Get kids excited for September! A collection of ideas to enjoy autumn events and activities
September is a month full of fun, with many events and activities at nurseries and kindergartens as we enjoy the autumn season.
There are plenty of activities and events to enjoy with children, such as moon-viewing, grape picking, and collecting acorns.
Here, we’ll introduce ideas for indoor activities and events that are filled with the unique seasonal feel of September.
Through finger plays and craft activities, let’s incorporate experiences that connect with autumn’s nature and foods to nurture children’s curiosity.
You’re sure to find hints for creating heartwarming memories.
- Summary of activities you can use in childcare in September: autumn-themed play such as crafts and fingerplay.
- [Autumn Activities] Nature Play and Craft Ideas for Fall to Incorporate into Childcare!
- September: Autumn crafts! Ideas you can use in childcare
- In October childcare, kids will be captivated! A collection of play ideas to fully enjoy autumn
- [Autumn] Seasonal play ideas to incorporate into childcare: Let’s connect with nature both outdoors and indoors
- [Childcare] Ideas inspired by October events: Activities you can use in everyday childcare
- September crafts for 2-year-olds! A collection of make-and-play ideas to enjoy autumn
- Get kids excited in November! A collection of play and craft ideas using autumn’s natural treasures
- Recommended for 5-year-olds’ September crafts! A collection of ideas to enjoy autumn
- [For 3-year-olds] Perfect for September! A Collection of Craft Ideas to Enjoy Autumn Nature
- Perfect origami ideas for September! A special feature on motifs you’ll want to include in early childhood education
- [Childcare] Autumn craft ideas
- Fun in September! Exciting Preschool Quiz Collection
September childcare gets exciting! A collection of ideas (1–10) to enjoy autumn events and activities
Play around picture books
When it comes to indoor activities, reading is the go-to, and autumn means reading, doesn’t it? I think many preschoolers love read-alouds and picture books.
Here, we won’t just read books about moon viewing; after reading, we’ll have fun making the items that appear in the stories using clay or colored paper.
Since it’s right after reading, their imagination and motivation to create might be higher than usual! You can make classic moon-viewing dumplings out of paper clay, craft rabbits, or create a perfectly round moon with yellow paper—I can just picture everyone giggling and having a great time.
Be sure to prepare moon-viewing-themed background music to set the mood.
It should be fine for children ages 4–5 and up.
Play song ‘Perfectly Round Moon’
September is known as the time when the moon looks most beautiful.
Since long ago, people have looked at the moon’s craters and imagined all sorts of things—like a rabbit pounding mochi or a crab raising its claws.
This is a play song that turns those imaginings into fun.
It’s an activity even very young children—who may not yet understand what the moon is—can enjoy.
By singing it to them, parents can help their children become aware of the moon; when they do, they might observe it while wondering, “I wonder if there’s a rabbit up there.”
Moon-viewing craft
Let’s create a craft themed around moon viewing (Otsukimi).
Prepare dark blue construction paper to represent a night sky with the moon.
Arrange pictures of the moon, rabbits, and moon-viewing rice dumplings (dango) on it.
You can draw each element, or you can make them with origami and glue them on—both are great options.
For the dango, you can also line up small balls made from crumpled tissue paper.
For the moon, try a collage style using torn pieces of origami or tissue paper, or make a stylish moon by cutting a circle from construction paper and adding color with marbling techniques.
Adjust the methods and techniques to suit the children’s ages.
September childcare gets exciting! A collection of ideas to enjoy autumn events and activities (11–20)
How to fold tsukimi dango (paper craft)
Moon-viewing dango are essential sweets for the autumn full-moon night.
Prepare one sheet of origami paper, fold it into a triangle, then fold both sides up toward the center line.
Align the tip with the bottom corner, fold, and gently puff it out to form the dango.
A small slit with scissors is also a key step.
Fold the corners to shape the dango into a round form.
Finally, make the stand for the dango, attach the dango on top, and you’re done.
Try making these with children as the full-moon night approaches!
Autumn origami acorn
A big hit with kids! Here are some fall origami acorn ideas.
When you head out for a walk in the park, feeling the cool autumn breeze, you’ll often find acorns scattered on the ground.
Don’t children go hunting for them as if they’ve discovered treasure? This time, let’s make those beloved acorns with origami! All you need is one sheet of origami paper and a pen.
You can choose from long, slender acorns or round ones—the choosing itself is exciting.
Be sure to give it a try!
stylish tree
Perfect for the art-filled days of autumn! Here’s a stylish, artistic tree-making idea.
It’s a creative activity that draws out children’s free imagination, so why not try it at your nursery or kindergarten? The teacher cuts construction paper into leaf shapes, and the children freely color them with crayons or paint.
Next, tear craft paper (or similar) into branch and trunk shapes and glue them on.
Finish by arranging the colored leaves you made earlier.
If you have time, you can add a stamping activity using various recycled materials—kids will love it.
Mushrooms with decoupage and finger painting
This is a mushroom wall decoration that incorporates decalcomania, a painting technique where you fold a painted sheet of paper in half or press another sheet onto it to transfer the paint.
Dab paint with your finger onto the mushroom cap piece, then fold it in half—this creates a unique pattern you can’t achieve by painting directly! Combine it with the mushroom stem piece and glue them onto a backing sheet; add motifs like autumn leaves and acorns to complete a fall-themed artwork.
Decalcomania is a method actively used in early childhood education, so be sure to give it a try!
