Autumn Sensory Play Ideas for Toddlers

14 November 2023

Young child standing in a wood. They are holding a big pile of autumn leaves in front of their face

Autumn is a beautiful time to be out in nature, and whilst walking in nature can be enjoyable, some toddlers may prefer to play with nature instead! Our resident OT has suggested four creative Autumn sensory play ideas suitable for toddlers (and they don't need to cost a thing!).

Make a Playdough Autumn Tree

Before you begin, collect leaves outside, our tip is to find different colours and shapes and talk about these with your child. Once inside, use playdough to roll a tree trunk and even shape some small branches. Once completed, add the leaves collected to complete the tree. Great for visual discrimination and fine motor skills

 

Autumn Sensory Bin

Fill a shallow container with dried leaves, small pinecones, acorns, and other autumn treasures. Let your toddler explore the textures and colours with their hands. You can also hide objects for them to find in the container. Great for developing tactile discrimination

 

Leaf Pile Jumping

Gather some leaves into a big pile. Then take a running start and jump into a pile of leaves. Great for proprioceptive feedback to improve self-regulation

 

Animal Design Copy

Select a few different colours and shapes of leaves and make an animal design for your child to copy. Great for developing visual perception and motor planning


These activities are not just about having fun in the fall. Whether it's making a playdough tree, exploring a sensory bin, jumping in leaf piles, or copying leaf designs, your toddler is also learning and growing. These simple games help with motor skills, recognising things, and even self-control. Enjoy the autumnal vibes with these easy and playful activities for your little ones!


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