Autumn is one of the most beautiful times of the year, with leaves changing colour and new textures to discover, spending time in Nature has never been more important. A recent survey by popular nursery chain Kiddi Caru shows that only 31% of children aged two to five get less than three hours of time outdoors per week once the seasons change.
Being outside has so many positive health factors, and with so many new things to discover in the Autumn, we have put together some ideas to help you embrace nature with your little one.
Read on to find out more.
Scavenger Hunt
One of the most popular Kiddi Caru Nursery activities is a scavenger hunt, which has been kindly created so that you can take your child to the local park and unearth the wonders of nature – no matter the weather.
Together, you could hunt for things like orange, red, yellow and green leaves, bark off of trees, pinecones, acorns, a winged seed, sticks, conkers, feathers, a white cloud, red berries, snails and cobwebs. You can download the complete treasure hunt here, and snap a photo of your child in their element as they explore the different textures, sizes and weights of each object.
Whilst out and about, make sure to take some paper and crayons, as whilst you’re hunting for different things, your child could make tree rubbings and discover the different patterns of the bark – allowing them to collect something to take home.
Apple Picking
Not only is Autumn the perfect time to visit a pumpkin patch and pick your own to carve faces in, but it’s the best time to crunch in the leaves or squelch in the mud with your wellies on at an orchid, where the trees will be brimming with apples. Your little one will love pushing a mini-wheelbarrow and collecting the Snow-White red apples ready to be washed, eaten, pressed or made into delicious jam! Not only this, but there’s no better time to teach your toddler about the lifecycle of trees, or that when they pick the apple, it encourages it to grow back next year!
Fly a kite
With the wind picking up, why not climb to the top of a hill and fly a kite! You could even make your own kite by cutting up an old rain mac or some brown paper, attaching some bamboo poles or twigs in a cross and tying string to the middle. Your child will love learning how the wind works and the wonders it can create as they fly their kite high up in the sky.
Painting pine cones
Whilst jumping into piles of crunchy leaves, and seeing who can find the biggest one, you’re sure to come across lots of different sized pinecones, too. Spend the day out collecting these, and on a rainy day, you’ll have something to paint and cover in glitter to create the perfect DIY Autumnal centre piece.
Puddle jumping
As the seasons change, the rain will inevitably pour down, and when the leaves are too soggy to jump into, you could always wear your wellies and jump from puddle to puddle, creating a muddy obstacle course for your little one. If they’re particularly taken by the mud – why not bring a bucket and find some sticks so they can collect leaves, flowers and anything else to stir together and create a marvelous, messy, mud pie!
