Fall-Leaf Sensory Activities to Enjoy at Home

Autumn is here and that means cool days, warm sweaters, hot drinks…and colorful fall leaves!

Many of our friends here at Boundless enjoy jumping in the fall leaves, while others say “no thanks” to what can sometimes be a messy game (twigs in your hair, caterpillars on your sweater). Whether your loved one or group likes touch, visual, or movement sensory activities best, here are four fun things to do with leaves (beyond jumping in them) for people of all abilities to enjoy.

Fall Calm-Down Sensory Bottles

Everybody loves sensory bottles, but this is an especially good activity for individuals who don’t want to touch the leaves. By adding pieces of leaves to sensory bottles, they can enjoy fall colors without the mess or unwanted sensory input.

The sensory play here is visual!

Depending on who will be enjoying the bottle, it’s often best for these to be prepared a day in advance by a parent, guardian, or caregiver.

What you will need:

• An empty bottle (any bottle with a tight cap will work, plastic water bottles are often used)
• Fall leaves (cut or torn into confetti-like pieces)
• Corn syrup, vegetable oil, or baby oil (optional)
• Strong glue (hot glue or super)
• Water
• Extras! (optional) Glitter is a very popular extra. Sequins and small beads are fun, too. We don’t recommend food coloring for this one because it might cover up the pretty fall colors of the leaves.

Directions:

1. Clean your bottle. If there is a sticky residue left over from the label, vinegar or rubbing alcohol can help remove it. A sticky-free bottle will make those with sensory sensitivities far happier.
2. Fill the bottle with the leaf pieces and extras. A piece of paper can be used as a funnel if you wish to make the job a little easier.
3. Fill the bottle (almost) to the top with liquid. Leave an inch or so for shake-ability. What ratio is up to you! More water = quicker movement. More syrup/oil means slower movement (think lava lamp). We recommend at least half of the liquid be water, as too much syrup/oil will not be as fun to watch.
4. Put on your cap WITHOUT glue. Shake up the bottle. See if you like how it looks. Is it too slow? Dump out some of the liquid and add more water. Does it need more leaves or glitter?
5. Now it’s glue time. Once you like how your bottle looks, carefully remove the cap and dry the top of the bottle if it is wet. Apply glue to the spiral “thread” of the bottle and immediately replace the cap and screw it on TIGHTLY.
6. Allow the glue to dry. Once it is dry, turn the bottle upside-down and all around to see if it leaks. If it does, you can remove the cap and glue again or you can put a layer of glue around the outside of the cap.

Duct tape can be used to close the bottle instead, but it can be distracting or undesirable for those with sensory processing differences, who may want to pick at the tape.

Leaf Name-Game

This is a fun and educational game that allows for some touch sensory play with fall leaves. To mix things up, you can even use sight words instead of names.

• What you will need:
• Fall leaves - As many as you need to spell the name or word
• A thick, dark marker (permanent works best)
• An extra-large sheet of paper

Directions:

1. Write the person’s name, widely spaced and in capitals, on a big piece of paper.
2. Write the letters again on the leaves, giving each letter its own leaf.
3. Have the player match their name by laying the leaves over the corresponding letters.

Tip: If you want to turn this into an art project after the game is over, break out the glue stick!

Fall Leaf Butterfly Craft

This is a very simple craft that produces a charming result.

What you need:

• Pairs of fall leaves
• Paper
• Glue
• Scissors (optional)

Directions:

1. Collect leaves; two each for as many butterflies as you want to make.
2. Remove the stems from the leaves. This can be done by pinching with your fingers or cutting with scissors. (The helper can always do this part while the crafter moves on to step three.)
3. On paper, draw a long oval for the butterfly’s body.
4. Now draw antennas. A smiley face can be added, too, depending on if a realistic or cartoon butterfly is desired.Tip: If you want to do a little extra, trimmed leaf stems can be glued on as antennas!
5. On either side of your oval, apply a patch of glue (glue sticks, if you have them, dry quickest).
6. Press the leaves into the glue with the base of the leaf against the oval and the tips of the leaves pointing outwards.
7. Enjoy your butterflies! If you make this craft, share it with us on social media. Our mascot Bubbles the butterfly would love to see it.

Breeze Freeze Dance

This time, the sensory play is MOVEMENT. This activity is best enjoyed outside where movement is least restricted. It can be played inside, too, if your space permits!

To Start:

1. Ask the dancers to watch (or think about) the movement of falling leaves. If you’re outside, you can pick up leaves to throw into the air.
2. Ask them, “How do you think leaves would dance?” Tell them to show you.

This is the perfect activity for always-on-the-move types. Hand-flapping and spinning, some favorite movements of individuals with sensory processing differences, can really look like falling leaves, don’t you think?

To turn the leaf dance into a game:

Explain to the dancers how wind moves leaves. When you say “BREEZE” they start dancing. When you say “FREEZE” they stay in place like statues.

An alternative to this game:

When you say “BREEZE” slowly, the dancers dance slowly. When you say “BREEZE, BREEZE, BREEZE” quickly, they dance fast.

The “FREEZE” element can be included or left out of this version. You can really have a lot of fun varying the speeds and using different silly voices to indicate slow or fast.

We hope you have fun trying out one or more of these fall-leaf sensory activities at home or with your group. If you would like to show off your art, crafts, or dancing to our community, please feel free to share your videos or pictures to our social media pages!