Toasted Pumpkin Seeds

While carving Jack-o-lanterns with the children in your care save the pumpkin seeds to toast. To make separating the pulp from the seeds a bit easier, add them to a medium sized bowl. Fill the bowl with warm water and rub the seeds together in the palm of your hands to remove the stringy flesh. […]

Scissor Skills Autumn Tree 

It’s Autumn in my neck of the woods, making it a great time to read children’s books about autumn and the changing colors of the leaves with the little ones in my care. I also had the kids practice their scissors skills while making autumn trees out of construction paper. I recommend reading children’s books […]

“Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn” by Kenard Pak

Weekly Trip to the Library I absolutely love the changing seasons from summer into fall. “Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn” by Kenard Pak captures all the delights of the changing seasons perfectly.  In “Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn” we join a young girl on her walk from her house, through the woods and country, and into her […]

Autumn Leaf Crowns

During a babysitting job with boys and girls aged 4- to 8-years-old I brought autumn crafts to make with the bunch of little ones. They enjoyed making these easy autumn leaf crowns. I especially loved when the little boy was dancing and singing, “I am Autumn Man,” while wearing his leaf crown. Be sure to […]

“The Leaf Thief ” by Alice Fleming and Nicola Slater

Make leaf rubbings after reading The Leaf Thief: (The Perfect Fall Book for Children and Toddlers) by Alice Fleming and Nicola Slater with the children in your care. The Leaf Thief is a funny picture book that teaches kids about autumn, adapting to change, and the seasons. The main character is Squirrel and he loves […]

Twirling Hanging Leaves

Creative Wednesdays Autumn is my favorite season. I have so many Autumn leaf projects on my blog. Click here to see some of my favorite leaf projects. This year I wanted to try something new so my Nanny Kid and I made this pretty project that allows the leaves to twirl. We cut out paper leaves […]

“My Leaf Book” by Monica Wellington and Making Leaf Rubbings

Weekly Trip to the Library One of the most visible indicators of autumn are falling leaves. In “My Leaf Book” a little girl gathers leaves. She uses the leaves to create prints and rubbings and adds them to her own leaf book. “My Leaf Book” is a delightful way to encourage children to identify leaves. […]

“Autumn Leaves” by Ken Robbins

Prepare kids for fall nature walks by reading “Autumn Leaves,” with this bright, informative celebration of leaves by Ken Robbins. In “Autumn Leaves” by acclaimed photographer Ken Robbins lets the blazing colors of 13 North American deciduous trees shine without technical assistance. Robbins provides life-sized reproductions of leaves, shown clearly against a white background, making […]

The Little Yellow Leaf by Carin Berger

Leaf Projects The Little Yellow Leaf is a great story to share with children during Autumn. After reading the book be sure to do leaf projects with the kids. You can purchase the book by clicking links at bottom of page. The Little Yellow Leaf is about a lone leaf that doesn’t want to let […]

Pick a Circle, Gather Squares: A Fall Harvest of Shapes by Felicia Sanzari Chernesky

Weekly Trip to the Library Pick a Circle, Gather Squares: A Fall Harvest of Shapes by Felicia Sanzari Chernesky is a great book to share with the children this Autumn. It captures the atmosphere and activity at a pumpkin patch. As the family takes a hayride through the pumpkin patch they point out many different […]