Autumn aka Fall is a season that is filled with an explosion of colors, textures, and shapes in nature.
The changing leaves, ripening berries, and falling acorns provide a delightful opportunity for fun and educational activities with your little ones.
One simple activity that brings together the beauty of autumn and cognitive development for children is this DIY Cardboard Autumn Nature Puzzle.
What is the Autumn Nature Puzzle?
This Autumn Nature Puzzle idea is an easy DIY activity where kids interact directly with nature.
By collecting various items from the outdoors and then matching them to their outlined shapes on a board, children get a hands-on experience while developing essential skills.
Autumn is not just about the fall of leaves; it’s a mosaic of nature’s final burst of colors before winter.
The yellows, reds, oranges, and browns that dominate this season can be a visual treat for children.
Engaging in the Autumn Nature Puzzle allows kids to closely observe and appreciate the rich tapestry of colors and patterns that nature offers during this time.
You are definitely going to want to add this idea to your plan for autumn activities for preschool.
How to Create Your Own Autumn Nature Puzzle
Use the step by step guide below to help you in putting together this fun and engaging activity to enjoy with your little ones.
DIY Fall Nature Puzzle for Toddlers and Preschoolers
The Autumn Nature Puzzle is a DIY educational activity for kids aged 3-7. Using collected nature items like leaves, twigs, and berries, children match them to outlined shapes on a board, enhancing visual, spatial, and cognitive skills.
Materials
- Items from nature: Leaves of different shapes and sizes, twigs, berries, acorns, flowers, etc.
- A large piece of cardboard eg a clean pizza box
- Black marker such as a sharpie
Tools
- Optional - basket while nature collecting
Instructions
- Collect Nature Items: Go on a nature walk with your kids and gather a variety of items. This is a perfect time to talk about the different leaves, trees, and plants.
- Lay Them Out: Once you've collected enough items, lay them out on your piece of cardboard. Arrange them in a way that they don’t overlap.
- Outline with Marker: Use your black marker to carefully draw around each item. This will create the 'puzzle' piece shapes.
- Set Up the Puzzle: Remove the nature items and lay them next to the cardboard puzzle board.
- Let the Fun Begin: Challenge your kids to match each item with its corresponding outline.
Notes
Autumn Nature Puzzle: Time Breakdown
Prep Time (Making the Puzzle):
Nature Walk & Collection: 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the length of the walk and the interest of the child.
Arranging & Outlining on Cardboard: 15-20 minutes
Total Prep Time: 45 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes.
Active Time (Doing the Puzzle):
Depending on the child's age and familiarity with the items:
Ages 3-4: 15-20 minutes
Ages 5-7: 10-15 minutes
Average Active Time: 15 minutes.
Extra Time:
Discussion & Learning: If you decide to discuss each item, its origin, and its characteristics, this can add an extra 10-15 minutes.
Clean up: 5-10 minutes, especially if dealing with items like berries that might stain.
Total Extra Time: 15-25 minutes.
Overall Time Required: Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes to 2 hours.
What Do Kids Learn from the Autumn Nature Puzzle?
Stepping outside and immersing themselves in nature has profound benefits for children. Apart from the obvious physical exercise, being in nature can help reduce stress, enhance creativity, and boost their mood.
The simple act of collecting items for the puzzle can become a mini adventure, making the puzzle activity even more rewarding.
Related: Egg Carton Nature COLOR Hunt Activity for Kids
Visual Skills
Kids develop an acute sense of observation. They learn to distinguish between different shapes, sizes, and textures, enhancing their visual discrimination skills.
Spatial Awareness
Determining which item fits where on the puzzle board requires children to understand space and dimensions, which helps with sharpening their spatial intelligence and awareness
Logic & Cognitive Skills
The activity engages their logical thinking as they figure out the correct placement of each item.
Nature Education
Beyond cognitive skills, kids also get a practical lesson about the flora of their environment.
This activity can serve as a springboard for discussions about different trees, plants, and their characteristics.
While the puzzle activity is designed primarily for fun, it carries with it subtle learning moments.
As kids touch and feel the various textures of leaves, twigs, and other nature items, as well as the sensory input they’re also getting introduced to the basics of botany. This lays a foundation for a lifelong curiosity about the world around them.
Who is this Activity For?
The Autumn Nature Puzzle is most suitable for kids aged 3-7. For younger children, it’s a delightful sensory and matching game. For under 3s, close supervision is required to make sure the little ones don’t explore any of these items with their mouth.
As they get older, you can introduce more complex items and turn it into a learning session about the specifics of each item collected.
Autumn is more than just a season of change; it’s a treasure trove of learning opportunities for young minds.
The Autumn Nature Puzzle not only offers kids a fun activity but also integrates valuable lessons in observation, logic, and nature appreciation.
So, the next time you find yourself wondering how to keep your little ones engaged during those brisk autumn afternoons, you know what delightful DIY activity to turn to.
Enjoy the season, and happy puzzling!
More DIY Puzzle Activities
Puzzles have always captivated minds, young and old. They not only entertain but also stimulate cognitive and motor skills, providing a perfect blend of fun and learning.
If you’ve been on the lookout for more hands-on puzzle activities to challenge and entertain, you’ve landed at the right place. Dive into this collection of DIY puzzles that promise to unleash creativity and sharpen those problem-solving skills.
- Free Printable CVC Word Puzzles
- Printable Halloween Puzzles Craft
- DIY Wooden Shape Puzzles
- Recycled Christmas Card Puzzles
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More Nature Activities
Nature, with its vast landscapes, diverse species, and ever-changing patterns, is a treasure trove of learning and exploration opportunities.
Introducing children to the wonders of the natural world not only nurtures their innate curiosity but also fosters a lifelong love for the environment.
If you’re seeking more activities that intertwine the beauty and lessons of nature, look no further. This compilation is your gateway to endless nature-inspired adventures.
- Spring Nature Scavenger Hunt Printable
- DIY Miniature Greenhouse Project With Kids
- How To Make A DIY Bird Feeder With Kids
- Woodland Crafts & Activities for Kids
Anna Marikar, mum of four and seasoned blogger, has spent over a decade sharing her parenting journey and passion for kid-friendly crafts and free printables.
Her easy-to-follow craft ideas and practical parenting advice have transformed In The Playroom into a cherished resource for parents.
I’m absolutely obsessed with this 🩷🩷🩷🩷