This simple Autumn sensory play idea is just perfect for toddlers and preschoolers. It doesn’t require expensive resources to set the activity up – in fact, you can find all of the ‘ingredients’ you need by going on a walk with your children.
During the Autumn months, we always find an abundance of nature treasures when we go on weekend walks in the countryside. Usually, a pocket full of pinecones, leaves and sticks will find their way home with us. We use these resources in many Autumn themed activities, including this super simple ‘soup’.
Suggested resources for the simple Autumn sensory activit
Here are just ideas for what you can use in this simple Autumn sensory play activity. I always recommend that you use items that are seasonal rather than store bought. Availability of the items below will depend on where you live.
Resources for this Simple Autumn Sensory Play Activity
- a shallow tray – we used our Flisat table but it isn’t essential
- water
- yellow dye — optional
- toy pots and utensils
- spoons and scoops
- fine motor tools – optional
20 Nature Treasures for this Simple Autumn Sensory Play Activity
- Leaves: Collect colorful leaves for mixing into mud creations or as pretend food.
- Pinecones: These can be used as scoops, dishes, or even as decorations.
- Twigs and Branches: Great for stirring, building, or creating mini log cabins.
- Acorns: Use them as pretend acorn cups, or create tiny acorn pies and cakes.
- Chestnuts / Conkers: Perfect for rolling in the mud or using as natural “meatballs” in play cooking.
- Seed Pods: Pods like milkweed or sweetgum can be interesting additions to mud recipes.
- Pebbles and Stones: These can be used to decorate mud pies or as play cooking ingredients.
- Moss: Create a “mossy garden” or use it to decorate mud structures.
- Pine Needles: Use them as broom bristles or add them to your mud creations.
- Fallen Flowers: Gather fallen petals to add color and texture to mud dishes.
- Bark: Use it as pretend food platters or for building structures.
- Small Logs: Ideal for creating miniature log cabins or bridges.
- Dried Grass: Make miniature brooms or use it to add texture to mud creations.
- Sunflower petals: These can be used for decorating or as pretend salad leaves.
- Feathers: Collect fallen feathers for decorating mud pies or as ingredients in imaginary dishes.
- Small Pinecones: Mini pinecones can be used as garnish or toppings for mud creations.
- Wild Berries: Find and use non-toxic berries for pretend baking and cooking.
- Aromatic Herbs: Use herbs like mint or lavender to add a sensory dimension to play.
- Small Rocks: Perfect for stacking, building, and creating mud sculptures.
- Fallen Tree Bark: Use it for texturing mud creations or as pretend wood chips for “cooking.”
Remember to ensure that any items you gather for your Autumn Mud Kitchen are safe for children to handle and play with, and always supervise them during outdoor activities. Some items listed here might be considered unsuitable for very young children who still put items in their mouth.
Simple Autumn Sensory Play Set up:
As the name suggests, it doesn’t really take much to set up this simple Autumn sensory play activity. I recommend that you take this outside and place a tuff spot tray – or large sheet on the ground. Add a circular tray (as shown above) or plastic container on top, then provide old kitchen utensils, water and nature treasures for the ‘soup.’
Once you’ve set the activity up, invite your child to play. Let them decide how much of each ‘ingredient’ they want to put into the tray – it’s all part of the fun of making the soup.
As an extension for older children, you could also provide a chalkboard and chalks so that they can write or draw a menu.
If your child is struggling to know what to do, perhaps because they aren’t used to sensory play activities, then get involved and start playing!
5 Benefits of Sensory Play:
All sensory play has many benefits, including this simple Autumn sensory idea, but it can feel off putting when the play is messy! With that being said, this sunflower sensory play activity shouldn’t be too messy and you can always do it outside. Here are just some reasons why you should give sensory play a try:
- Gives children the freedom to explore new materials which in turn fosters curiosity and imagination. There is no right or wrong outcome when it comes to sensory play.
- Helps to develop fine motor skills and hand strength. This is crucial for learning to write later on down the line
- Encourages communication and language development. Sensory play can be a really social activity, particularly if you invite friends to join in!
- Helps to develop spatial awareness as children begin to understand the environment around them via exploration of materials.
- Boosts brain development which in turn helps ability to problem solve. Sensory play is a great introduction to STEAM learning.
At Home Autumn Art & Sensory Camp
If you enjoyed this really simple Autumn sensory play activity and wanted to find more fun Autumn themed activities, check out the At Home Autumn Art & Sensory Camp in my membership group. If you would like to access the content, you can check it out here.
Autumn Blog posts to read next:
If you loved this simple Autumn sensory play activity, you might also enjoy some of our other Autumn posts. Most are suitable for both toddlers and preschoolers:
Autumn Art Ideas for Preschoolers
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt Mask
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt story basket
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt pre-writing skills activity
21 Autumn Ideas for the Entire Family
Autumn Activities for Kids: 25 Playful Prompts
Autumn Preschool Leaf Cutting Tray
Sunflower Sensory Play Activity
You can also search the keyword ‘Autumn’ in the blog search bar for the most up-to-date Autumn blog post listing.
Interested in learning more?
If you enjoyed this simple Autumn sensory play activity and want to learn more about sensory play and the importance of play in the early years, you might just like my exclusive membership, ‘How I drink my Coffee Hot’ too. The membership costs just $5 per month and you get access to 10 mini courses on a range of topics including sensory play, play spaces and starting school. Here are some membership posts that you might enjoy:
