Autumn is one of the most inspiring seasons for Forest School. As the leaves change colour, the air turns crisp, and wildlife prepares for winter, children have countless opportunities to explore nature’s transformation. Autumn Forest School activities tap into the magic of the season, making learning outdoors rich, sensory, and deeply engaging.
Whether you’re delivering full Forest School sessions or weaving seasonal outdoor learning into your weekly planning, these autumn Forest School ideas will help you bring the EYFS curriculum to life outdoors.
For ready-made autumn resources and outdoor training, explore:
👉 https://themuddypuddleteacher.co.uk/outdoor-learning-resources/
👉 https://themuddypuddleteacher.co.uk/outdoor-learning-training/
🍁 Why Autumn Is Perfect for Forest School
Autumn naturally aligns with Forest School principles and early years development:
Nature provides abundant loose parts (leaves, conkers, acorns, twigs)
Weather is cooler, ideal for cosy, active outdoor sessions
Autumn wildlife offers rich opportunities for observation
Seasonal colours ignite creativity and curiosity
Sensory experiences increase through wind, texture, sound, and smell
The environment changes rapidly, supporting scientific thinking
It is a season full of storytelling, investigation, and imaginative play.
Explore lesson ideas created by expert forest school leaders at Forest School Activities Hub
Top Autumn Forest School Activities
🍂 1. Leaf Collecting, Sorting & Autumn Colour Hunt
Autumn brings a natural palette of reds, yellows, oranges, and browns.
Activity ideas:
Sort leaves by size, shape, or colour
Match leaves to colour cards
Create “leaf rain” by shaking branches (safe, low ones only)
Compare different types of leaves and make predictions
Find autumn sorting and nature ID resources:
👉 https://themuddypuddleteacher.co.uk/?s=leaf
🌰 2. Conker, Acorn & Seed Investigations
Autumn is full of natural treasures that support maths and science through hands-on exploration.
Ideas:
Count and group conkers or acorns
Create simple number bonds using seeds
Build shapes or patterns with natural objects
Predict which seeds animals might store for winter
Try outdoor maths activities:
👉 https://themuddypuddleteacher.co.uk/?s=maths
🐿️ 3. Squirrel & Hedgehog Role-Play Games
Autumn wildlife sparks imagination and develops understanding of animal behaviour.
Activities:
Hide “food” around your outdoor space and let children act like squirrels storing nuts
Build hibernation nests for toy hedgehogs
Play movement games inspired by woodland animals
Explore animal-themed Forest School resources:
👉 https://themuddypuddleteacher.co.uk/?s=animal
🍁 4. Nature Rubbings and Texture Investigations
With bark, fallen leaves, and natural debris everywhere, autumn is ideal for texture exploration.
Try:
Leaf rubbings
Bark rubbings
Rubbing trails where children discover new textures outdoors
Great for fine motor skills and language development.
🔥 5. Campfire Stories & Cosy Circle Time (If Appropriate)
Autumn lends itself perfectly to warm, gentle fire sessions—if your setting and training allow it.
Ideas:
Toast apples or warm berry tea
Share seasonal stories around the fire
Use the crackling and warmth to encourage mindful listening
Always follow strict fire safety and Forest School policy.
🍄 6. Autumn Nature Art & Loose Parts Play
Celebrate the season through creative, child-led art.
Ideas:
Make nature mandalas with leaves, conkers, pinecones, and twigs
Create leaf crowns
Press autumn flowers and leaves
Make stick frames to display autumn treasures
Related outdoor art activities:
👉 https://themuddypuddleteacher.co.uk/?s=art
🍂 7. Wind Play & Weather Investigation
Autumn’s breezy weather is perfect for playful science.
Try:
Make simple leaf kites
Observe how leaves travel in the wind
Create wind streamers using natural materials
Compare calm vs windy days
Weather-themed activities:
👉 https://themuddypuddleteacher.co.uk/?s=weather
🍎 8. Autumn Sensory Stations
The season is naturally sensory-rich.
Ideas:
Smell cinnamon, pine, damp earth, and autumn herbs
Touch smooth conkers, rough bark, crunchy leaves
Listen to leaves rustling, wind blowing, and birds calling
Explore sensory outdoor learning:
👉 https://themuddypuddleteacher.co.uk/?s=sensory
🦔 9. Build a Hedgehog Hotel
Teach children about hibernation and caring for wildlife.
Steps:
Collect leaves, straw, sticks, and bark
Work together to build a safe shelter for hedgehogs
Discuss how animals prepare for winter
You can extend the activity with simple non-fiction books or nature videos.
🌾 10. Autumn Harvest Exploration
Use seasonal produce to develop children’s understanding of growth and change.
Activities:
Explore pumpkins, apples, squashes, and corn
Create seed-scooping sensory trays
Count pumpkin seeds
Compare sizes, weights, colours
Perfect for linking Forest School to food education.
🍂 Autumn Forest School Safety Tips
Ground can be slippery with fallen leaves—review your risk assessment
Teach children to identify safe vs unsafe mushrooms (look, don’t touch)
Use layers for warmth as temperatures fluctuate
Be mindful of wasps around fallen fruit
Prioritise handwashing after seasonal play
Maintain clear boundaries in windy weather
📚 Muddy Puddle Teacher® Autumn Resources
For autumn-themed outdoor planning, explore:
Autumn outdoor activity packs
👉 https://themuddypuddleteacher.co.uk/?s=autumnEYFS outdoor lesson plans
👉 https://themuddypuddleteacher.co.uk/product-category/eyfs/Accredited outdoor learning & Forest School-style training
👉 https://themuddypuddleteacher.co.uk/outdoor-learning-training/
These support curriculum links, reduce planning time, and build confidence outdoors.
🍁 Final Thoughts: Autumn Makes Forest School Come Alive
Autumn is full of colour, texture, movement, and sensory richness. It’s a season that invites children to slow down, observe change, and connect deeply with the natural world. With these Autumn Forest School activities, you can inspire creativity, curiosity, resilience, and seasonal awareness in your Early Years learners.
