There is so much to discover in the fall! There are great books to read, wonderful art to make, and beautiful natural spaces to explore. Each year, our teachers have a few fall favorites that they return to again and again.
These five fall gifts for preschoolers will help your child transition between the seasons while enjoying all that autumn has to offer!
1. Pete the Cat: Falling for Autumn
This delightful book by James and Kimberly Dean features Pete the Cat, a beloved recurring character. This storytime favorite helps remind older toddlers and preschoolers of what’s to come as the seasons change. In the story, Pete learns that the upcoming fall means apple picking, corn mazes, and hayrides! This book will get your little one excited about the many fun activities the fall season has to offer.
2. Fall Tree of Thanks
This fun family activity comes with a large felt tree board and 60 felt leaves in 16 different shapes and colors. Since these leaves mimic the shape and color of elm, oak, poplar, birch, chestnut, and maple leaves, they can be used as a teaching tool to introduce different types of trees. It can also be used as part of a gratitude ritual in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving.
One way to use the board is to ask every family member what they are thankful for during dinner and have them represent that moment with a leaf that they hang on the tree. By the end of the month, you’ll have a beautiful visual representation of gratitude to share with your extended family on Thanksgiving!
3. Binoculars for Children
One of the most impressive things about fall is how beautiful the world becomes as the seasons start to shift. Why not give children their own pair of binoculars to watch the leaves change colors on the trees? Binoculars are also perfect for watching birds begin to fly south for the winter. Just have your little one point their binoculars up into the sky and they’ll see flocks of starlings, sparrows, or finches soaring above them. As they watch, take a moment to explain how and why animals migrate each year.
You’ll love the mini size of these binoculars, as they can be easily packed and transported on a family outing. Bring them along, and your child can watch a baseball game or soccer game from afar, or get a close-up of a play or a concert.
4. Strider Balance Bike
Just because the weather’s getting colder doesn’t mean children need to stop playing and having fun outside. The Strider Balance Bike is an amazing toy for children 18 months to 5 years old because it takes away the pedals of a traditional bike so that riders can use their feet to keep the bike balanced and propel it.
Not only does help build the skill of balance in children, but it also keeps them physically active in the colder months. The best part, though, is that the bike is proven to help children transition to a traditional bike earlier and with greater ease.
5. Camping Play Set for Children
Whether you’re an outdoor fanatic or prefer to stay inside, this set is full of supplies to give your little one the experience of camping in the great outdoors. They can “feel” the burning bonfire, listen to the sounds of wild insects, and pretend to taste the sweetness of s’mores. The pop-up tent is large enough to accommodate two children and can be stored away easily.
This is a great way to practice for an upcoming camping trip with the family or simply pretend to explore the great outdoors.
A School for All Seasons
The Gardner School prioritizes outdoor play so that little ones experience the natural rhythms of the world outside. We also use a hands-on learning curriculum so that our students have direct experience with the concepts they’re discovering. To learn more about how we engage our littlest learners, reach out for an in-person or virtual tour at The Gardner School nearest you. You’ll quickly see why parents choose us for their child’s care!
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