15 Fall Toddler Activities That Cost $0
Fall has a way of slowing you down in the best possible way. The air feels fresher, the leaves turn into confetti on the sidewalks, and the sunsets are painted in shades of gold and orange. When you’ve got a toddler, it’s the perfect season to lean into free, screen-free fun. You don’t need to buy fancy toys or spend a fortune at play centers to keep them entertained — you just need a little creativity, a few household items, and the magic that’s already outside your door.
Whether you’re home full-time, juggling work-from-home life, or babysitting for a few hours, these 15 fall toddler activities cost nothing but will give you priceless memories. They’re easy to set up, fun to repeat, and can be adapted to your toddler’s mood and energy level.
1. Backyard Nature Scavenger Hunt
Why it’s perfect for fall: Everything is changing — colors, textures, smells — and toddlers are naturally curious.
How to do it:
Grab a scrap piece of paper or index card and write down (or draw) 6–8 fall items: a red leaf, a pinecone, a feather, a smooth rock, an acorn.
Give your toddler a little bucket or bag to collect their “treasures.”
Walk together, encouraging them to spot each item.
Bonus twist: Turn it into a sensory scavenger hunt — instead of just finding things by sight, prompt them with textures like “something smooth,” “something crunchy,” or “something soft.”
Parent tip: This activity doubles as a calm-down walk if your toddler is feeling extra wiggly.
2. Leaf Collage Art
Why it’s perfect for fall: The leaves are nature’s free art supplies.
How to do it:
Collect leaves of all shapes, colors, and sizes.
Grab some paper, glue sticks, and optional crayons or paint.
Let your toddler arrange and glue the leaves into a picture — maybe a tree, an animal, or just a colorful pattern.
Bonus twist: Add a storytelling element — make up a “leaf fairy” character who gives each leaf its color.
Parent tip: Once dry, take a photo of their collage so you can remember it after the leaves get brittle.
3. Teddy Bear Picnic
Why it’s perfect for fall: Cool, crisp air makes outdoor snacking more comfortable for toddlers (and less messy inside for you).
How to do it:
Spread a blanket in the yard, park, or even your living room floor if it’s rainy.
Invite your toddler’s favorite stuffed animals.
Pack simple snacks like apple slices, crackers, or a peanut butter sandwich.
Bonus twist: Encourage your toddler to “serve” their stuffed friends and tell a little story about the picnic.
Parent tip: This is a sneaky way to turn snack time into pretend play, which often makes picky eaters more willing to try new foods.
4. Pinecone Painting
Why it’s perfect for fall: Pinecones are everywhere this time of year, and toddlers love the texture.
How to do it:
Collect a few pinecones (shake them out to make sure no bugs are inside).
Provide washable paint or watercolors.
Let your toddler paint and then dry them on a paper plate.
Bonus twist: Tie yarn around the top and hang them as fall decorations.
Parent tip: Keep a few unpainted pinecones for future sensory bins or winter crafts.
5. DIY Fall Playdough
Why it’s perfect for fall: It smells amazing and keeps little hands busy on cooler days.
How to do it:
Mix 2 cups flour, 1 cup salt, 2 tablespoons cream of tartar, 2 tablespoons oil, and 2 cups water in a pot.
Add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or pumpkin pie spice.
Stir over low heat until it forms a dough, then cool before giving it to your toddler.
Bonus twist: Use cookie cutters in leaf or pumpkin shapes.
Parent tip: Store in an airtight container to last all season.
6. Paper Plate Scarecrows
Why it’s perfect for fall: It’s easy, colorful, and full of silly faces toddlers love making.
How to do it:
Give your toddler a paper plate for the “face.”
Provide yarn for hair, markers for facial features, and scraps of paper for hats.
Let them assemble their own scarecrow.
Bonus twist: Hang their scarecrows on the fridge or in the window for seasonal décor.
Parent tip: This is a low-mess craft that can be done while you make dinner.
7. Sock Puppet Theater
Why it’s perfect for fall: Cooler weather = more indoor playtime.
How to do it:
Use old socks (clean ones!) and decorate with buttons, fabric scraps, or markers.
Create a “stage” using a cardboard box or by draping a blanket over two chairs.
Encourage your toddler to put on a short show.
Bonus twist: Introduce a “fall theme” — maybe their puppets visit a pumpkin patch.
Parent tip: Puppets are great for encouraging shy toddlers to express themselves.
8. Story Time Nook
Why it’s perfect for fall: Rainy days are made for snuggling up with books.
How to do it:
Pile up pillows and blankets in a cozy corner.
Pick fall-themed books (pumpkins, animals preparing for winter, leaves).
Read aloud, letting your toddler turn the pages or point to things they see.
Bonus twist: After reading, act out the story together.
Parent tip: Even 10 minutes of daily reading makes a big difference in language development.
9. Group Story Game
Why it’s perfect for fall: It sparks imagination without needing props.
How to do it:
Start with “Once upon a time in a pumpkin patch…”
Let your toddler add a sentence, then you add one, and keep going.
Keep it silly and playful.
Bonus twist: Record the story so you can listen to it later together.
Parent tip: This builds sequencing skills and creativity.
10. Sing & Dance to Fall Songs
Why it’s perfect for fall: Movement warms them up and music boosts memory.
How to do it:
Search YouTube for “autumn songs for toddlers.”
Play and sing along while clapping, jumping, or spinning.
Encourage them to make up their own verses.
Bonus twist: Add scarves or ribbons to wave around.
Parent tip: Great for a quick energy burn before nap time.
11. Stick and Rock Painting
Why it’s perfect for fall: Nature provides endless canvases.
How to do it:
Collect flat rocks and smooth sticks.
Paint them with washable paints.
Use them as garden decorations or toys for pretend play.
Bonus twist: Paint them like pumpkins, animals, or fall leaves.
Parent tip: Lay down newspaper for easy cleanup.
12. Nature Bracelets
Why it’s perfect for fall: Toddlers love wearable art.
How to do it:
Wrap a strip of masking tape (sticky side out) around your toddler’s wrist.
Go for a walk and stick leaves, flowers, and seeds onto it.
Wear and admire your “bracelet” for the rest of the day.
Bonus twist: Use colored tape for extra flair.
Parent tip: It’s an easy on-the-go activity that doubles as a keepsake.
13. Shadow Chasing
Why it’s perfect for fall: Low sun angles make longer, more playful shadows.
How to do it:
Head outside on a sunny afternoon.
Try to “step” on each other’s shadows.
Take turns being the “shadow leader.”
Bonus twist: Make shadow shapes and guess what they look like.
Parent tip: No supplies needed — great for spontaneous play.
14. Cloud Watching
Why it’s perfect for fall: The weather shifts often, making sky-gazing interesting.
How to do it:
Lay on a blanket together.
Spot shapes in the clouds and make up stories about them.
Talk about how the weather changes in fall.
Bonus twist: Bring a sketchpad and draw what you see.
Parent tip: This is a calming wind-down activity before nap or bedtime.
15. DIY Story Stones
Why it’s perfect for fall: It turns small objects into big adventures.
How to do it:
Collect flat stones.
Draw or paint simple fall images: pumpkins, leaves, squirrels, apples.
Place them in a bag and pull out 2–3 to inspire a short story.
Bonus twist: Hide them around the house for a mini “story hunt.”
Parent tip: Reuse them year-round by swapping out seasonal images.
Memories > Price Tags
You don’t need expensive outings or store-bought toys to make fall magical for your toddler. With a little imagination and what’s already around you, you can create moments they’ll always remember — even if they don’t cost a penny.
If you try any of these, snap a photo and start a little “fall memories” album. You’ll be amazed at how quickly these tiny, free activities become part of your favorite family traditions.
