seasonal activities for toddlers — autumn edition 🍂

Forage for mushrooms

One of my ultimate favorite parts about the seasonal shift towards autumn is… MUSHROOM SEASON. I remember learning about foraging for the first time and thinking about how fun it would be when I had a child following close behind, and wow do I feel lucky to be living that very dream this year. Here in the pacific northwest, we’ve been chanterelle hunting already (it’s September 2nd today), and it’s not even autumn yet.

Notice the trees change throughout the seasons

This isn’t something new to me, I’ve enjoyed watching the trees change throughout the seasons for as long as I can remember. It’s no wonder my child enjoys it just the same. While we’re surrounded by evergreens in the pacific northwest, it’s worth seeking out a deciduous tree or two and watching its life cycle progress as the season flows.

Collect different colored leaves

Juniper & I like to display a rainbow assortment of leaves during the fall. It’s a fun way to combine nature play and learning colors. We have a string lined with mini clothespins, as seen in the photo below.

Harvest goodies (blackberries, squash, etc.)

Fall is the time to reap what we sow! However, you don’t need a garden to harvest. Other than mushrooms, you can harvest blackberries in an abandoned field, apples from your neighbor’s apple tree (with permission, of course), or even elderberries on a fire road. But don’t stop there. Get creative in teaching your children that true nourishment comes from the earth rather than the grocery store shelves.

Listen for frogs

I absolutely love the sound of frogs. The symphony of ‘ribbits’ will never fail to amaze me. What a fun activity to do with the entire family. Most swampy areas are bound to be filled with frogs during the autumn season here in the pacific northwest. Why not make it even more fun by having a swamp picnic to the sound of frogs!?

Pick one plant and watch it all season

On a smaller level, choosing a single plant and watching its life cycle is a wonderful learning experience for both you and your children. Let’s take blackberries for example, can you notice the color of the berries throughout the season? What about the taste? Do the leaves change? Why are some berries ripe while others aren’t?

Splash in puddles

Let’s be real. Here in the pacific northwest, this is a year-round activity 🙃 BUT that doesn’t make it any less fun for our little ones. Throw on that rain suit & rubber boots (or not) and jump in a puddle! These are core memories for you and your little one, I promise it’s worth it to get dirty every once in a while.

Support local farmers

Truly, we should be doing this year-round, but remember how I mentioned that autumn is the biggest harvest season?? What a fantastic time to support our local farmers by visiting farm stands and farmer’s markets. Some farmer’s markets are seasonal, but there are absolutely some that stick around all year! You’d be surprised how many people still come out and support local farmers in the dead of winter.