November provides a wonderful opportunity for parents to engage their preschoolers in outdoor activities that encourage a sense of wonder and exploration. Despite the cooler weather, there’s much to discover in the natural world during this transitional month. We’ve got a list of some exciting outdoor activities that you can enjoy with your preschooler, fostering their love for nature while working on their fine motor skills. These activities are great to do throughout the year as well to discuss the differences and similarities from season to season!
Leaf Scavenger Hunt
November brings a vibrant display of autumn leaves. Create a simple scavenger hunt by giving your child a list of leaf shapes or colors to find in your yard or a local park. This activity not only encourages observation but also enhances fine motor skills! If you want to look for more than just leaves, we recently posted a fall foraging scavenger hunt on our Instagram page!
Nature Art with Fallen Leaves
Collect a variety of fallen leaves from your yard or local park and use them to create beautiful nature-inspired artwork. You can make leaf rubbings, leaf collages, or even dip them in paint to create leaf stamps. If you’re looking to keep your little ones occupied even longer, have them catch the leaves you’re going to use as they’re falling from the trees!
Bird Watching
If you have a little one who is interested in animals, get involved in bird watching! You can set up a bird feeder in your yard and observe the different bird species that visit. You can visit your local library to find a simple bird guidebook or download an app to identify them with your preschooler. You may also even get a few different visitors like squirrels and chipmunks!
Nature Journaling
Give your preschooler a small notebook and some crayons or colored pencils. Encourage them to draw and write about the things they observe in nature. This can be a fun way to document their outdoor adventures and improve fine motor skills. This is a fun activity to do every month or every season so your little one can go back and see all of the changes that happen in nature throughout the year!
Nature’s Sound Safari
Close your eyes and listen to the sounds of nature around you. Encourage your child to identify the different sounds they can hear, such as chirping birds, rustling leaves, or flowing water. This activity hones their listening skills and awareness of their surroundings.
Create a Nature Collection
Collect small, interesting natural items like rocks, sticks, or pinecones during your outdoor explorations. Create a “nature collection” together. This can lead to discussions about different textures, shapes, and sizes while also promoting conversations about nature about changes you might see throughout the seasons.
