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Fall Activity Calendars for Kids

Fall is the perfect time to embrace all the changes happening in nature and make your homeschool days extra exciting. Whether you’re looking for seasonal learning ideas or just fun ways to keep your kids engaged, there are plenty of activities to enjoy during the autumn months. And to make things even easier, I’ve created a printable set of fall activity calendars that you can download and use to plan your entire season of fall fun!

Why Plan Fall Activities?

Fall is full of sensory experiences—cooler weather, colorful leaves, pumpkin everything! By incorporating themed activities, you can make learning more exciting and relevant to the season. It’s also a great way to bring the family together and create memorable traditions, all while encouraging your kids to explore, create, and learn.

Fun Fall Activity Ideas for Kids

Here are a few fall activities that your family can enjoy throughout the season, whether you’re homeschooling or just looking for fun things to do as a family:

  1. Nature Walks & Leaf Collecting
    Take advantage of the beautiful fall colors by going on nature walks. Encourage your kids to collect leaves, pinecones, and acorns, and then use them for art projects, science lessons, or even building a nature collage.
  2. Pumpkin Decorating
    Skip the carving and try painting pumpkins this year! Your kids can express their creativity without the mess of pumpkin guts. Use acrylic paint, glitter, stickers, or even googly eyes to make each pumpkin unique. My daughters have loved doing this for years!
  3. Fall-Themed Science Experiments
    Create your own fall science lab! Try experiments like making your own pumpkin volcano, testing the buoyancy of apples, or creating leaf chromatography to see the different pigments in leaves.
  4. Baking Fall Treats
    Let your kids get hands-on in the kitchen by baking fall-themed treats like pumpkin muffins, apple pie, or caramel popcorn. Not only is this a fun activity, but it also teaches valuable life skills like measuring, following instructions, and kitchen safety.
  5. Create a Fall Bucket List
    Have your kids help create a fall bucket list, filled with activities they want to do before winter arrives. Ideas might include visiting a pumpkin patch, having a family movie night, building a scarecrow, or making homemade apple cider. You can find a free printable fall bucket list here: Fall Bucket List for Homeschool Families
  6. Storytime with Fall Books
    Snuggle up with cozy blankets and read fall-themed picture books. There are so many great options that capture the magic of the season and spark your kids’ imagination.
  7. DIY Fall Crafts
    Get creative with some easy DIY crafts. Try making leaf rubbings, apple stamp paintings, pinecone bird feeders, or even paper plate scarecrows. Crafts help with fine motor skills and give your kids something fun to display around the house.
  8. Outdoor Obstacle Course
    Use the fallen leaves, pumpkins, and other natural elements to create an outdoor obstacle course. Kids can jump over piles of leaves, balance on logs, or crawl under branches. It’s a great way to get some exercise and fresh air.
  9. Fall-Themed Writing Prompts
    Use the season as inspiration for creative writing. Have your kids write stories about a haunted forest, describe their favorite fall day, or imagine what a pumpkin’s life might be like. You can also use our free printable fall writing prompts to get started or the free Fall Mad Libs.
  10. Harvest-Themed Scavenger Hunt
    Create a list of fall-themed items for your kids to find, such as an orange leaf, a smooth rock, or a pinecone. You can do this on a hike or in your own backyard! You can download a free printable fall scavenger hunt in this post.

Free Printable Fall Activity Calendars

To make planning your fall activities easy, I’ve put together a free set of fall activity calendars that you can download and print out. Each calendar includes daily suggestions for fun, engaging, and educational fall activities. These are perfect for homeschool families or anyone looking to bring a little extra autumn joy into their daily routines.

Here are some tips for how to make the most of the fall activity calendars in your homeschool:

1. Incorporate Activities into Your Daily Routine

Each day on the calendar features a fun, seasonal activity. Try incorporating one activity into your daily homeschool routine. This might mean starting the day with a nature walk, ending with a craft, or using the activity as a reward after lessons are completed.

2. Pair Activities with Lessons

Many fall activities can be paired with subjects you’re already teaching. For example:

  • Science: Conduct fall-themed experiments (like pumpkin dissection) or study leaves and trees during nature walks.
  • Writing: Use fall writing prompts or ask your kids to write about their experiences with the daily activity.
  • Math: Incorporate baking into math lessons, measuring ingredients for pumpkin muffins or apple pies.

3. Use Flexibility in Your Schedule

The calendar is designed with daily activities, but don’t feel pressured to do them all. Use it as a flexible guide—choose the activities that best fit your family’s schedule or your kids’ interests. You can always save an activity for a weekend or double up on a rainy day.

4. Create a Weekly Focus

Organize your weeks by focusing on a specific theme from the calendar. For example:

  • Week 1: Nature and outdoor exploration (leaf collecting, nature walks)
  • Week 2: Creative projects (crafts, pumpkin decorating)
  • Week 3: Cooking and baking fall treats

    This way, you can plan lessons and activities that tie together, making your homeschool flow more smoothly.

5. Encourage Independent Learning

Some activities on the calendar can be done independently, giving your children a chance to take initiative. Set them up with a nature journal, let them create their own leaf rubbings, or encourage them to brainstorm ideas for a fall-themed story.

6. Get the Whole Family Involved

Make the fall activities a family affair. Involve siblings, or even parents, in the fun. For example, family movie night or fall baking can become a bonding activity, allowing everyone to participate in the seasonal fun.

7. Document the Season

Encourage your children to keep a fall journal, documenting the activities they’ve done. They can write about what they’ve learned, how they felt, and even draw pictures of their favorite moments. By the end of the season, they’ll have a keepsake full of memories.

8. Modify Activities for Different Ages

The calendar is great for all ages, but feel free to adapt the activities to fit the abilities of your kids. For younger children, simplify crafts or let them help with baking tasks that are safe and easy. For older kids, challenge them with more complex versions of the activities, like planning the outdoor obstacle course or organizing the family scavenger hunt.

9. Make Time for Reflection

After completing each activity, take a few minutes to reflect on the experience with your kids. Ask them what they enjoyed most, what they learned, or what they’d like to try differently next time. This helps build communication skills and reinforces the educational aspect of the activities.

10. Use the Calendar as a Reward System

If you’re looking for a way to motivate your kids to finish their homeschool work, use the fall activities as a reward. Once they complete their lessons for the day, they can pick a fun activity from the calendar to enjoy.

Fall is the perfect season to explore the world with your kids and make lasting memories. With a mix of outdoor adventures, creative projects, and cozy indoor activities, there’s no shortage of fun to be had. By using these ideas and following along with our printable fall activity calendars, you can easily plan a season full of enriching experiences that your kids will love.

Ready to dive into a fun-filled fall? Don’t forget to download your free fall activity calendars and start planning today!

Sara
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