Explore Autumn with Nancy Nectarine
Autumn is a time when the days are becoming shorter, the leaves change colours and the sun is not as strong as it was during the summer months. You may find yourself slowing down and and enjoying more cosy evenings in. There are still plenty of ways to keep active and explore as a family.
Nancy has put together a list of her favourite Autumn activities.
Orange and Red Watercolor Fall Season Autumn Bucket List Instagram Post Portrait by ElaWhy not try and see how many of these activities you can do together as a family?
Go on a nature walk with family
Check out ideas for your walk in our previous 2024 Autumn blog.
Collect leaves and press them in a book
Take this list with you when you go out and see if you can collect these:
- oak
- maple
- beech
- pine cones
No list? No problem.
Encourage your little ones to collect a range of different leaves. Talk about the colours, size and shapes you can see…
“are the leaves smooth or bumpy?”
“which is the biggest?”
Looking for an extra challenge?
Older children may enjoy using a leaf identification guide to find out where their leaves came from.
sourced from the woodland trust
Make an Autumn lantern suitable for ages 2-5 years (with adult support)
Making and exploring together helps children learn through play while enjoying time outdoors.
What you will need:
- clean glass jar
- dried leaves
- glue stick
- battery operated tea light
- string (optional)
What to do:
- use the glue stick to spread a thin layer onto the outside of the jar.
- carefully stick the leaves onto the jar.
- leave the jar to dry completely.
- place a battery operated tea light inside and watch your lantern glow.
| Children under 2 can still join in by: – collecting leaves on a walk – touching and exploring different textures and colours – scrunching dry leaves and listening to they sounds they make – looking at the different colours |
Build a den
Llewelyn Leek loves building dens. Check out our handy guide available to help you get started.
For more active play ideas, visit our For Little Ones page.
Why don’t you place your lantern inside the den and read little one’s favourite story together?
Pine Cone Bird Feeders
If you have got a bit more time, why don’t you make the pine cone bird feeders from our Autumn 2025 blog?
Try a new recipe: vegetable and lentil soup
All this activity works up an appetite! Why not try our easy soup recipe packed with nutrients that you can all sit down and enjoy together.
What your little one could help with:
- washing the carrot and sweet potato
- measure the pasta and lentils
- sprinkle in herbs and spices
As little one gets older, they will be able to do more to help.
“This soup is a great way to introduce more vegetables.”
Our mini pumpkin rolls go great with this recipe – check out the Autumn 2024 blog for how to make them.
Top tip!
Try using tinned carrots – these are softer and your little one can practice chopping these using a table knife with your help.
You could grate the carrot into this recipe for a different texture.