Fall Sensory-Friendly Fun

Autumn Activities for Children with Autism

As the crisp autumn air settles in, it’s the perfect opportunity to engage your children in enjoyable, sensory-friendly activities—especially outdoors. Here are some of our favorite fall activities to inspire your family adventures this season:

Enjoy a Walk Outside

Take advantage of the crisp fall air by exploring the outdoors. Find a quiet nature path or sidewalk nearby and soak up the sights, sounds, and textures of autumn. Collect leaves, acorns, and pinecones along the way, allowing your child to engage with a multitude of sensory experiences.

Paint or Carve Pumpkins

No fall season is complete without pumpkins! Whether you choose to paint or carve them, this interactive activity offers opportunities to develop motor skills. The smooth surface of the pumpkin and the squishy texture of its seeds provide tactile stimulation as well.

Tip: Try using shaped cookie cutters to carve fun designs into the pumpkins to make the process more seamless.

Make a Pile of Leaves

Turning a typical chore into a fun-filled activity is easy with fallen leaves! Rake leaves into a large pile and encourage your child to jump in. The crinkling sound and the feel of the leaves can be a great way for your child to engage with their senses.

Fall-Themed Sensory Bins

Create a fall-themed sensory bin filled with seasonal items. Use materials such as dried corn, rice, beans, mini pumpkins, and leaves. Allow your child to explore these items using their hands. Sensory bins promote exploration and the use of fine motor skills.

Create Fall-Themed Crafts

Encourage creativity with fall-themed crafts. Use natural materials like leaves, twigs, acorns, and corn. These craft projects not only allow your child to express themselves but also help develop their fine motor skills.

Embrace the fall season and create meaningful experiences with your children with these engaging autumn activities! With the arrival of fall also comes Halloween. Be sure to check out our blog post for tips on creating a sensory-friendly Halloween experience.

At Surpass Behavioral Health, we are passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of our clients and families. Our focus is quality care that you can trust. We believe in our clients’ ability to achieve their goals and we want to celebrate each win together. Our mission is for our clients to be successful across a variety of settings and provide support to our families.

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