10 top toddler activities this autumn

For many, autumn is a favourite time of the year. The vivid colours of autumn leaves, crisp and misty autumnal mornings, and curling up on the sofa under a cosy blanket and sipping a steaming cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows.

On the flip side, however, as nights are fast drawing in and the British weather is unpredictable, we start to spend more time indoors.  In this article, we provide some ideas for things for you to do as a family – both indoor and outdoor.

10 top activities this autumn

Autumn days can be sunny, cold, windy or wet – or all four! That’s the best (or worst) thing about the British weather. Below are some great activities that you can do in the comfort of your own home, or out and about in the garden or countryside:

(1) Explore mother nature

Crisp autumn days are perfect for wrapping up warm, putting your wellies on and getting outside.   Go to your local park, wood or country footpath and explore. There’s so much you can do outside:

• Kick up some leaves.
• Jump in puddles.
• Collect conkers, pine cones and acorns.
• Watch migratory birds fly to warmer climes, or others flying here to overwinter.
• Count the number of different mushrooms and toadstools you see on your walk.

(2) Make a collage

Make a collage with your nature finds from your walk – use different sized and coloured leaves, twigs, pine cones, acorns and conkers.

(3) Make a pine cone bird feeder

It’s great to see wildlife in the garden, and this time of year birds need a helping hand. When you are next out on a walk, pick up some pine cones as they make a great bird feeder. Mix together suet or lard with raisins, peanuts, grated cheese and some bird seed. Tie some string around a few cones and then pack the mixture around each of the cones to make them into a ball. Let the cones set in the fridge for at least an hour, then tie them up on tree branches or a bird feeder post and watch the birds feast.

(4) Read together

There are a plethora of books available for toddlers and children of all ages. Read stories together while you are cuddled up on the sofa under a blanket.

(5) Try an indoor scavenger hunt

Hide a few autumnal finds from your country walk, along with some treats around the house and give your children some clues to find each one. A perfect activity for a rainy autumn day.

(6) Make a handprint tree

Put some washable paint on a plastic tray and put the palm of your hand in it, then press your hand down on a piece of paper with fingers splayed out. Once dry, stick fallen leaves on the fingers to make your very own tree picture.

(7) Play a board game

From Hungry Hippos to magnetic fishing games, Pop up Pirate to Lucky Ducks, there’s a wide range of games you can play with your toddler that not only keeps them occupied but helps stimulate their minds.

(8) Plant some bulbs

Give your garden some winter, spring and early summer colour by planting bulbs now. This is something all the family can get involved with. Dig the holes for planting and let your toddler and young children put the bulbs in. Plant snowdrops, crocuses, daffodils, tulips and alliums to ensure your garden has colour right through to June – and it will help early pollinating insects and butterflies too.

(9) Activity sheets

On rainy, cold or windy days, it’s good to stay indoors in the warm and dry. To keep the boredom away, try some of our great activity sheets for toddlers and parents to do together.

(10) Autumn sensory play for babies

Although many of the activities above are for toddlers and other members of the family, there’s many things you can do with your baby, such as autumn sensory play.  Sensory activities are focused around three senses – sight, touch and hearing. Along with playing with sensory play toys, listening to music and talking to your baby, why not listen to the rain on the window pane? Let them feel dried leaves and pine cones, or fill a plastic bottle to 2/3rds full with acorns for a makeshift rattle, and as their eyesight develops, show them the bright colours of autumnal leaves. In fact, sensory play for babies can be anything that stimulates their hearing, eyesight and touch.  Don’t forget, if your baby has been touching leaves, acorns or pine cones, remember to wash their hands. 

Why choose Cotton Boulevard for your baby and toddler’s clothing?

Whilst you are doing some or all of these activities, your babies and toddlers need to be warm and comfortable. Cotton Boulevard do a range of clothing for babies and toddlers which will keep them warm but allow them the freedom of movement during play.

All of our toddler clothing is made from organic cotton and are tough and hardwearing with exceptional quality, which makes them perfect for playtime both indoors and out. What’s more, no matter how many times your toddler wears them, they still provide the same great quality wash after wash.

From toddler t-shirts and joggers to dungarees and pinafore dresses, we stock a wide range of soft organic cotton toddler clothing that’s not only practical, but beautiful as well.

In addition to our toddler clothing, we also have a range of organic cotton blankets for you to snuggle under with your toddler to keep warm this autumn.

If you have any questions about our range of organic cotton clothing and accessories for babies and toddlers, please email us at hello@cottonbouldevard.co.uk – we will be more than happy to answer any questions that you have.