Autumn Outdoor Play Ideas

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Autumn Outdoor Play Ideas

Outdoor Play Canopy Sometimes we can be a little naive and associate outdoor play with the spring and summer months only, but the crazy thing is that outdoor play can be most enjoyable in autumn!

When the weather is turning cooler and the leaves are starting to fall off the trees, don’t keep children inside. All of the natural objects that are changing colour and falling onto the floor can make great play resources and are fantastic for sensory play.

If you have a play canopy installed, it makes the play experience even better as it will keep you and your children sheltered from the rain whilst still; benefiting from fresh air and the natural resources around them.

Natural Resources

Fallen leaves and other natural objects can create a lot of fun whilst playing outside and many arty projects can be created using them as the main resource. Furthermore, they cost nothing and it saves you sweeping them up to keep your outdoor play area tidy!
Listed below are just a few craft and game ideas that incorporate leaves and other natural objects.

Treasure hunts – Mounds of fallen leaves are great for hiding “treasure”. A treasure hunt is great exercise for children and if you use clues as well, it will develop their team building skills.

Play Acting/Fancy Dress – Leaves can be incorporated in play-acting games. Crowns can be made from leaves and flowers that are still around can be used to make pretty hair garlands.

Autumn Detective – Create work sheets with different leaves on and other objects such as conkers & acorns. The children can count how many of each leaf or object they find and tally them up on the worksheet. This also gets them interested in and exploring nature whilst practicing counting too.

Stamp Painting – Stamp painting with leaves and roller painting with pine cones can create really interesting art patterns and it is great fun just watching the children’s reactions when they see the patterns they have made and you don’t have to wash paint brushes out at the end of the day either!

Fairy Clothing – Children can design fairy clothing with leaves and grasses. Fairies can also be made from items such as old wooden pegs and then the clothing can be glued onto the pegs to make natural dresses for the fairies.

Have fun & don’t forget their Wellington Boots!

Download our How to… Get the Most out of your Canopy guide for more outdoor play andoutdoor learning ideas along with some handy worksheets for counting leaves, acorns and more!

Able Canopies Ltd. design, manufacture and install canopies and shade structures
at schools, nurseries and educational settings to enable year-round
Free Flow Outdoor Play and Outdoor Learning.
For more information please contact us

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Autumn Outdoor Play Ideas

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