6 Outdoor Activities for Toddlers This Autumn

Autumn is here. The mornings feel fresher, the jumpers are back in rotation, and the pavements are slowly being sprinkled with crunchy leaves. While it can be tempting to hunker down indoors as the days get cooler, autumn is brilliant for little explorers.

For toddlers, the change in season isn’t just about swapping sandals for wellies – it’s a whole sensory adventure. Every walk to the park or nursery run is full of new colours, smells, and textures to discover. Every sense gets a workout.

And the best bit? You don’t need to plan elaborate days out to make the most of it. Here are some easy, low-cost (or free!) outdoor activities that make autumn magical for you and your curious little one.

1. Leaf treasure hunt

Take a walk to a nearby park, garden, or even just your street and invite your toddler to become a “leaf detective.” The goal? Find leaves in different shapes, colours, and sizes.

How to do it:

• Ask questions like, “Can you find a leaf that’s red? Or one that’s really big?”
• Encourage them to pick up leaves and talk about how they feel - “Is it smooth or rough?”
• Sort leaves into piles: big vs small, bright vs dull, smooth vs jagged edges.

Why it’s great:

Sorting and categorising leaves helps build early maths skills like recognising differences and grouping objects. Asking questions expands their vocabulary (“pointy,” “curly,” “veined”).

2. Conker collecting & counting

Conkers are one of the quintessential autumn finds! Taking your toddler on a conker hunt is a brilliant way to introduce early counting and size comparison in a hands-on way.

How to do it:

• Walk together looking for shiny conkers, and let your toddler pick the ones they like best. Count them together aloud.
• Once home, you can line them up or sort them by size or colour.
• Try simple addition: “If we have 3 conkers and add 2 more, how many do we have now?”

Why it’s great:

Handling conkers improves fine motor skills - picking up, gripping, and moving objects. Counting and sorting introduce basic numeracy and pattern recognition, laying the groundwork for later maths.

3. Autumn texture walk

Autumn is a sensory treasure trove. Take a stroll and encourage your toddler to touch, listen, and even smell the natural world around them.

How to do it:

• Invite them to touch different textures: rough bark, soft moss, prickly pinecones, and dry leaves.
• Ask open-ended questions: “What does this feel like? Is it soft or scratchy?”
• Listen closely for the sounds of crunching leaves underfoot, wind in the trees, or birds singing.
• Smell the earthy scents of damp leaves or fresh pine needles.

For independent play: Create a simple sensory basket with natural items collected on walks. Let your toddler explore these textures at their own pace, describing what they notice.

Why it’s great:

Exploring textures supports sensory development, which is key for brain growth and processing information. Talking about sensations boosts language development and helps toddlers learn new descriptive words. Sensory play also soothes and calms many little ones, giving them a sense of security through exploration.

4. Bug spotting

Even as the temperature drops, many little critters are still about, preparing for winter. Bug spotting teaches patience and observation and plants early seeds of respect for nature.

How to do it:

• Give your toddler a magnifying glass or just use your eyes to find tiny bugs like ladybirds, worms, spiders, or beetles.
• Ask: “What colour is that ladybird? How many spots does it have? Can you see its legs moving?”
• Watch how the bugs move or hide - this builds curiosity about living things.

For independent play: Provide a bug box or magnifying jar where toddlers can gently observe insects they find, then release them back safely.

Why it’s great:

Bug spotting develops patience and fine motor skills (gentle handling). It encourages scientific thinking - asking questions, making observations, and drawing conclusions about how creatures live and move. It also helps toddlers build empathy and care for the natural world.

5. Nature collage

Gathering leaves, twigs, and petals during your walks and turning them into a collage connects your toddler’s outdoor discoveries with creative play indoors.

How to do it:

• After a walk, spread out the natural items on a table. Let your toddler choose what they want to use.
• Help them glue or tape the items onto card or paper to make pictures or patterns.

Why it’s great:

This activity combines fine motor skills (picking up, gluing), creativity, and sensory exploration. It reinforces their connection to the natural world and encourages open-ended play, which is vital for problem-solving and imagination.

6. And last but not least…puddle stomping

Autumn often brings those irresistible puddles - and for toddlers, puddle stomping is an all-time favourite! It’s a wonderful way to release energy, build coordination, and just have a downright silly, joyful time.

Why it’s great:

Puddle stomping strengthens gross motor skills - jumping, balancing, and controlling movements.

Keeping it simple (and stress-free)

You don’t have to plan an all-day expedition. Even a ten-minute wander can spark wonder. Let your toddler set the pace (yes, even if it means inspecting the same twig for five minutes!). The beauty of autumn is that it’s constantly changing, so every walk will bring something new to spot.

If you’re worried about the weather, remember, there’s no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes. Waterproofs, wellies, and a warm drink afterwards can make even the drizzliest day feel like an adventure.