Written by Eimi Nishihira
With the fall season upon us, children want to go out and play in the mud and leaves. When it becomes too cold or too tiring to keep up with them outside, we have some at-home activities that will interest them and keep them busy.
Make sure you always supervise your children while doing each of these activities for your child’s safety.
- Fall Sensory Bin
This activity allows for the most creativity because you can put whatever you have or want to put into the sensory bin. You will simply add two or more sensory items into a bin and allow your children to play! Some ideas are to fill a bin with water beads that expand and add in some acorns or spiders for a spooky sensory bin or filling a bin with giftbag crinkle paper and hiding some pictures of leaves, pumpkins, or turkeys for your child to find.
- Frozen Fall Mold
For this activity you will need:
- Fall Mold (leaf, turkey, etc.)
- Water
- Food Coloring
- Bowl {optional to stabilize brain mold in freezer}
- Basters, Eyedroppers, or Pipettes
- Tray {to catch water}
- A bowl of Warm Water {for melting brains}
- Optional: small toys such as sticks, acorns, mini pumpkins
First, make a fall ice cube using the mold of your choice and add in the food coloring before putting it into the freezer. You could also add in your toys before putting them into the freezer.
Next, take the ice out of the mold and place it into the tray along with basters, eyedroppers, or pipettes on the side for your child.
Finally, place a bowl of warm water next to the tray for your child to use on the ice cube shape to slowly melt it away! That’s it!
- Erupting Pumpkin
For this activity you will need:
- Pumpkin
- Baking Soda
- Vinegar
- Dish Soap {optional but will provide a more dramatic visual effect of eruption}
- Food Coloring and Glitter {Optional but cool}
- Containers, Basters, Measure Cups, Spoons, Towels
First, gather supplies and it is recommended to use a bin or bowl with high sides to catch all the mixture.
Next, carve your pumpkin either on your own or with your child.
Next, pour vinegar into a separate bowl and have a baster or scoop ready.
Next, add a few scoops of baking soda into the pumpkin.
Next, add food coloring or glitter if wanted, then add dish soap.
Finally, add in the vinegar and wait for the eruption!
- Fall Stress Balls
For this activity you will need:
- Balloons or colored balloons & permanent marker
- Funnel
- Filling – Flour, Corn Starch, Baking Soda, Play Dough, Corn Kernels, or Dried Beans…
First, blow up the balloon and hold it for 30 seconds to help stretch the balloon out.
Next, use the funnel to fill in the balloon with the fillings of your choice. If the materials will not fit through the funnel, you can use an extra set of hands to hold the balloon open while you fill it.
Then, tie them up and draw faces or designs on them with sharpie if you wish. Keep making balloons with different fillings so your child can discover all the feelings.