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10 Best Fall Activities for Sensory-Seeking Kids (OT-Approved Ideas!)

Nov 03, 2024

Fall! There’s something magical about the cool air, crunchy leaves, and smell of pumpkin spice everywhere. And for kids who crave sensory experiences, fall offers so many chances to engage their senses in a fun and natural way. Whether your child is constantly on the go, loves to get their hands dirty, or is looking for ways to burn off energy, fall activities are perfect for them!

If you’re a parent to a sensory-seeking child, you know how important it is to provide opportunities for them to explore, move, and engage with the world around them. With an occupational therapy (OT) twist, here’s a list of fall-inspired activities that’ll keep them entertained, help them self-regulate, and let them soak in all the sensory goodness of the season.

1. Leaf Pile Jumping (Proprioceptive Input)

Who doesn’t love a good leaf pile? Raking leaves into a big pile for your child to jump into is more than just fun—it’s great for providing proprioceptive input (that’s the body’s way of figuring out where it is in space). The resistance from the leaves, the crunch, and the impact as they jump all help with body awareness.

How to Make it OT-Friendly: Let them rake the leaves themselves! This gives kids a chance to work on muscle strength and coordination. If they’re ready for a challenge, add some “obstacle course” elements like crawling over leaf mounds or balancing on fallen branches.

2. Pumpkin Bowling (Heavy Work)

Find a small, round pumpkin that can be easily rolled and use some bottles or cans as bowling pins. The weight of the pumpkin gives kids that “heavy work” sensation, which is super calming for sensory seekers.

How to Make it OT-Friendly: Let them lift and carry the pumpkin to the “starting line.” The sensation of carrying something heavy is calming for many kids, and bowling works on hand-eye coordination and motor planning. You can even make it more challenging by adding targets or marking off different “zones” they have to knock down for points.

3. Pumpkin Patch Visit (Multi-Sensory Experience) and Apple Picking (Tactile and Sensory)

Pumpkin Patch: Going to a pumpkin patch isn’t just about picking out a pumpkin—it’s a full sensory experience! From the smell of the farm to the feel of different gourds, it’s like a playground for their senses. Walking around the uneven ground also helps kids with balance and coordination.

How to Make it OT-Friendly: Look for pumpkin patches that have additional activities, like corn mazes or hayrides. Walking through a corn maze can give kids proprioceptive feedback and help with spatial awareness, while hayrides offer lots of tactile and visual input (plus, they’re fun!).

Apple Orchard: Apple picking is such a classic fall activity, and it’s an amazing way to get kids exploring different textures, scents, and tastes. Picking apples gives them a chance to touch different textures (smooth apples, rough branches) and get a whiff of the fresh apple smell. Plus, all the reaching and pulling gives their muscles a workout.

How to Make it OT-Friendly: Make a game out of it—see if they can pick a certain color apple, reach for higher or lower apples, or carry a basket around the orchard. This provides a great mix of gross motor activity and sensory exploration!

4. Building a Stick Fort (Heavy Work and Motor Planning)

Head to the backyard or park and help your child gather sticks, branches, and leaves to build their own little fort. The heavy lifting and pushing provide proprioceptive input, while the problem-solving involved in balancing sticks and creating a structure helps build planning skills.

How to Make it OT-Friendly: Give your child specific tasks, like choosing only the largest sticks or finding branches with specific textures. This can also serve as a chance to work on teamwork if they’re building with siblings or friends.

5. Fall Sensory Bins (Tactile and Proprioceptive Play)

Sensory bins are easy to put together and can be customized to fit the season. For fall, fill a bin with dried corn kernels, mini pumpkins, acorns, fake leaves, pinecones, and other small, safe fall items. Kids can dig in, bury their hands, scoop, and explore all the different textures. Or, fill a large bin or kiddie pool with dried corn kernels and let your child dive in! They can bury their hands, scoop kernels, or even sit in the bin for full sensory immersion. The texture of the kernels provides calming tactile input, while digging and pouring offers proprioceptive feedback.

How to Make it OT-Friendly: Give them tools like small rakes, shovels, or scoops to play with. This helps build fine motor skills and hand strength while they’re exploring. Add a few mini “treasures” like tiny toys or plastic bugs that they can find, which adds a bit of challenge and helps with focus.

6. Hay Bales Obstacle Course (Gross Motor Play)

If you’re at a farm or outdoor fall festival, there might be some hay bales around that you can turn into an obstacle course. Climbing, crawling, and jumping over bales is a full-body workout and provides tons of proprioceptive input.

How to Make it OT-Friendly: Create specific challenges, like climbing over one bale and crawling under the next, or balancing while walking across a line of bales. This encourages body awareness, core strength, and coordination.

7. Making Fall Slime or Dough (Tactile and Olfactory Input)

Kids love slime, and adding scents like pumpkin spice, cinnamon, or apple cider gives it an extra sensory boost. Make a basic slime or playdough and add food coloring to make it look seasonal. The smell and squishy texture make it a hit for tactile sensory seekers!

How to Make it OT-Friendly: Encourage them to squeeze, pull, and roll the slime or dough. This helps with hand strength, fine motor skills, and sensory regulation. You can also add beads or small items inside for them to find, adding a bit of a treasure hunt element.

8. Nature Scavenger Hunt (Visual and Auditory Exploration)

A nature walk is a great way to get outside, and a scavenger hunt adds a twist. Create a list of fall-specific things to look for—orange leaves, acorns, pinecones, squirrels, etc. This activity encourages sensory observation and helps them connect with the environment.

How to Make it OT-Friendly: Add sounds to the list! For example, listen for birds chirping, leaves rustling, or sticks snapping underfoot. Focusing on both sights and sounds can help them practice auditory processing skills and build mindfulness.

9. Baking Fall Treats Together (Taste and Smell Sensory Input)

Baking is such a cozy fall activity, and it’s also an amazing sensory experience. Have them help measure, pour, and mix ingredients to make something like pumpkin muffins or apple pie. This activity involves touch, taste, and smell, all in one.

How to Make it OT-Friendly: Let them get hands-on with kneading dough, stirring thick batter, or even squishing soft ingredients like bananas or pumpkin puree. These actions provide tactile and proprioceptive input, and baking together can help them practice following steps and staying focused.

10. Walking on a Leaf Trail (Balance and Coordination)

Create a “leaf trail” by lining up leaves along a path or yard. Encourage your child to walk along the trail without stepping off, or add fun challenges like hopping from leaf to leaf, skipping, or tip-toeing. This activity promotes balance and motor planning.

How to Make it OT-Friendly: Add different levels of difficulty by using different distances between leaves. You can also create “stations” where they jump, spin, or crouch on certain leaves to add more proprioceptive input and keep it engaging.
Fall is a sensory wonderland for kids, especially those who are sensory seekers. These activities not only entertain but also help meet your child’s sensory needs and build skills in a fun, natural way. So bundle up, get outside, and let them jump, roll, crunch, and play their way through autumn!

Happy fall fun, parents! Enjoy these moments, and don’t forget to snap some pictures of all the messy, sensory-rich memories you’re making together.