If you’ve been wondering how to keep your little one busy, calm, and learning this season — here are 10 screen-free autumn activities that nurture curiosity, independence, and connection.
As the air turns crisp and golden leaves begin to fall, autumn invites us to slow down, snuggle in, and rediscover the beauty of playtime without screens. For toddlers, every pinecone, puddle, and pumpkin is a new adventure waiting to be explored.
Many of these ideas come straight from our 10-in-1 Autumn Toddler Compendium, a Montessori-inspired printable pack designed to make seasonal learning simple and joyful.
1. Go on a Nature Treasure Hunt
Bundle up, grab a little basket, and head outdoors. Collect leaves, acorns, and pinecones together, then sort them by size, colour, or shape. This simple activity builds observation and early maths skills — and brings the calm rhythm of nature indoors.
2. Play an Autumn Lotto Game
Our Autumn Lotto Bingo game turns learning into laughter. Matching pictures helps toddlers strengthen visual memory while practising turn-taking — and the soft watercolour artwork creates a gentle, soothing learning atmosphere.
3. Solve Simple Two-Piece Puzzles
Puzzles like Heads & Tails help toddlers develop problem-solving and hand-eye coordination. Start with familiar animals or nature pictures and let your child discover each match with delight.
4. Make a Leaf Collage
Gather leaves of every shape and shade, then glue them to paper for a simple, sensory-rich art project. Talk about colours, textures, and smells — it’s a beautiful way to practise mindfulness with your toddler.
5. Play Picture Dominoes
Dominoes are perfect for early turn-taking and logical thinking. The Picture Dominoes in our Toddler Compendium feature charming autumn watercolours that keep little minds engaged while reinforcing matching and pattern recognition.
6. Enjoy a Toddler iSpy
Our Number iSpy printable sheets make counting practice playful. Spot and count apples, pumpkins, and woodland creatures — ideal for quiet time, travel days, or cosy afternoons by the window.
7. Colour the Season
Bring out the crayons! Our Autumn Colouring Book includes 24 realistic, nature-based images — no fantasy characters, just the calm beauty of the season. Colouring helps toddlers build focus, coordination, and early pre-writing control.
8. Use Vision Cards in a Sensory Basket or as Wall Art
Place Toddler Vision Cards in a small sensory basket or framed at toddler eye level. The beautiful watercolor and photorealistic designs support visual development and real world recognition, whilst the silhouette images are ideal for shadow matching activities — perfect for Montessori-style shelves or wall art.
9. Play Snap or Memory Match
You can use our Toddler Vision Cards to play simple games like Snap and Pairs/Memory Match to build patience, memory, and focus. Start with a few matching pairs across the watercolor and photorealistic images and add more as your toddler’s confidence grows. The cross-style matching further develops real world object recognition and provides open opportunities to strengthen vocabulary and early language skills.
10. Create Calm Storytime Moments
End your autumn day with candlelight, a blanket, and your toddler’s favourite seasonal book. Reading aloud supports early literacy and strengthens family bonds — it’s the gentlest way to wind down before bedtime.
Keep the Magic Going with the Autumn Toddler Compendium
If these activities make your heart happy, you’ll love having them all beautifully designed and ready to print in one place.
The Autumn Toddler Compendium includes 10 Montessori-friendly, screen-free activities — plus a Parent & Educator Guide with extension ideas for every skill level.
✨ Perfect for toddlers and preschoolers
✨ Encourages independence and curiosity
✨ Designed with calm autumn watercolours
✨ Ideal for homes, preschools, and Montessori shelves
Inside you’ll find:
✅ Lotto Bingo Game (12 boards, 36 draw cards – includes both watercolour and photorealistic styles)
✅ Heads & Tails – 2 Piece Puzzles (12 watercolour style puzzles, 24 pieces)
✅ Picture Dominoes (8 watercolour style images, 36 dominoes)
✅ Number iSpy (10 large sheets – A4/US Letter)
✅ Colouring Book (24 realistic images – no fantasy)
✅ Toddler Vision Cards (12 designs, 3 styles, 36 cards) for:
✅ a) Shadow Matching
✅ b) Pairs Memory Match Game
✅ c) Snap Game
✅ d) Sensory Baskets (laminated)
✅ e) Eye-level wall displays
Explore the Autumn Toddler Compendium today and fill your season with calm, connected, screen-free play. Download all ten printable activities in one easy bundle — available now on Etsy.
And don’t forget — when you join the Inspired by Wonder community, you’ll get 10% off your next order!