In October childcare, kids will be captivated! A collection of play ideas to fully enjoy autumn
October brings a stronger sense of autumn, and the playground is now filled with colorful fallen leaves and acorns.
Using these gifts from nature, along with Halloween-themed crafts and even pretend taste-harvesting play, we’re introducing October-only activities that stimulate children’s five senses.
As autumn deepens, look for ideas for fun activities that nurture children’s curiosity.
Please use this as a reference to enjoy seasonally rich play and spend time filled with children’s smiles.
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October childcare that captivates kids! A collection of play ideas to fully enjoy autumn (31–40)
Sweet potato digging
Speaking of autumn outdoor activities, “digging sweet potatoes” comes to mind! In preschools and elementary schools, it’s probably an event that happens at least once every fall, isn’t it? All you do is dig up the potatoes, but it’s so much fun.
Kids are thrilled when they find a big one or a bunch connected together! It’s fun to start from growing them, and borrowing a field to enjoy it as a community activity is also recommended.
Children aged three and up are sure to enjoy it.
It’s also great to look at the dug-up potatoes and observe how they’re connected to the vines!
acorn maracas
Speaking of autumn, it’s the season when acorns ripen! Picking up acorns is fun, but how about making maracas with the ones you collect? You can easily craft them using familiar materials like plastic bottles or paper cups, so even small children can enjoy making them.
Decorate with cute patterned masking tape, and you’ll have a one-of-a-kind maraca! The sound changes depending on the amount and size of the acorns, so experimenting can be fun too.
Highly recommended for anyone who wants to enjoy activities that connect children with nature!
Acorn play
Here are three games using the acorns that fall all over the roads in autumn! First is “Acorn Bowling,” where you use acorns as the ball and the pins.
It’s actually harder to stand up the acorn pins than it is to roll the acorn ball.
The second game is “Acorn Standing,” which uses the same technique of standing acorns like pins.
It’s surprisingly tricky to get them to stand, so you can easily get hooked! Lastly, there’s “Acorn Spinning Tops,” where you spin acorns like tops.
If you spin them well, the acorn might even end up standing upright!
Acorn picking
In places where there are oak trees, acorns fall in such numbers in autumn that they cover the ground.
Children are great at finding acorns because they’re closer to the ground.
The weather is pleasant in autumn and it’s easy to play outside, so how about going for a walk and picking up some acorns while you’re at it? Acorns are edible, and there are fun toys you can make with them, too!
Halloween ghost
Speaking of autumn, Halloween is a favorite among children.
How about making ghosts that even one-year-olds can enjoy? Prepare the parts for the ghosts—eyes, mouth, hands, and so on—in advance, and put double-sided tape on the back.
First, attach a sponge to the end of a chopstick and secure it with a rubber band.
Dab white paint on the sponge and use it to draw big ghosts on black construction paper.
Next, peel the backing off the tape on the parts and hand them to the children so they can stick them on.
It’s best to let them be as free as they like, both when drawing the ghosts and when placing the parts.
You’ll end up with wonderfully unique and adorable ghosts!
In October childcare, kids will be captivated! A collection of play ideas to enjoy autumn (41–50)
Halloween costume party
When it comes to Halloween highlights, nothing beats a costume party.
From classic getups like jack-o’-lanterns, ghosts, and princesses to hugely popular characters that aren’t really Halloween-related—like Spider-Man and Minions—there’s something for everyone these days.
It’s fun to dress up together and stroll around the park or the neighborhood, enjoying that fleeting feeling of transformation.
If store-bought costumes aren’t available, making them out of paper can be a blast.
The playing-card soldiers from Alice in Wonderland can be made with cardboard, and you could even craft a fluffy hula skirt out of yarn!
Jack-o’-lantern made with hanshi paper
Speaking of autumn, it’s the season kids look forward to—Halloween.
Here’s an easy way to make a pumpkin decoration that really boosts the Halloween mood: a jack-o’-lantern.
All you need are things you probably have at home, like washi paper (thin rice paper), paint, a balloon, and white wood glue.
First, inflate the balloon and secure it in a paper cup with a weight so it won’t move.
Then place torn pieces of washi over the balloon, and brush on a mixture of water, paint, and white glue, covering the balloon with the torn paper.
Let it dry thoroughly, then pop the balloon inside.
Cut out the eyes and nose, and you’re done.
Put a light inside and it looks beautiful.
