There’s something thrilling about the arrival of autumn – the way nature magics itself into a rosy wonderland of burnt oranges and reds; the sun still warm and dazzling-bright though sitting a little lower in the sky now, sleepy after the long drawn-out summer.
Trees flaunt their newly copper leaves before sighing them free to the will of the wind – that crunch underfoot never ceases to satisfy me, nor does the glimpse of a gleaming conker fresh from its prickly shell. And just as the squirrel busies herself with larder-filling duties before the onset of winter, our own body clocks signal it’s time to stock up, snuggle up and welcome the hush of quieter days.
And for children, it’s a sensory playground out there – so many colours and textures to explore! Last autumn Teddy was still a newborn so entirely uninterested in anything beyond his mealtimes. But this year those wide eyes and eager hands are ready to get stuck into the season.
Here’s a short video of a few things we’ve ticked off our list so far. Below it you’ll find ideas to try with your little ones this month, before... (Dare I say it? Maybe whisper it?)
...Before talk of big green trees and a certain jolly bearded man falls into conversation.
Merry autumn!
GO EXPLORING
The days may well be drawing short, but that’s all the more reason to get out there and enjoy them. There’s something innately maternal about bundling up your babe, wellies and all, then keeping them close and warm. Make a trip to your local park or woodland for a treasure hunt and collect leaves, acorns, pine cones and conkers.
MAKE A LEAF GARLAND
Now you have your loot, it’s time to get crafty. I made a garland with leaves Teddy and I collected on a recent dog walk. First, I pressed them overnight between the pages of a heavy book, then sprayed them with varnish (not essential, but it does give them a lovely shine and keeps them from shrivelling). Once dry, Teddy helped me (and by helped I mean pulled them off repeatedly – what fun!) to peg the leaves to a piece of twine draped from the fireplace.
PICK YOUR PUMPKINS
Of course, it wouldn’t be October without pumpkins. While the supermarkets are awash with orange globes until Halloween, there’s nothing like seeing them freshly picked in barrows at a farm shop or, better still, out in the field they grew in. Little ones love taking their pick of which vegetable to take home (expect them to choose the biggest) and the photo opportunities are too good to let slip by.
BAKE GINGERBREAD
Baking with a one-year-old is messy. Very messy. But look beyond that and it really is a lovely way to spend an afternoon, making theatre out of dusting flour and kneading dough. There are so many simple biscuit recipes to be found online (my go-tos are deliciousmagazine.co.uk and healthyfood.co.uk) and I often find reducing the quantity of sugar to make them more baby-friendly has little effect on flavour. We only had animal biscuit stamps to hand, but look for leaf-shaped cookie cutters to go the whole autumnal hog.
FIRESIDE POPCORN
This week was the first time I’d introduced Teddy to popcorn – and as you’ll see in the film, it was a roaring success. Watching the kernels puff up to fluffy morsels, then rummaging deep in the still-warm bowl for the perfect bite... I dusted our popcorn simply in cinnamon, but there are so many flavours to experiment with: nutmeg, spiced sugar (for older children), salt and chilli pepper for adults... Snuggling up fireside with a bedtime story and a bowl of homemade snacks – so very Enid Blyton, no?
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