Fall science activities are some of the best because they are simple to put together and loads of fun for children!
I love that nature provides the perfect materials for these: leaves, acorns, pumpkins, apples, and more! These fall science experiments and activities are perfect for fall science lesson plans, leaf experiments for preschoolers, and nature studies. If you ever need ideas for setting up a classroom science area for fall, here are some of my favorite fall science ideas to include.
Fall Science Activities
Science in the fall is filled with fun seasonal activities that help us learn more about the world around us! Check out these interesting and engaging fall science experiments that are perfect for little hands that love to uncover new mysteries.
Why Do Pinecones Open? from Lemon Lime Adventures
Get the best learning activities for 3-5 year olds at your fingertips
Did you know pinecones open and close? This clever scientific inquiry uses water to determine more about the life cycle of the pine cone and how pine cones tell us more about the weather and the seasons. Don’t forget to put pinecones up to the window and see what they tell you!
Fall Seeds from Teachpreschool.org
Seeds come in all shapes and sizes and children love to explore them! Grab lots of varying seed types and use them in several ways with these fun fall seed lab!
How Hardy Are Pine Branches? from Lemon Lime Adventures
Find out how pine branches can thrive in different liquids! Which liquid helps the pine branch live the longest?
How Do Liquids Affect Apples? from Pre-K Pages
Find out which liquids turn apples brown and which liquids keep them from oxidizing. Here’s a hint… liquids that contain acid do a better job of keeping the apples nice and white. What liquids contain acid?
Exploring Acorns from Little Bins for Little Hands
Use acorns for simple acorn science activities and science experiments! From cracking the acorns, practicing sink or float, and even looking for tiny insects, acorns are full of surprises!
Sink Or Float? from B-Inspired Momma
This super simple science activity teaches children about sinking and floating! Go on a nature walk and gather fall items or use pre-bought fall sensory materials to test.
Fall & The Five Senses from The Preschool Toolbox
It’s time to test those 5 senses with this fall-themed five senses hunt. Taste pumpkin flavors, smell fall-scented favorites, and go on a nature walk outside and see how many senses you can activate!
Leaf Science Activities
Preschool Leaf Science Experiment from Preschool Powel Pockets
Freezing leaves in water makes that nature walk so much more fun! What can be discovered about leaves after they have been frozen?
Leaf Chromatography from Playdough to Plato
Find out why leaves change color with a chromatography lab and simple supplies like coffee filters and rubbing alcohol. This leaf chromatography experiment is probably my favorite! Check out this alternate leaf color experiment from KiwiCo
How Water Travels Through Leaves by Buggy and Buddy
It’s so mesmerizing to see how water (and colored water) can work its way up the vein of the leaves to the very top. Children love seeing their leaves change color as they ‘drink’ the water!
Tracing the Veins of a Leaf by Go Science Kids
After exploring how the veins of a leaf soak up water, grab some chalk and trace the veins of a leaf. How many veins does one leaf have?
Halloween Science
Eggshell Ghosts with Shaving Cream from Preschool Inspirations
These cute ghosts are perfect to make and smash! With egg shells and shaving cream, the ingredients are easy to grab and such a sensory hit!
Tea Bag Ghosts from Playdough to Plato
This science experiment is too fun not to try! Grab some tea bags and make them fly!
Candy Corn Layered Science from PreK Printable Fun
A candy corn layer experiment invites preschoolers to explore density with fall-themed materials. It’s fun to watch the colors separate and naturally create a layered candy corn look!
Ghost Rockets from Growing a Jeweled Rose
Repurpose those old film canisters and make them soar! Kids LOVE the chemical reaction inside and will be amazed over and over again.
Pumpkin Science Activities
Life Cycle Of A Pumpkin from Raising Global Kidizens
How do pumpkins grow? This is a great hands-on demonstration for young kids as they learn the life cycle of a plant.
Spinning Top Jack-O-Lantern from Buggy and Buddy
This STEAM activity is so fun and teaches force and motion. Try spinning your top on a different surface and make scientific predictions.
Smelly Pumpkins from Fun-A-Day
Don’t get rid of pumpkins right after you use them, watch them turn into Pumpkin Jack! How do pumpkins regrow at the end of their life cycle? Find out in this fun science activity.
Magic Pumpkin from Playdough to Plato
With Reese’s pieces and hot water, make a magical candy pumpkin and watch the colors bleed together. How long will it take for the colors to mix?
Pumpkin Oobleck from Inspiration Laboratories
Use common ingredients from the kitchen, and if someone decides to taste it, there will be nothing to worry about…except the horrible taste!
Pumpkin Volcano from Little Bins for Little Hands
A pumpkin volcano?! Is there anything cooler? This volcano is one of the best, and the Jack-o-lantern version is my favorite!
Pumpkin Slime from Little Bins for Little Hands
Make slime with a real pumpkin… don’t forget to include the pumpkin seeds! This is definitely going on our to-do list!
Pumpkin Exploration by Stir the Wonder
These are fantastic ways to learn about a pumpkin! This sensory exploration is a great way to discover the magic of nature and dive into science fun.
Rotting Pumpkin Vs Fresh Pumpkins from Lemon Lime Adventures
See firsthand what happens to pumpkins over time. Can you make an overflowing pumpkin patch like Rebecca in the story Too Many Pumpkins?
Pumpkin Bubbles from Run Wild My Child
A bubbling pumpkin! Yes, please! Make sure your child understands to blow ‘out’ with this experiment. Sucking in will result in a very unpleasant experience!
Fall Inspired Posts
- Pumpkin Books
- Pumpkin Book Character Craft
- 15 Fantastic Fall Books for Preschoolers
- Fall Lesson Plans
If you are looking for supplemental math and literacy centers for the fall… and the whole year… we’ve got you covered! With over 90 centers, your preschoolers will love the fun and engaging themes.
- Thanksgiving Ten Frame Counting Mats - November 17, 2024
- Easy Outdoor Color Changing Volcano with Baking Soda and Vinegar - September 10, 2024
- Rainbow Sensory Bottle - March 3, 2024
This is such a great list for Fall! Thanks for including our Leaf Chromatography – my kids want to do it every year, they love it so much.