Now that the weather is getting chilly, here are some ways to keep kiddos playing, even when you’re snuggled up indoors!

For kiddos ages 1-4, here are 4 ideas:

1.Leaf Sensory Bin– Fill a shallow bin with dried leaves, soft fabric leaves, small pumpkins, and scoops or cups. Let kiddo explore the textures and sounds of fall!

2. Apple Stamping– Cut apples in half, dip the flat side in washable paint, and stamp onto paper. Try mixing red, yellow, and green for a rainbow of apple prints!

3. Pumpkin Play Dough– Make homemade orange play dough and add a dash of pumpkin pie spice. Great for rolling, cutting, and making little “pumpkin pies.” Dough can be made at home by mixing 2 cups all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup salt, 4 teaspoons cream of tartar, 2 cups lukewarm water, and 2 tablespoons of vegetable or coconut oil.

4. Storytime Fort– Build a cozy blanket fort, bring a flashlight, and read simple fall books like Guess How Much I Love You, Biscuit Visits the Pumpkin Patch, or Duck & Goose Find a Pumpkin.

For kiddos ages 5-8, here are 4 more suggestions:

5. DIY Fall Garland– Cut out leaf shapes from colored paper, decorate them, and string them together to hang on a wall or window. Alternatively, you and kiddo could collect leaves from outside, hole punch them, and use them to create a garland!

6. Mini Indoor “Apple Bake-Off”– Let kiddo help mix up an easy apple snack like cinnamon apple slices or no-bake apple nachos (sliced apples with yogurt and granola).

7. Autumn Matching Game– Draw or print small fall-themed pictures (acorns, pumpkins, leaves), cut them out, and play a memory matching game.

8. Fall Movie & Craft Night– Watch a cozy movie like Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day and then draw your favorite part afterward!