Nature Inspired Outdoor Play Ideas in Autumn

Little Nature Tots is a nature-inspired play group for toddlers, preschoolers & babies, set in a beautiful woodland in Moorgreen, Nottingham. We aim to promote child-led play, in a natural environment that enables children to develop early foundations for learning and ignite a love for the outdoors. 🌳

Here are some of our favourite nature-inspired activities to inspire you this Autumn - with a Halloween twist...

For more support on your nature based planning please also check out our Rewilding Wanderlust Nature Study Programme

Pumpkin Hammer

A fun way to encourage children to develop their fine motor skills. Golf Tees are perfect for little hands and using miniature real hammers they will feel very independent. Why not extend this activity by removing the golf tees and then letting the children poke sticks into the holes.

Pumpkin Patch

We love to visit or set up a pumpkin patch with straw and bales of hay - placing the pumpkins in amongst for the children to find. Add wooden crates, mini wheelbarrows, diggers and a shop counter to weigh your pumpkins! 

Role play is vital in developing social, emotional and language development.

Witch & Wizard Mud Kitchen

A mud kitchen provides so many learning opportunities, including: communication and language, social interaction, engagement, independence, imagination and so much more! Measuring and counting ingredients for early Maths.

Pumpkin Painting

Early mark-making skills are a key component for early writing. Practice those hand movements with brush strokes, providing paint and even pens. Once these are dry you can add them to the pumpkin hammering station for more decoration!

Witch and Wizard Nature Wands

Create your own magic wands with sticks and nature. Let children collect their own sticks, leaves, feathers. Add hole punches for children to make nature confetti to stick to their wands. Creativity and crafts are important for developing fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

With thanks to Emily, from Little Nature Tots for writing this post and sharing her autumn nature play activities. Please head to instagram and Facebook to give her a follow for more ideas.

Find out more about our Hygge in the Early Years Accreditation and short courses