As the days are getting shorter, the leaves are changing colour. Summer has come to an end and Autumn has arrived. I love this season of beauty and it’s melancholy feeling of time slipping through my hands. The kids have grown so much and are about to start another year of school. There’s a lot going on but it’s also nice to take the time to stand still and appreciate the moment. This simple Autumn sensory box does just that. It takes only a few minutes to set up and invites little ones to play, explore and learn all about beautiful Autumn. Have a look at the details below.

How to set up a Simple Autumn Sensory Box

Setting up this Autumn sensory box is a breeze. All you need is a couple of Autumn themed items of various colours and textures and you’re ready to go.

Here’s what we used:

• a wooden tray: any tray will do
• Autumn leaves: real is nicer but not-so-real will do too!
• pine cones
• a bit of straw or raffia
• pumpkins: the mini decorative kind
• acorns
• decorative mushrooms/toadstools (can’t recommend the real ones here)

If you have a nature table, this sensory tray would be an excellent addition, with some autumn themed books, animals and figurines. If not (we’re usually not that organised!) you can simply set the autumn sensory box out as a fun invitation to play.

When it comes to sensory boxes or invitations to play, I tend to place them in a quiet(er) corner of the house and leave it out for about a week. Children like to come and go as they play and will revisit play areas over a number of days given the chance. While it may seem like not a whole lot is happening, I can assure you there is. Their little brains benefit greatly from the input we provide and especially when it comes to the changing of seasons and other important themes in the cycle of life, simple activities like these are little educational gems.

More Autumn Sensory Play

Many will agree with me that Autumn is a simply stunning time of the year and really lends itself well to excellent play and craft opportunities for children. Here are some fun ones you might want to have a look at.

• Fall Sensory Bottles by Kids Craft Room
• 4 of the Best Autumn/Fall Play Dough Recipes by Emma Owl
• Autumn Tree Fine Motor Threading by Wings and Roots
• Autumn Woods Sensory Small World by The Imagination Tree
• 4 Season Trees Craft & Small World Play by Make it Your Own
• Preschool Autumn Sensory Table by Emma Owl
• Autumn Sensory Play Gel by Kids Craft Room
• Under the Fall Tree Small World and Sensory Play by Buggy and Buddy

And if sensory play is your thing, be sure to check out all our sensory play activities here or have a look at these gorgeous “play on a tray” ideas.

Enjoy! Ann*

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