The Ultimate Fall Nature Guide for Homeschoolers
- homeschoolforyouco
- Oct 10
- 4 min read
Why Fall is the Perfect Time for Learning with Nature
With all of the beautiful changes that accompany the season of autumn, it is natural for our littles to want to get outside and explore nature. From the cooler weather to the color changing leaves, our imaginations are sparked and our curiosity heightens making fall a wonderful time to immerse ourselves in nature. Whether your family are seasoned homeschoolers or you are just looking for fresh ideas, these fall-themed nature activities, books, and projects will help your family connect with the world around you.
Nature Books for All Ages
Preschool–Early Elementary:
Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn by Kenard Pak: Join a young girl as she takes a walk through forest and town, greeting all the signs of the coming season. In a series of conversations with every flower and creature and gust of wind, she says good-bye to summer and welcomes autumn.
Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert: Ehlert crafts each illustration out of actual fall leaves on every spread to reveal gorgeous landscapes. This playful and whimsical book celebrates the natural world and the rich imaginative life of children.
We’re Going on a Leaf Hunt by Steve Metzger: Join three friends on a fun leaf-finding adventure! This bouncy new version of the popular song begs to be read out loud.
Upper Elementary:
A Seed Is Sleepy by Dianna Hutts Aston: Turn each page to explore the amazing world of these garden wonders through watercolor illustrations that bring to life nature landscapes filled with seeds, flowers, plants, leaves, and trees.
The Tree Lady by H. Joseph Hopkins: Part fascinating biography, part inspirational story, this moving picture book about following your dreams, using your talents, and staying strong in the face of adversity is sure to resonate with readers young and old.
Outside Your Window: A First Book of Nature by Nicola Davies: The buzz of bees in summertime. The tracks of a bird in the winter snow. This beautiful book captures all the sights and sounds of a child’s interactions with nature, from planting acorns or biting into crisp apples to studying tide pools or lying back and watching the birds overhead.
Middle School and Up:
The Wild Robot by Peter Brown: As Roz slowly befriends the animals, the island starts to feel like home--until, one day, the robot's mysterious past comes back to haunt her.
My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George: Teeming with hope, adventure, and a deep search for identity, My Side of the Mountain is a timeless classic for readers of all ages who have ever wondered what it would be like to live off the land.
The Lost Art of Reading Nature’s Signs by Tristan Gooley: When writer and navigator Tristan Gooley journeys outside, he sees a natural world filled with clues. The roots of a tree indicate the sun’s direction; the Big Dipper tells the time; a passing butterfly hints at the weather; a sand dune reveals prevailing wind; the scent of cinnamon suggests altitude; a budding flower points south.
Nature Crafts and Activities
Make these low-prep and family-friendly:
Leaf Rubbing Art: Use crayons and paper to create beautiful leaf prints.
Nature Collage: Collect acorns, leaves, twigs, and seeds to make art.
Pinecone Bird Feeders: Smear pinecones with peanut butter and roll in birdseed.
Pressed Leaf Bookmarks: A simple keepsake and great for fall reading!
You could also link to your leaf scavenger hunt freebie here — perfect timing for a call to action like:
💛 Don’t forget to download my Free Leaf Scavenger Hunt Printable to take along on your next nature walk!
Fall Nature Printables
There are tons of great printables and activities available to discover the wonders of fall. Below are a few of our favorites.
My Nature Flipbook: a fun and simple flipbook with facts about objects in nature as well as spaces to write your own observations
Fall Writing Prompts for 1st-2nd Grades: 14 pages of fun and engaging nature-inspired writing prompts to encourage creative writing about nature and fall
Sensory Bin Nature Cards: 12 nature word cards with bright watercolor images
Pumpkin Unit Study for 1st-2nd Grades: 21 low-prep pages of activities, crafts, lessons, experiments, and more!
Fall Nature Journal: 68 pages of a walk guided journal notebook prompts for grades 2nd-6th
Nature Inspired STEM Projects
Mix creativity with science and discovery with these fun and simple STEM projects:
Leaf Chromatography: Show how leaves change color using rubbing alcohol and coffee filters.
Pumpkin Sink or Float: Hypothesize and test!
Build a Bird Nest Challenge: Use natural materials to design a sturdy nest.
Measure a Tree’s Height: Learn about estimation and simple geometry.
These projects reinforce science, engineering, and observation skills — all with a fall twist.
Family Outdoor Adventures
Before the snow begins to fall we encourage you to step outside and explore with your family:
Visit a local pumpkin patch or apple orchard.
Go on a “Signs of Fall” nature walk.
Start a leaf collection scrapbook.
Go stargazing on a crisp night.
Visit a nearby nature center or hiking trail.
We put together a Fall Homeschool Bucket List full of fun nature-inspired activities for the family below.
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