Fun Fall Outdoor Activities

Outdoor fun doesn't only have to take place during the summer! It’s important to balance the pressures inside the classroom with opportunities for youth to play and explore the outdoors. In fact, evidence shows that time spent outdoors in green spaces reduces stress and allows kids to connect to nature and build social skills.

To help you take advantage of those beautiful fall days during school-year programming, here are some of the Y’s favorite activity ideas for school-age kids:

1. Create a Nature Journal
2. Build piles of leaves…and jump into them!
3. Try the Principles of Flight Challenge
4. Create a nature collage (remember to only pick things from the ground!)
5. Try Alphabet Yoga
6. Draw fall scenes with sidewalk chalk
7. Take a field trip to the local park, farm or zoo
8. Try Sight Word Island Hopping
9. Create a leaf (or all-things nature) scavenger hunt
10. Create a Pine Cone Bird Feeder
11. Have a group picnic
12. Enjoy outside reading time
13. Create Autumn Leaf Sun Catchers
14. Play Eye Spy
15. Host a Parachute Challenge
16. Plan, write and perform an outdoor play
17. Any of these Simple Outdoor STEM Activities (only if the weather permits!)

Don’t forget to slather on the sunscreen along with those sweaters and coats!