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Falling for Fun: Autumn Activities for Children of All Ages
- Alyssa Miller
- Sep 30
- 7 min read
☀️ After the heat of summer—when playgrounds can feel a little too warm and energy fades quickly—fall arrives as a refreshing change. 🍂 Cooler weather means more chances to get outside, stretch our legs, and breathe in crisp air without worrying about the midday sun.
Most of us can relate—whether it’s memories from our own childhood or sweet moments with the children we nanny—autumn brings back the joy of leaf piles, nature walks, and the simple delight of having more room to play and explore.
As the air turns crisp and the leaves begin to change, fall invites us to slow down, savor cozy traditions, and soak in the beauty of nature. Whether it’s little ones racing around outside or crafting masterpieces at the kitchen table, there’s no shortage of age-appropriate activities that make autumn extra special.
💡 Fun fact: children are far more capable of doing all the things than most adults realize.
As a nanny, I’ve always loved sharing this truth—especially with friends and family who underestimate kids’ abilities or even questioned my career choice. And if you know me, you know I’m not one to sit still. Our days are filled with learning, exploring, and growing—always sprinkled with cozy moments of rest and recovery. ✨
🍁 Babies & Toddlers: Exploring Autumn Through Little Eyes
Fall is full of colors, textures, and sounds—making it the perfect season for babies and toddlers to explore the world around them. Even the simplest activities can spark curiosity and joy when experienced through their eyes. Here are a few nanny-approved favorites:
Stroller Walks to Admire Colorful Leaves
Stroller walks might just be my all-time favorite fall activity. 🚶♀️🍂 You get the best of everything—exercise, a slower pace to soak it all in, and endless opportunities for sensory exploration and learning. Sign me up!
What looks like a simple walk quickly turns into a mini adventure: babies are mesmerized by the swirl of colorful leaves and the crunch beneath the wheels, while toddlers love spotting shapes, colors, and even the occasional squirrel or bird. Every stroll becomes a chance to discover something new.
📝 Nanny tip: Always be prepared with a bag or—most importantly—pants with pockets. If there’s one guarantee, it’s that we’ll come home with a pocket full of leaves (fresh or crushed—babies and toddlers don’t discriminate) and at least a rock or two.
Sensory Play with Pumpkins, Pinecones, and Apples
Craft time and sensory bins are a must for babies and toddlers! 🎨✨ Not only are they learning about textures, colors, and shapes, but it’s also the perfect chance to start practicing simple rules—like using items safely and taking turns.
A low bin or basket filled with safe, seasonal treasures makes for endless discovery. Think bumpy pinecones, smooth apples, and even the ooey-gooey squish of pumpkin pulp. 🍎🎃 Little hands stay busy, little minds stay curious, and playtime turns into learning time without them even realizing it.
Seasonal Story Time with Autumn-Themed Books
Over my years of nannying, I’ve grown to love children’s books. 📚 From library trips to picking out the perfect gift, there’s nothing better than finding stories that spark a child’s imagination. Reading together is always magical, but autumn books add an extra cozy touch. 🍁 Whether it’s before nap time or to end the day, curling up with a blanket and a stack of seasonal favorites makes story time feel like pure magic.
🍎 Preschool & Elementary Kids: Big Adventures for Growing Minds
Preschoolers and elementary kids are at the perfect age to dive headfirst into all the excitement autumn has to offer. This stage quickly became my favorite—not only is there so much growth happening in such a short time, but their imaginations truly start to come alive alongside their growing independence. ✨ And as a nanny who loves joining in on the fun, this is when we get to tap into our own creativity and share in the magic of make-believe.
Their curiosity, energy, and sense of wonder turn even the simplest activities into big adventures:
Apple Picking & Pumpkin Patch Visits
Nothing says fall quite like taking the kids apple picking or searching for that ‘just right’ pumpkin. 🍏🎃
As a nanny, I love these outings because they check all the boxes—fun, educational, and delicious! They’re the perfect way to teach little ones where their food comes from, while also letting them burn off energy outdoors. And honestly, it’s the best of both worlds: an activity and snack time all rolled into one.
Watching their faces light up as they bite into a fresh apple or proudly carry their pumpkin is pure autumn magic—and the sweet family memories (and photos!) are priceless.
Leaf Art Projects
Armed with crayons, glue, and a pile of colorful leaves, kids can turn nature into art. Try rubbings, collages, or even making leaf animals. It’s a simple way to spark creativity while also sneaking in lessons about shapes, colors, and textures. 🍂✨
📝 Nanny tip: Stay organized and give kids just a few supplies at a time—otherwise you’ll have glue sticks rolling under the table, leaves flying across the room, and glitter everywhere. (Let’s be honest, nannying is already pure chaos—we don’t need to add more!)
Baking Simple Treats
Little helpers love being part of the kitchen action! 🧑🍳 Baking pumpkin muffins, apple crisp, or other easy fall treats is not only delicious but also sneaks in lessons in early math (measuring and counting) and science (mixing and baking).
As a nanny, who loves to bake, I’ll admit—it can be tough to step back and let them take the lead, especially when I have my own ideas of how things should go. But this is all about them. Flour on the counter, extra sprinkles, slightly lopsided muffins… it’s part of the joy. And the best part? Sharing the finished product together—made with their pride and independence baked right in. 🧁✨
🌽 Tweens & Teens: Making the Most of Fall
Having been a nanny for tweens and teens many times, I know firsthand how this stage brings a whole new level of growth—and challenge. 🌱 All those early lessons in rules and routines that we worked so hard to establish in the baby and toddler years? This is when they really start to matter. Those boundaries become the framework that helps tweens and teens navigate their growing independence. They’re eager to make their own choices, try new experiences, and stretch their wings a little further ✨—but they still need us in the background.
📝 Nanny Tip: With tweens and teens, our role is to balance freedom and boundaries—giving them space to explore and make choices, while staying close enough to keep them safe and supported. 💛
Fall is the perfect season for tweens and teens to enjoy activities that balance fun, independence, and a little bit of responsibility. Whether outdoors, crafting, or giving back, there are plenty of ways to keep older kids engaged.
Get Lost in a Corn Maze or Fall Festival
Corn mazes and fall festivals are great adventures for tweens and teens. They allow kids to explore, problem-solve, and work together with friends or family. Plus, the festive atmosphere—think hayrides 🚜, caramel apples 🍎, and live music 🎶—creates memories that last long after the season ends.
For me, corn mazes bring back some of my favorite childhood memories. Every year when I was around this age, my family and I would head to a local farm that had a nighttime corn maze. We’d split into teams—my parents, siblings, me, and any cousins or friends who could join us—armed with flashlights 🔦 (don’t worry, there was plenty of lighting, but who doesn’t love the thrill of a flashlight adventure?). The challenge was to collect all the stamps on a map of the maze before the other team, and the race made it even more exciting. Reliving those moments with the children I have nannied for—watching them light up with the same joy and excitement ✨—makes these activities even more special. 🧡
DIY Fall Décor Crafts
Encourage creativity by introducing DIY fall décor projects. Tweens and teens can design their own wreaths, table centerpieces, or even painted pumpkins. 🎃 These projects not only add charm to the home but also give them a sense of accomplishment when their handmade décor is proudly displayed.
And let’s be honest—remember all those sweet little crafts from the early years that often ended up in the recycling bin? This is the stage when us really crafty nannies get to shine, because tweens and teens are capable of making the “cool” projects that can actually become part of the home décor.
I’ll admit it: fall is the kickoff to my decorating frenzy 🍁—and I love nothing more than sharing that excitement with the kids I care for. Creating festive wreaths for the front door, table centerpieces that wow guests, or pumpkins painted in trendy designs makes the season feel extra special. For me, it’s not just about the finished product, it’s about the joy of decorating together and watching them beam with pride when their handiwork brightens up the house. 🧡
Volunteering at Local Harvest Events
Autumn is also a season of giving back. Many communities host harvest events 🌾, food drives, or seasonal fundraisers that need volunteers. Encouraging teens to help out fosters a sense of responsibility and community spirit—while also looking great on future resumes or college applications.
Volunteering with kids at this age is especially rewarding. They’re old enough to understand the impact they’re making, yet young enough to still get excited about being part of something bigger than themselves. I’ve seen how proud tweens and teens feel after serving hot cocoa at a fundraiser ☕, helping set up pumpkins at a community event 🎃, or collecting canned goods for a food drive. Experiences like these build character and give us as caregivers the chance to model gratitude and kindness alongside them. Best of all, they walk away knowing they’ve truly made a difference—and that’s the kind of memory that sticks.
🍂 Final Thoughts
Fall is a season for fresh air, creativity, and comfort. By choosing activities that suit every age, families can soak up the best of autumn while building traditions that last year after year.
As a nanny living in South Florida (where summer is basically 365 days a year 🌴☀️), I’ll admit—I miss these cozy fall traditions. So to all my fellow nannies experiencing a true autumn, craft a little extra, savor that crisp fall air and golden scenery, and bundle up a little tighter—for me! 🍁✨
👉 Up next in this series: Winter Wonders: Cold Weather Friendly Activities
About the Author: Alyssa brings over a decade of private childcare experience, backed by degrees in Education and Human Development. After leading a household team as a Nanny and Family Assistant for a UHNW family, she now supports candidates at Oceanside Staffing through every step of the interview process.
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