fall activities to do at home with toddlers

Fall Fun: 20+ At-Home Activities for Toddlers

By Anthony WilsonJanuary 2, 2026

As the leaves begin to turn and the air grows crisp, it's time to start thinking about fall activities. While many of us love to head outdoors for apple picking, pumpkin patches, and leaf-peeping, there are plenty of fun and engaging activities you can do at home with your toddler. Here are some ideas to keep your little ones entertained and learning throughout the season.

Fall is a wonderful time to explore new themes and concepts with your toddler. From colors and textures to animals and weather, there's a wealth of topics to inspire creative and educational activities. So, let's dive into some fantastic fall activities you can enjoy at home with your toddler.

Fall Themed Crafts and Sensory Play

Crafts and sensory play are excellent ways to keep your toddler engaged and learning. They also provide opportunities for you to bond and have fun together.

Clean the Pumpkins Fall Toddler Activity - Busy Toddler

three handprints with leaves painted on them, one is orange and the other is yellow

Fingerprint Fall Tree Craft - Toddler at Play

Fall is rich with vibrant colors, and what better way to celebrate than with some color-mixing activities? Start by providing your toddler with red and yellow paint. As they mix these two colors, they'll discover the magic of creating orange – a perfect fall color!

Leaf Rubbing Art

Leaf rubbing is a simple yet effective way to introduce your toddler to textures and patterns. Collect leaves of various shapes and sizes, place them under a piece of paper, and have your little one gently rub a crayon over the paper to reveal the leaf's unique design.

two children are painting an autumn tree on paper

a young boy is playing with leaves on the floor

You can also use this activity to teach your toddler about different types of leaves and the changes they undergo during fall. As they rub the leaves, discuss their colors, shapes, and textures, and explain how they fall from the trees as the weather gets colder.

Pumpkin Sensory Bin

A pumpkin sensory bin is an excellent way to engage your toddler's senses while teaching them about fall's most iconic symbol. Fill a large bin with dried beans, rice, or even water, and add small pumpkins, scoops, and cups for your toddler to explore.

Encourage your toddler to scoop, pour, and transfer the pumpkins and other materials, helping them develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. As they play, discuss the pumpkins' texture, color, and shape, and talk about how they grow on the vine and are used for various purposes, like jack-o'-lanterns and pies.

Leaf printing that toddlers can’t stop doing try today

paper roll fall tree craft for kids with crayons on the table next to it

three leaf shaped stickers sitting on top of a brown surface next to some leaves

a bowl of cereal next to a paper cut out of a tree with leaves on it

handprints are hanging on the wall with words written in different colors and shapes

Fall Storytime and Learning

Storytime is an invaluable opportunity to foster your toddler's language development, imagination, and love for reading. Choose fall-themed books that introduce new concepts, encourage discussion, and promote bonding.

Here are some fantastic fall books to add to your toddler's library:

The Little Scarecrow Boy by Emily Hughes – A heartwarming tale about a scarecrow who longs for friendship and the changing seasons.
Applesauce Season by Helen Frost – A poetic and rhythmic celebration of fall, with beautiful illustrations by Loretta Lopez.
Pumpkin Pumpkin by Jeanne Titheridge – A delightful counting book that introduces various pumpkin types and their uses.

Fall Science Experiments

Science experiments can be both fun and educational for toddlers. Here's a simple and engaging fall-themed experiment to try at home:

two handprints made to look like ghostes on the floor with blue and white paper

Cotton Ball Autumn Tree Craft - Toddler at Play

several handprints with letters and numbers on them

two children are making a string art project with acorns in the shape of letters

an art project with leaves and ladybugs on the paper, next to tulips

Easy Pom Pom Painting Fall Tree Craft for Toddlers & Preschoolers

Jack-o-Lantern Sensory Bin for Toddlers - HAPPY TODDLER PLAYTIME

a little boy playing with leaves in front of a white door and the words toddler approved easy fall tree activity for toddlers

an apple tree cutout with the word lucas on it and scissors next to it

Dancing Raisins – Fill a clear glass with sparkling water and add a few raisins. As the raisins sink, they'll suddenly "dance" back up to the surface due to the carbonation. This experiment demonstrates buoyancy and gas pressure in a fun and interactive way.

Explain the science behind the experiment using simple language, and encourage your toddler to ask questions and make observations. You can also try other fall-themed science activities, like exploring leaf chromatography or creating a mini weather station.

Fall Cooking and Baking

Involving your toddler in the kitchen is an excellent way to teach them about measurements, following instructions, and the science behind cooking. Plus, they'll love helping you create delicious fall treats!

Here are some easy and toddler-friendly fall recipes to try together:

Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies – A simple and tasty recipe that lets your toddler practice measuring ingredients and mixing.
Pumpkin Puree – Making pumpkin puree from scratch is an excellent way to introduce your toddler to the process of cooking and blending. Plus, you'll have homemade puree for all your favorite fall recipes!

As you cook and bake together, discuss the ingredients, their purposes, and the changes that occur during the cooking process. This will help your toddler develop an understanding of basic culinary concepts and a lifelong love for cooking.

Fall is a wonderful time to create lasting memories with your toddler through engaging and educational activities. By exploring the season's themes, colors, and textures, you'll foster your little one's curiosity, creativity, and love for learning. So, grab your apron, put on your favorite fall tunes, and enjoy the magic of this enchanting season with your toddler.