Using Natural Objects in the Fall Classroom

It seems like fall offers a lot of bounty that we can use in learning activities, from leaves and acorns to pinecones, apples and pumpkins.

Keeping these items in a science center is an easy way to bring the outside into learning, but here are some more great ideas you might want to try.

Pinay Homeschooler uses natural objects in counting activities, such as putting pine cones on a tree or sorting out certain numbers of different kinds of items.

Emma Owl uses natural items on a sensory table combined with fall-scented playdough and other basic materials to let the kids explore and create.

And Learning and Exploring Through Play used a tray full of natural items, a pan balance and other materials for measuring and sorting to make a fall-themed tray.

What you can do will depend on what you can gather nearby, but it’s always fun to collect items this time of year and find fun ways to use them.

How do you use fall’s bounty in learning activities? I’d love to hear your ideas!

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A few years ago I shared some pumpkin themed sensory activities for kids, but I wanted to get a little more general and do some fall sensory ideas that can take you from Halloween al the way to Thanksgiving.

Playdough is a classic sensory activity, especially if kids can help make it, too. These playdough recipes from The Montessori Twin Mama are fall colored and scented with cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice and apple pie spice (I honestly don’t know what the difference is!). Or try this fun maple playdough from Happy Toddler Playtime.

Throw together some cookie cutters, googly eyes and other fun things to make an easy fall playdough tray (similar to what I did on this Halloween playdough activity).

How about some fall themed slime? Natural Beach Living gave a basic slime recipe a fall twist with food coloring and glitter. Leaf shaped sequins make it even more fun. Little Bins for Little Hands also has a cinnamon slime, which is great for fall but can also carry you all the way through Christmas.

Raising Wild Things Sensory has some great easy to make fall themed sensory bottles, which you can add fall things to, or pompoms or whatever kind of I spy items you might want to include. They also have a fun apple moon sand sensory bin that has me wondering if you could add something scented to moon sand (I always hated the smell!).

And of course there are all kinds of sensory bins you can make for fall. I like this apple picking one from Happy Toddler Playtime that uses fake leaves and little apple toys. It has the added challenge of trying to pick the apples up through a mesh of branches — kind of like a low-tech game of Operation!

You can also do a short-lived sensory bin with real leaves, or use any kind of beans, brown rice, oats or lentils to make your base. Some more great ideas can be found at Fab Everyday. Their post includes some specific Halloween and Thanksgiving themed sensory bins, too.

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