The fall is an excellent time of year to get outside and play in the fall leaves.
Here are ten fall leaf activities that kids from toddlers to teens can do outside with fresh fallen autumn leaves. Encourage your children to go outside to play with fall leaves with these fun outdoor activities. You might also enjoy the ideas on this excellent list of outdoor learning ideas and nature activities for kids.
Related: 20 Ways to Play in the Rain
Outdoor Fall Leaf Activities: 11 Ways to Have Fun Outside with Fall Leaves
There are so many fun ways to play with fresh fallen autumn leaves. Here’s a list of fall activities, including a few classic fall leaf activities, such as jumping in a pile of leaves, and new and unique ways to play and learn with autumn leaves.
You won’t need much more than a rake for most of these fall leaf activities. Simply step outside, and you’re good to go. So encourage children to get outside to play outdoors with autumn leaves!
This post is part of the Get Outside and Connect Series. To learn more about it, click on the link.
**Click on the blue text for the directions for each outdoor fall activity.**
1. Play Fall Leaf Counting Games
Try fall leaves counting games this autumn. Click on the link to find out how.
2. Rake and Jump in Piles of Leaves
This activity is one of the simplest and most classic ways to get outside and have fun with fall leaves. Want to make jumping in the leaves more interesting? Try one of the following two outdoor autumn leaf activities while you’re at it.
3. Make a Leaf Maze or Labyrinth in Your Backyard
If you have to rake leaves in the autumn months, why not make a leaf maze or labyrinth such as THIS one while you’re out there? Raking leaves into the shape of a maze is a fun way to play with fall leaves before raking them up. Your children are sure to love this fun fall activity idea!
4. Make a Leaf Slide
If you’re looking for a unique and fun fall activity for the backyard, make a leaf side! Yup, you read that right–a leaf slide!
Making a leaf slide is another excellent fall activity children can do while they are outside raking leaves. Hop on over to Happy Hooligans for all of the fun details.
5. Go on a Leaf Hunt
Go on a leaf hunt with this fun and educational fall leaf idea from Edventures with Kids! Use the printable fall leaf scavenger hunt cards to inspire your children to get outside, practice a little math, and (most of all) enjoy the season’s beauty!
6. Find the Tree That Matches the Leaf
Visit A Mom with a Lesson Plan for the details on how to play this fun fall leaf game.
7. Use Fall Leaves to Make Land Art
The Artful Parent shares a lovely article about using fall leaves and other natural materials to create gorgeous land art. Click HERE to learn about the land artist Richard Shilling and this beautiful way to create art.
8. Look for Symmetry in Nature
Turn your next nature walk into a simple lesson in symmetry with this fun fall leaf activity for kids. Use real autumn leaves and other natural items to see if they are symmetrical or not. Looking for symmetrical patterns and shapes in the great outdoors is a simple, hands-on way for kids to explore basic math concepts.
9. Learn to Identify Leaves and Trees
Take your favorite leaf or tree field guide
with you on a nature walk, or pick some autumn leaves and bring them home to explore in more depth.
Next, use the Wildlife Guide by Reader’s Digest, or any of the tree books and field guides listed below, to help your children learn how to identify the leaves and trees that grow in your neighborhood, park, or nature preserve.
10. Leaf Counting Scavenger Hunt
This fall leaf scavenger hunt by Hands on as We Grow shares a different way to count leaves outdoors. Click on the link to learn about this simple leaf-counting twist. Next, invite children to try this fun leaf scavenger hunt.
11. Collect Leaves for Fall Leaf Crafts
Whether making a fall leaf crown, creating autumn leaf art, or learning to sew, there are many fun and easy ways to play, learn and craft with leaves. So, encourage the kids to get outside to collect leaves to make fall leaf crafts. Try any of the fall leaf arts and crafts listed below.
- How to Preserve Leaves
- Autumn Leaf Crown Craft
- Fall Leaf Sewing for Kids
- Best Fall Art Projects (Contains fall leaf art ideas)
- Fall Nature Crafts (Lists fall leaf crafts)
- Turkey Leaf Crafts for Thanksgiving
- Watercolor and Fall Leaves Art
- Heart Leaf Lanterns
- Leaf Baby Craft
- Turkey Leaf Lanterns
- How to Make a Thankful Tree with Real Leaves
Related: Nature Crafts and Nature Activities that use Natural Materials
Outdoor Fall Leaf Activities for kids
Get outside, connect and have fun playing and learning about leaves this fall with these fun outdoor activities for kids!
And if you are looking for more outside activities, here’s a list of Outdoor Learning Ideas and Nature Activities for Kids.
Don’t forget to look at our fall bucket list seasonal activity guide for the best autumn ever!
Learn more about Rhythms of Play HERE!
More Fall Activities for Kids
- Fall Scavenger Hunt Printable
- Signs of Autumn Scavenger Hunt
- Fall Books for Kids
- Best Fall Art Projects for Kids
- Fall Nature Crafts
- Bucket List of Fun Fall Activities
- Squirrel Facts and Fun Ways to Learn About Squirrels
These Outdoor Activities for Kids are really awesome because nowadays children are becoming lazy due to the smart devices and games which are available in the smart devices. But that went outside they will get some physical exercises that may help them to get healthy.
I agree, Kiera. Outdoor activities are increasingly important in modern days. Games and smart devices lead to inactivity, while outdoor play keeps kids moving, playing, and most using their imagination. All three of which keep children healthy and learning!