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Learning Laboratory: Leaves, Leaves, Leaves!

Autumn is here, and this means it is time to enjoy the fall leaves! Fall leaves make a wonderful sensory experience for children.

Johnny plays with leaves

The soft stems and delicate leaves of our Japanese Maple make beautifully soft leaf piles, and my kids had a blast in their new sensory playground!

throwing leaves

We raked the leaves up over and over, so they could run through them, throw them in the air,

Lily with a leaf in her hair

And style fashionable hair accessories!

Benefits of Playing in the Leaves for Kids

Playing in the leaves looks like it is “just” fun, but it provides so many learning opportunities for kids! Here are a few things kids learn by playing in leaves:

  • Sensory input, especially sight, touch, and smell
  • Physical activity in the fresh fall air
  • Science! By playing in the leaves, kids get the chance to really explore how autumn leaves are different from spring and summer leaves. They also quickly learn about insulation as they discover that they stay much warmer under a pile of leaves.

Leaf Themed Books for Kids

Once you head back indoors, check out these fun fall leave themed books for kids:

Do you have a favorite autumn leaf themed book we should read?

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MaryAnne is a craft loving educator, musician, photographer, and writer who lives in Silicon Valley with her husband Mike and their four children.

12 thoughts on “Learning Laboratory: Leaves, Leaves, Leaves!”

  1. Valerie @ Frugal Family Fun Blog

    So much fun!! One of my most cherished childhood memories is playing in leaves. Beautiful photos!!
    .-= Valerie @ Frugal Family Fun Blog´s last blog ..Easy Leaf Wreath =-.

  2. So fun!! And your kids are gorgeous and bundly, too. Love it!
    .-= Elisa | blissfulE´s last blog ..Michael builds a train track =-.

  3. What a beautiful tree to have. You really do have the perfect sensory playground. So much fun and laughter to be had in that pile of leaves.

    1. @Elise – I LOVE our tree, and yes, we are very blessed to have such a wonderful yard!

      @Natalie – Yes, seeing things through a child’s eyes makes it all the more beautiful, doesn’t it!

      @Jen – Too bad we can’t send you some of our leaves =)

      @Susana – Ours is quite large, for a Japanese Maple. I LOVE this tree, I think it is the most beautiful tree in the world!

  4. We did yesterday as well, and it was so much fun. This time of the year is so beautiful, and it’s even better when one can look at all the beauty with child’s eyes.
    .-= Natalie´s last blog ..Raising Lifelong Learners =-.

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