Fall - Autumn Theme and Activities

Fall or Autumn Songs, Fingerplays and Poems

Whisky Frisky (poem)
Whisky Frisky hippity hop
Up he goes to the treetop
Whirly twirly, round and round
Down he scampers to the ground
Furly curly what a tail
Tall as a feather and broad as a sail
Where's his supper? In the shell
Snappy, cracky, out if fell.

Grey Squirrel
Gray squirrel, gray squirrel
Swish your bushy tail (pretend to shake tail)
Gray squirrel, gray squirrel
Swish your bushy tail(pretend to shake tail)
Put a peanut in your toes (pretend to hold and eat a nut)
Wrinkle up your little nose (wrinkle nose)
Gray squirrel, gray squirrel(pretend to shake tail)
Swish your bushy tail.

Pretty Leaves
Pretty leaves they are falling
Falling down to the ground
When the wind blows his trumpet
See them dancing around
Tra-la-la-la-la-la-la
Tra-la-la-la-la-la
Tra-la-la-la-la-la-la
Tra-la-la-la-la-la
Pretty leaves they are falling
Falling down to the ground
When the wind blows his trumpet
See them sitting back down.

5 Little Leaves
Five little leaves so bright and gay
Were dancing about on a tree one day
The wind came blowing through the town
And one little leaf came tumbling down.

Four little leaves so bright and gay... etc.

Three little leaves so bright and gay... etc.

Two little leaves so bright and gay... etc.

One little leaf so bright and gay
Was dancing about on a tree one day
The wind came blowing through the town
And the last little leaf came tumbling down.

Fall or Autumn Crafts

• Leaf prints - Paint real leaves and then press them on paper for a print.
• Paint with leaf brushes - Collect leaves and tape to a small stick then use these instead of brushes for painting.
• Fingerpaint with fall colors.
• Handprint trees - Use a large sheet of paper and draw a tree trunk with marker or cut one out of construction paper then have the children dip their hands in fall colours and add the leaves to the tree.
• Fall Wreaths - Go on a nature walk and collect leaves and other fall findings. Cut out middle of a paper plate and have children glue their leaves, etc. onto the plate.
• Apple prints - cut the apple in half widthwise (not down from the stem) so the star is showing. Dip in paint and then stamp onto paper.
• Leaf Frame- Fold wax paper in 1/2, wax sides together. Slip leaf inbeween the fold and iron - the wax will melt onto the leaf, preserving it. Once perserved, glue the leaves onto a piece of fabric or paper. Make a frame from twigs collected in the woods and twine. Hang your fall masterpiece.
• Leaf Mobile - Have children cut out leaf shapes from fall coloured construction paper. Make an X with sticks and tie together in the center using a pipecleaner. Twist the pipecleaner into a hook for hanging. Attach string from the sticks and punch holes in the leaves. Tie to the string and hang.

Fall or Autumn Math and Science

• Squirrel Counting - Staple a squirrel cut-out to paper cuts. Write a different number on each squirrel. Have children count out nuts and place in correct cup.
• Leaf Graphing - Collect leaves outside. Make a large graph of either the colors of leaves or shapes of leaves and let children tape leaf into correct column.
• Sensory Table - Fill the table with different types of fall leaves, as well as acorns, pinecones and any other items often associated with fall. Also, provide the children with magnifying glasses, small rulers, and paper and crayons for leaf rubbings.
• Crunchy Leaf Science - How long does it take for the leaves to get crunchy? Click Here for details on this science experiment.

Outdoor Play

• Rake up piles of leaves and jump in them.
• Make a scarecrow by stuffing clothes with leaves.

Field Trips / Special Days

• Visit an apple orchard.
• Go on a nature walk and list all the signs of Fall that you see.
• Squirrel Math Match