Fall is one of the easiest and most exciting seasons to teach preschoolers about! The colors change, the weather cools down, and there are so many opportunities to explore the world around us. From hands-on nature walks to simple crafts, you can turn every autumn moment into a fun learning experience.
Start with Observation
Preschoolers learn best by seeing and doing. Take your child outside to notice the changes that come with fall:
- Look at the trees and talk about the changing leaf colors.
- Collect fallen leaves, pinecones, and acorns.
- Talk about how the air feels cooler and the days are getting shorter.
Encourage your child to describe what they see and feel. This builds early science and vocabulary skills.
Use Books About Fall
Books are a wonderful way to bring fall to life. Some favorite preschool picks include:
Read aloud together and ask questions about what’s happening in the story. You can even pair a book with a related craft or printable activity.
Incorporate Fall Crafts and Art Projects
Nothing helps preschoolers connect with a season quite like getting creative! Fall is full of textures and colors that make it easy to turn simple crafts into meaningful learning moments.
Try activities like:
- Leaf rubbings using crayons and paper to explore shapes and textures.
- Apple stamping with red, green, and yellow paint to make patterns.
- Handprint trees to show how trees change with each season.
These crafts aren’t just fun; they build fine motor skills, spark imagination, and help little ones understand the natural world around them.
If your child loves hands-on projects, my Seasons Unit Study includes printable art activities for every season, so you can keep exploring how the world changes long after fall ends. It’s a great way to combine creativity with learning all year long!
Explore Fall Through Science
Preschoolers are natural scientists! You can introduce simple experiments and discussions like:
- Why leaves change color – Show that leaves have different pigments by soaking a leaf in alcohol and observing color changes.
- Apple oxidation – Cut an apple and watch how it turns brown over time.
- Pumpkin investigation – Weigh it, measure it, count the seeds, and test if it sinks or floats.
These activities encourage curiosity and hands-on learning.
Bring Math and Literacy Into the Season
You can tie in fall themes to core preschool skills:
- Count leaves, apples, or pumpkins.
- Sort objects by color or size.
- Practice writing fall words like “leaf,” “acorn,” or “apple.”
- Use themed printables to trace letters and numbers.
If you have fall-themed worksheets, try turning them into hands-on games, for example, matching leaves with letter sounds or hopping to numbers written on pumpkins.
Talk About Fall Holidays and Traditions
Preschoolers love learning about what makes each season special! Talk about:
- Harvest festivals
- Halloween (pumpkins, costumes, and candy safety)
- Thanksgiving (gratitude and family gatherings)
Keep discussions light and age-appropriate, focusing on the fun and meaning behind each tradition.
Create a Fall Sensory Bin
Fill a bin with dried corn, pinecones, fake leaves, and small pumpkins. Add scoops, cups, and little toys for exploring textures and sounds. Sensory play supports language development and imaginative play.
End with Reflection
Ask your child what they love most about fall. Make a “Fall Favorites” booklet together with drawings or photos of their favorite fall things, leaves, apples, pumpkins, and more. It’s a sweet keepsake and a literacy project in one!
Teaching preschoolers about fall doesn’t need to be complicated; it’s about observing, exploring, and enjoying the world around you. Whether you’re reading books, crafting, or heading outdoors, every moment becomes a learning opportunity.
If you want ready-to-use fall printables, activities, and themed lessons, check out my Seasons Unit Study and Printables.
- Jeni
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