Autumn is a season of change—cooler mornings, crunchy leaves, and shifting colours in nature. At Aussie Kindies Early Learning, we love using sensory play to help children explore and understand these changes. Engaging with nature through hands-on activities sparks curiosity, builds essential developmental skills, and encourages a love for learning.
Our Lifelong Learning Curriculum, aligned with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), provides children with rich, play-based experiences designed to develop confidence, independence, and critical thinking. Best of all, you can bring these experiences into your own home! Here are some simple and fun autumn sensory play ideas to try with your child.
Why Sensory Play Matters
Sensory play is more than just messy fun—it’s an important way for children to build cognitive connections, fine motor skills, and social-emotional resilience. Studies show that sensory-rich experiences help young children develop stronger problem-solving skills, improve focus, and enhance their ability to regulate emotions.
With autumn offering a variety of natural textures, sounds, and colours, now is the perfect time to encourage your child to explore the world around them through sensory play.
Fun Autumn Sensory Play Ideas
1. Exploring Crunchy Leaves
Autumn leaves provide endless opportunities for sensory discovery. Try:
- Leaf pile play: Rake up a pile of leaves and let your child jump, toss, and roll in them.
- Leaf sorting: Gather leaves of different colours and sizes for a simple sorting activity.
- Leaf rubbings: Place leaves under paper and rub over them with crayons to create beautiful patterns.
- Sensory bins: Fill a tub with dried leaves, twigs, and pinecones for tactile exploration.
2. Nature’s Loose Parts Play
Loose parts play encourages creativity, problem-solving, and fine motor skills. Collect seed pods, twigs, gum nuts, and pebbles, and use them for:
- Stacking and balancing games.
- Creating nature-inspired artwork.
- Building small structures to encourage problem-solving.
3. Autumn Weather Exploration
The transition from summer to autumn provides a great chance to talk about changing weather:
- Wind play: Watch leaves swirl in the wind or create wind chimes using sticks and string.
- Puddle jumping: Let your child experience the joy of splashing in puddles after a light autumn shower.
- Cooler mornings: Talk about the difference between warm afternoons and chilly mornings, helping children develop environmental awareness.
4. Bug Hunting and Nature Walks
Autumn is a great time to observe changes in nature and wildlife. Try:
- Bug spotting: Look for ladybugs, caterpillars, or ants under leaves and rocks.
- Nature walks: Encourage children to listen to the sounds of birds, rustling leaves, and the wind.
- Observing seasonal changes: Discuss how some animals prepare for winter, like birds migrating or insects finding shelter.
5. Autumn Messy Play
Messy play is a fantastic way to engage your child’s sense of touch, smell, and creativity. Some fun ideas include:
- Pumpkin or apple-scented playdough, using cinnamon or nutmeg for a seasonal twist.
- Autumn sensory bins, with coloured rice, dried beans, or pasta in warm autumn hues.
- Mud kitchen fun, where children mix leaves, twigs, and water to make pretend seasonal recipes.
How Sensory Play Supports Learning
At Aussie Kindies Early Learning, our Lifelong Learning Curriculum ensures that sensory experiences support key EYLF learning outcomes:
- Building confidence and independence through hands-on exploration.
- Developing a connection to nature and an understanding of environmental changes.
- Enhancing motor skills through activities like sorting, stacking, and jumping.
- Strengthening language and communication skills as children describe what they see and feel.
Bringing Autumn Sensory Play into Your Home
You don’t need fancy toys to create meaningful learning experiences—nature provides all the materials you need! Here are a few easy ideas:
- Go on a nature treasure hunt, collecting leaves, twigs, and acorns for sensory play.
- Set up a seasonal exploration bin using items found in your backyard or at the park.
- Read autumn-themed books together, encouraging storytelling and discussion.
- Encourage dressing for the season, practising zipping jackets, putting on hats, and wearing gumboots.
Enjoying the Magic of Autumn Together
At Aussie Kindies, we believe that sensory play helps children build essential skills while having fun. This autumn, take time to explore nature’s changes with your child—whether it’s crunching through leaves, listening to the wind, or spotting insects in the garden.
We’d love to see what you create at home! Share your autumn sensory play photos with us and let’s celebrate the joys of the season together.
Want to learn more about how we integrate sensory learning into our curriculum? Speak to your child’s educators at Aussie Kindies today!