5 Fall Sensory Activities That Reveal Your Toddler’s Development

For babies and toddlers, every new sight, texture, and sound offers an opportunity to learn and grow. Now that autumn is here, it’s a whole new season for exploration and sensory development. 5 fall sensory activities can help.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, sensory play helps children develop language, motor skills, cognitive growth, and emotional regulation through hands-on experiences. (https://health.clevelandclinic.org/benefits-of-sensory-play-ideas) Whether your child is scooping up leaves or squishing pumpkin guts, their brain is forming essential connections that support learning and social interaction later in life. Believe it or not!

During the first three years, these connections develop at an incredible pace. The way a child reacts to different textures, sounds, or sights can reveal key information about how they process sensory information. It can also show where they might need extra support. For parents, fall’s natural variety—leaves, pumpkins, acorns, apples—provides a perfect, low-cost toolkit to observe early milestones in action.

Why Sensory Activities Matter

Sensory experiences stimulate brain development and strengthen pathways that link perception with action. A child’s ability to grab a leaf, describe how it feels, or sort acorns by size shows integrated development across multiple domains:

• Fine Motor Skills: Coordination of hands and fingers for grasping, stacking, and manipulating objects.
• Sensory Processing: Comfort and adaptability with textures, sounds, and temperatures.
• Cognitive Development: Learning patterns, cause and effect, and categorization.
• Language Skills: Building vocabulary by describing sensations and actions.
• Social-Emotional Growth: Managing reactions, taking turns, and enjoying shared experiences.

Sensory play also helps children self-regulate and build confidence through exploration. When children use their senses to understand the world, they gain more than knowledge; they gain trust in themselves and in their environment.

5 Sensory Fall Activities

1. Leaf Bin Exploration (Ages 9–36 Months)

Few things capture the magic of fall like a pile of leaves. Create a simple sensory bin using a shallow plastic container filled with dry, colorful leaves. Add small scoops, measuring cups, or hidden toys for your child to find.

Developmental Skills Observed:

• Infants (9–12 months): Begin grasping, shaking, and exploring basic textures.
• Toddlers (12–24 months): Practice filling and dumping cups, improving fine motor coordination and hand-eye control.
• Older Toddlers (24–36 months): Sort leaves by color or size, showing early categorization and problem-solving skills.

Parent Tips:

• Sit beside your child and narrate the experience. “This leaf is smooth. This one is crunchy!”
• Encourage them to describe what they feel or see.
• If your child hesitates to touch the leaves, let them watch first, then join in at their own pace.

What to Watch For:

Children who consistently refuse to touch certain textures or become upset during sensory play may have sensory sensitivities. That doesn’t always mean developmental delay—but it’s worth observing and, if concerns persist, discussing with your pediatrician or early intervention specialist.

2. Pumpkin Play (Ages 12–36 Months)

Pumpkins are a fall favorite and a rich sensory experience. Start by exploring the outside: smooth, cool, and firm. Then, if your child is ready, open it to reveal the soft, stringy interior. Let them dig in with their hands, spoons, or cups.

Developmental Skills Observed:

• Toddlers (12–18 months): Strengthen tactile exploration and gross motor coordination as they scoop and squeeze.
• Older Toddlers (18–36 months): Practice tool use by transferring seeds or pulp, building bilateral coordination and control.

Parent Tips:

• Make it a family project. Say, “Let’s see what’s inside!” and explore together.
• Use descriptive words like slimy, bumpy, or sticky. These reinforce early language development.
• For hesitant children, create a “pumpkin bag”—a sealed plastic bag filled with pumpkin pulp, allowing them to explore the texture without mess.

Developmental Insight:

A child who avoids messy play might have tactile defensiveness, while one who can’t get enough may be sensory-seeking. Both are normal variations, but consistent extremes are worth monitoring.

3. Apple Texture Game (Ages 6–36 Months)

Autumn brings apples of every kind: soft, crisp, sweet, cold. Use this variety to introduce your child to different textures and flavors safely. For younger infants, offer cooked or puréed apples. For toddlers, try slices, grated apple, or applesauce.

Developmental Skills Observed:

• Infants (6–12 months): Oral motor exploration and taste recognition.
• Toddlers (12–24 months): Improved self-feeding and texture tolerance.
• Older Toddlers (24–36 months): Identifying and describing differences in texture and flavor.

Parent Tips:

• Talk through the experience: “This apple is cold and crunchy!”
• Offer a choice between two textures to encourage decision-making.
• If your child gags easily or avoids certain consistencies, note those reactions as they can indicate oral sensory sensitivity.

Learning Connection:

This simple tasting game supports language growth (“sweet,” “soft,” “hard”) and helps children tolerate new foods—a valuable step for picky eaters or children with sensory aversions.

4. Sorting Acorns and Pine Cones (Ages 18–36 Months)

Collect acorns, pine cones, and other natural items. Encourage your toddler to explore their different shapes, sizes, and weights. Sorting and comparing build problem-solving skills and introduce early math concepts.

Developmental Skills Observed:

• Toddlers (18–24 months): Practice picking up and placing items, refining the pincer grasp for more precise control.
• Older Toddlers (24–36 months): Sort objects by size or type, demonstrating early classification and sequencing.

Parent Tips:

• Ask guiding questions: “Which one is bigger?” “Do they feel the same?”
• Supervise closely, as small items like acorns can pose a choking hazard.
• Combine with playdough for added texture exploration. Pressing acorns into dough increases resistance and hand strength.

Why It Matters:

This simple activity connects fine motor skills, cognition, and language. Each comparison your child makes strengthens their analytical thinking and memory skills.

5. Leaf Rubbing Art (Ages 24–36 Months)

Bring creativity and exploration together with leaf rubbing art. Collect a few leaves, place them vein-side up under a sheet of paper, and gently rub over them with a crayon or colored pencil.

Developmental Skills Observed:

• Older Toddlers (24–36 months): Strengthen grasp control, visual-motor coordination, and focus.
• Preschool Transition (36+ months): Begin experimenting with color and pattern recognition, combining creativity with a structured activity.

Parent Tips:

• Tape the paper down to prevent frustration.
• Use descriptive language: “Look, the lines appear like magic!”
• Let your child choose colors and talk about how each leaf looks and feels.

Added Benefit:

Leaf rubbings create a visual record of observation, helping your child notice fine details. This becomes an important skill for school.

What These Activities Reveal About Development

Each of these autumn experiences highlights different aspects of development. While every child grows at their own pace, how they respond to sensory play can help parents understand where strengths and sensitivities lie.

• Sensory Processing: Does your child explore new textures willingly or avoid them? Do they react strongly to certain smells, sounds, or surfaces?
• Fine Motor Skills: Watch how they grasp, release, pour, or stack. Can they pick up a small acorn between thumb and finger?
• Cognitive Growth: Sorting, predicting, and problem-solving show how your child’s brain is organizing information.
• Language Development: Notice how your child describes what they see and feel. Early vocabulary often begins with sensory words—soft, loud, cold, sticky.
• Social-Emotional Skills: Shared play teaches patience, turn-taking, and joy in discovery.

A child who engages eagerly in messy, varied play is building resilience and adaptability. A child who resists new sensations may need gentler exposure and encouragement. Both patterns provide valuable insight into developmental progress.

Parental Support: Turning Play Into Connection

When parents join in, these experiences become emotionally rich and educationally meaningful. Here’s how to make the most of each moment:

1. Follow Your Child’s Lead. Let them explore at their own pace. You provide the environment; they provide the curiosity.
2. Narrate and Describe. Use simple language to label sensations and actions: “You’re squishing the pumpkin seeds! They’re slippery!” This builds vocabulary and models communication.
3. Encourage Choices. Offer options—“Do you want to sort pine cones or make leaf rubbings?” Choice empowers children and strengthens decision-making skills.
4. Celebrate Curiosity. When your child shows interest or bravery in trying something new, acknowledge it. “You touched the gooey pumpkin! That was brave!” Positive feedback builds confidence.
5. Create Calm Transitions. Sensory play can be exciting. Offer quiet time afterward, such as reading a fall-themed book or cuddling under a blanket, to help regulate energy levels.

Remember, these shared activities also strengthen your bond. They show your child that learning is safe, fun, and something you do together. Over time, this connection builds trust and emotional security.

Adapting for Different Sensory Needs

Not every child experiences sensory play in the same way. Some eagerly dive into every new texture, sound, or scent they encounter, while others approach with caution, needing time and reassurance before they feel comfortable.

For children who shy away from messy play, try using clear bins or sealed sensory bags so they can see and manipulate materials without direct contact. If your child seeks strong physical feedback, offer firm pressure rather than light touch during cleanup, as this often provides the grounding sensation they crave. Sound-sensitive toddlers may benefit from quieter spaces or soft background music instead of noisy environments.

Every child has their own preferences, but certain ongoing patterns may indicate that extra support could be helpful. When some of the avoidance behaviors we’ve talked about in this article persist, it’s wise to talk with your pediatrician or request an Early Intervention evaluation. Early support can make a tremendous difference, helping your child learn to adapt, explore confidently, and thrive in their sensory world.

Learn more about early childhood sensory experiences by reading our article: Is Your Child Overwhelmed by These 5 Everyday Experiences?

TEIS Early Intervention is here to help

If you have questions about your child’s development, TEIS Early Intervention can help. Our specialists listen to your concerns, assess your child’s individual needs, develop a customized treatment plan, and coach you through simple, routine-based solutions to help your child thrive.

Call us at 412-271-8347 or ask your pediatrician about getting an Early Intervention evaluation.

Early intervention evaluations and therapy services are available under the Federal Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities. Before services can begin, an independent evaluation of your child must be completed. To ensure impartiality, one agency provides evaluation services while another offers therapeutic services.

To schedule an evaluation, call 1-800-692-7288 or email help@connectpa.net