3 Fall Toddler Friendly Activities

Despite the unusually warm weather, it is fall in Oakville once again! Today we will discuss fun fall-themed activities that your toddler is going to love. While we have some activities geared specifically for toddlers, we have included some classic family activities and will share how your toddler can help out.

Carving Pumpkins with Toddlers

We needed to start with a staple! Carving pumpkins is a family tradition in many homes, but obviously, Toddlers are going to need help for many of the steps.

Easy Steps for Toddlers

1. Choose a design! There are books with stencils that your child can choose from or you can download a free printable carving stencil like this one from “Home Made Gifts Made Easy”.
2. Next have your child pick out a pumpkin, you can grab one at many grocery stores or have a fun day out at a local farm to pick your own! Here is a list of local farms that have pick-your-own apples and pumpkins!
3. Have an adult cut out the top so that kids can scoop out the insides of the pumpkin. This can be a fun sensory activity, but also kind of a mess. We recommend this step be done outside.
4. Your toddler can trace or tape the design to the pumpkin so an adult can do the carving.
5. Once ready have your little one place a battery-operated tea light inside to watch the pumpkin glow.

Need more details? Check out our step-by-step blog on carving pumpkins.

Stencil Leaves – Colouring Fun Activity

If your neighbourhood is anything like mine there are already leaves everywhere. Your little one will love this activity that has some outdoor play as well as some craft time.

Required Tools:

• Construction paper
• Glue Stick
• A plain piece of white paper
• Crayons (We love the “My First Crayons” that are egg-shaped and easy to hold)
• Painters tape

1. Head out on a walk or even just go in the backyard. Help your toddler look for different types of leaves: different colours and shapes. If you go on a walk though you may find more variation in shapes. You want the leaves to be mostly all together and if possible, flat.
2. With your collection of leaves have your toddler organize them as a collage on the construction paper.
3. Help your toddler glue the leaves onto the construction paper
4. Let the glue dry and it may help to put a book on top so the leaves are completely flat for the next step.
5. As implied by the name “Stencil Leaves” next you will use the painters tape to tape the white piece of paper on top of the leaf collage.
6. Now your toddler can use their crayons and “trace” over each leaf in a new colour.

In the end your kid will have two new pieces of art to be proud of!

Fall Science Experiment: Pumpkin Volcano

If you already have some pumpkins hanging around the house because of Halloween this activity is perfect! You take your everyday volcano activity with some fall flair! We love this experiment from Little Bins Little Hands.

What You Will Need

• 1 Small Pumpkin
• 1 Knife
• 1 Big Spoon for Scooping the Pumpkin
• Baking Soda
• Vinegar
• Food Colouring

The Experiment

To start have an adult cut open the top of the pumpkin. Kids can help scoop out the insides. Add 1/4 cup of Baking Soda into the pumpkin. Pour 1 cup of vinegar in a measuring cup and add a few drops of food colouring for special effect! Once ready have your kiddo pour the vinegar into the pumpkin and watch the foam erupt!

For more info on the science behind the experiment as well as what you can add for more bubbles visit the original experiment page:

Pumpkin Volcano: Easy Chemistry

For more science-themed Fall activities make sure to check out our “Fun Fall Experiments with Toddlers” blog.

---

We at Kinder Buddies hope you and your families have a fun and safe fall!

Kinder Buddies Oakville Daycare is a Quality First Daycare and Infant Care facility in Oakville, Ontario. We take care of children from the age of 6 weeks to 5 1/2 providing nutritious meals and fun activities all day long.