing seasons. One of the most popular outdoor games for autumn is a scavenger hunt.

To create a scavenger hunt, simply hide different objects around the school yard or a nearby park and have children search for them. You can hide objects such as leaves, acorns, or pinecones to make the game more challenging. This activity encourages children to develop their observation and problem-solving skills.

As the autumn season comes to a close, it's essential to reflect on the experiences and memories created with your EYFS students. From sensory play to nature-based activities, autumn offers a wealth of opportunities for learning and development. By incorporating these autumn activity ideas into your curriculum, you can create a fun and engaging learning environment that will leave a lasting impact on your students.