12 Simple Fall Montessori Activities You Can Do At Home

With all the colourful leaves, pumpkins and gourds everywhere, and seasonal practical life activities, there are so many wonderful Montessori fall activities you can do with your little ones. 

Here's 12 of our favourites that are all really easy to setup. 

1. Drawing on a pumpkin with marker.
   
   Any markers you have will work and a damp cloth can be used as an “eraser” so your child can repeat as many times as they like.
   
   
   
   
2. Painting pumpkins
   
   If your child is currently more interested in painting, pull out the washable paints. You can either let the paint dry or also use a cloth as an "eraser". Spill-proof, washable paints like these work really well: https://themontessoriroom.com/products/crayola-spill-proof-washable-paint-set
   
   An art smock is also a good idea when using paints. It helps to keep clothes clean and when it's removed, signals the end of the activity.
   
   
   
   
3. Carving pumpkins
   
   This is a great activity for language development. Talk about the parts of a face and let your child lead on what it should look like. For example, ask “what shape should we make the eyes?”
   
   You can can give choices (square or circle?) or if your child is older, let them name the shape. 
   
   
4. Exploring pumpkin seeds and pulp
   
   This is a great sensorial activity for children 6 and under and very easy to do. Simply scoop out the pumpkin innards and place onto a large baking tray or into a bowl. 
   
   Step back and give your child the time and freedom to explore the pulp. 
   
   
   
   
5. Washing pumpkin seeds in a colander
   
   Once you're done with the activity above, work with your child to pick out all the pumpkin seeds, placing them into a colander while you work. 
   
   After collecting them all, rinse them off in the sink. You could roast them in the oven too, if you like. Here's a good recipe for roasting them: https://www.inspiredtaste.net/35546/easy-roasted-pumpkin-seeds-recipe/
   
   
6. Rolling pumpkins (big or small) outside
   
   Maria Montessori observed that children have an innate drive to do hard and heavy work, exerting maximum physical effort. That's why this activity is so popular.
   
   Grab a pumpkin and bring it outdoors, allowing your child the freedom to roll it around, pick it up, carry it, and move it around wherever they like. 
   
   
   
   
7. Raking leaves (once they start falling!)
   
   Although there hasn't been many leaves falling yet, when they do, many children love to help rake the leaves. 
   
   To do this effectively, you'll want to get a rake that's child sized, like this one.
   
   Demonstrate how to hold the rake and where to position the hands. Work together to rake the leaves into piles. 
   
   
   
   
8. Bagging leaves
   
   If you've been raking with your child, next show them how to fill the lawn bags with the leaves. 
   
   Demonstrate how to scoop a handful of leaves onto the end of the rake, move it over top of the lawn bag, and dump them in.
   
   
9. Exploring different types of leaves/trees
   
   Go out on a walk and pick up leaves that you find. Talk about what kind of tree they come from and then point to that tree when you see it. 
   
   
10. Collecting/Counting Acorns
    
    This is a great counting or sorting activity. Bring a bucket or small bag on your next walk and allow your child to collect as many acorns as they like. 
    
    Bring them home and count them, put them in order of smallest to largest, or group by different factors (ex. those with a top on versus off).
    
    
    
    
11. Exploring gourds in a basket
    
    This is a great activity for 6-11 months. It allows them to explore new textures while developing their hand-eye coordination in handling the gourds.
    
    Select 5-6 gourds and wash them before putting them into the basket. 
    
    Then sit with your child and pick up a gourd. Explore it with your senses, i.e. touch it, roll it, smell it, etc. Place it back into the basket once you are finished.
    
    Provide your infant with the time and space to discover and explore each one.
    
    
    
    
12. Start a Nature tray 
    
    We always laugh about this one in our house because once you start a nature tray, you'll never be able to walk quickly down the street again.
    
    Every walk becomes an opportunity to find little treasures for the nature tray :)
    
    To start, get a large tray or tupperware container. Go out for a walk with a basket or small bag. Explore and take your time. When your child finds an item of interest, name it and encourage them to put it in the basket/bag. When inside, place the found items on a tray with a magnifying glass.
    
    Here's a photo of our tray:
    
    
    And don't stress about doing them all! Choose just a few that you think your child would be interested in.