Fall Activities for Kids: Toddler & Preschool Edition

Last Updated on September 9, 2026 by Jordyn Koveleski Gorman

This page contains affiliate links. We will receive a commission on qualifying purchases using these links.

Fall activities for kids

Fall is known for a lot of things: back to school, football, pumpkin spice, apple picking, leaves changing, and even spooky season. Festivals and harvest time bring a fresh batch of produce and local goods. With family friendly fall activities around every corner, it’s no wonder fall is so many people’s favorite season! Making a seasonal bucket list is all the rage right now.

Luckily, you don’t have to spend a lot of money to have a bucket list fall season. Try out these activities for an autumn filled with connection and fun!

Fall things to do in your community

1. Visit a local farm, orchard, or pumpkin patch

Depending on your location in the US, there are likely nearby farms, orchards, and/or pumpkin patches that are family friendly! Many host events or have festivals of their own.

Activities you may find include:

• Apple picking
• Pumpkin picking
• Corn mazes
• Hay rides
• Children’s play areas
• Concessions stands
• Sunflower fields
• Food trucks or other vendors

2. Attend a fall festival or event

Whether there is a nearby town with an annual festival or a local zoo or museum with a special fall event, these can be great options for family fun. And if crowds are tough to navigate, consider attending events before peak hours or during the week if applicable.

Setting expectations in advance can help prepare little ones for what they might see or do while at an event with lots of people. Help set the stage by talking about things like:

• Foods you might eat
• Carnival rides or games
• Animals they could see
• How they’ll stay safe (holding hands, in the stroller, etc.)
• When it will be time to leave

3. Visit a state or local park

Head to a nearby park or take a day trip to a state park! Pack a picnic lunch, bring a bug catching kit, or simply take a nature hike to view all the changing scenery. State parks often have naturalists who host kid-focused events that provide important education about local ecosystems, plant, and animal life.

You can find a list of state parks here.

Fall art activities for preschoolers

1. Arts & crafts

Fall crafts can double as home decor for the season! Breaking out the craft supplies is a great way to spend an autumn afternoon. And craft time doesn’t have to be age-specific; even infants can join in the fun with a few age-appropriate adaptations.

We put our favorites into a Fall Craft Freebie! These crafts can all be done using the most basic supplies and can be completed in less than 10 minutes. Plus, you can see what developmental skills each activity helps children build and exercise!

2. Paint or carve pumpkins

Once you get home from the pumpkin patch, set up a tarp, drop cloth, or prep the dining room table to get messy and start decorating! Younger littles will enjoy painting or even placing stickers on their pumpkins, while carving can be reserved for older kids.

For serious decorators, you can find tons of free stencils online that can help give direction on designs! Or, simply grab the craft cart and let littles go to town.

Pro tip: doing a painting craft with infants or toddlers? Use a smock bib to make cleaning up faster and easier!

Fall activities for preschoolers at home

1. Cook or bake a fall-themed treat together

Taking real-world experiences and applying them at home is an excellent strategy for teaching kids new concepts! Whether you use this approach for homeschooling or just to enrich an afternoon, you can knock out a few fall bucket list ideas in one with this activity.

Pick up some produce from your local orchard or farmer’s market and break out your grandma’s favorite recipes!

Apple recipes that are great for littles to help with:

• Applesauce
• Mini apple pies
• Crumble or crisp
• Homemade apple butter

My favorite 5-minute apple recipe:

1. Skin and dice apples
2. Sprinkle with cinnamon
3. Microwave for 20-30 seconds
4. Eat plain or drizzle with peanut butter and enjoy! 

Pumpkin recipes that are kid-friendly:

• Pumpkin pie
• Roasted pumpkin seeds
• Pumpkin cream cheese muffins
• Make pumpkin puree to save for later!

Try zucchini bread, spaghetti squash, or a pureed squash soup, too! If a whole day of cooking or baking isn’t on the agenda, try pairing a locally made treat with the experience of shopping for local produce.

2. Read autumn themed books

Seasonal books are an Eat Play Say favorite! Incorporating themed books into weekly play themes can help kids understand the changing seasons and helps feed curiosity and imagination. You can find our favorite fall (and Halloween) books here!

Want to keep play time fun and fresh with minimal effort? Download 52 Play Themes for FREE!

3. Host a Friendsgiving or Costume party

Throwing a party can be a big lift, but it doesn’t have to be! You can go all in with a theme, decor, and invitations, or you can simply invite some friends over for a playdate and add costumes or dinner!

Some tips for a fun themed kids’ party:

• Plan a simple, mess-free craft that kids can take home (psssst, the Tissue Paper Tree on the Fall Crafts Guide is perfect)
• Give different foods holiday or seasonal names, such as “broomsticks” for pretzel rods
• Play a game or have a scavenger hunt

4. Take a sensory walk in your neighborhood or yard

Sensory walks help everyone connect with nature and reset from the stress of the day. Make a list together of things you want to look for, or save an autumn scavenger hunt to your phone.

Screenshot this sensory walk scavenger hunt to capture all the senses with your little one!

With these activities to look forward to, it’s bound to be a beautiful fall season. Happy autumn!

More resources for kids

Looking for more seasonal fun? We’ve got you! Check out the blog for more holiday activities:

• Fall crafts for kids
• Halloween crafts
• Favorite fall and Halloween toys
• More seasonal activities

For more resources that support your little one’s development, check out the Playbooks! With 100+ age-appropriate ways to play with your infant and toddler using only what you have at home, you never have to wonder what to do during play time again!