Fall awakens both creativity and imagination in me. Perhaps it's the temperature change. Suddenly going outside is less hot and humid. Back to school certainly flicks a switch where the dog days of summer are put to rest and we are set into a higher gear. Autumn colours are incredible. Trees audaciously display vibrant reds, oranges and yellows. And then, there are the festivities that come with the season too. Summer days roll together barely distinguishable from one another while Fall days are crisp and clear. The good news for this dreamer is my kids are visionaries. They are enthusiastic to partake in whatever crafting or creative game we dream up. And as a result, I'm noticing they are seeing possibility in the smallest of things. They now see dried thistles, unshapely rocks, and branches as canvases for their imaginations. Whether your weather is cold, rainy, or finally mild, I've included simple ways to prompt your child's imagination during the fall.

1. Use Dried Leaves as Stamps and Impressions

On a crisp fall day, it is a lot of fun to collect different coloured and shaped leaves. This is a wonderful time to discuss the difference between deciduous and coniferous trees, compare different shaped leaves and learn about autumn.

What you need:

• Tempera paint
• Paint brushes
• Paper
• Scotch tape

Instructions:

1. Once the leaves have been collected, place them underneath a heavy book for a few days to flatten. By all means, feel free to skip this step and get to painting right away.
2. Cover the leaves in paint and then press them into large pieces of paper. These impressions are really cool, but it's also fun to secure leaves down to paper and paint away from the centre of each leaf, finishing the brush strokes on the paper. This creates a striking outline of the leaf.

2. Make a Witches Cauldron Magic Potion

Whether it's yucky outside or not, getting outdoors can be a wonderful way to make the whole family feel refreshed, burn off some energy, and get creative. If it is, in fact, cold or wet, get the kids dressed in jackets and boots, grab a bucket or two and head to a nearby trail or park. Encourage your kids to pick up anything they think is magical to collect for the brew. When you return home, bring out your biggest pot and some wooden spoons. Fill the pot halfway or so with water. Using the collected items, some glitter, coloured ice, spices (we love pumpkin spice or cinnamon), and/ or anything else you want, create your brew. Allow the kids to use plastic cups or containers and wooden spoons to stir and examine the brew. Let them play for a while as if it were a water table. To dispose of the potion, use a strainer or colander. Compost the remaining items.

3. Paint Mini or Big Pumpkins

This seems so simple, but it will have your child focused, engaged, and creative. Not only is it both easy and captivating, this is a reusable idea! When they'd like to start again, wash the paint off in a sink. Using a scrub brush can help get rid of those last little bits of paint.

What you need:

• Tempera paint
• Paint brushes
• A pumpkin or two
• Newspaper under the pumpkins can help contain the mess!

4. Create Mini Pumpkin or Apple Impressions

What you need:

• An apple or mini pumpkin cut in half lengthwise.
• Tempera paint on a plate or other flat surface
• Large pieces of paper or posterboard
• Forks

Instructions:

1. Grab an old tired looking apple or a mini pumpkin and cut it in half lengthwise.
2. Place different fall coloured paint on a plate. Then stick forks in the back of each pumpkin to act as handles for the stamps.
3. Stamp away!

5. Set up a Sensory Bin Using Fall Coloured Rice

Sensory play is a wonderful way to stimulate young minds and facilitate play-based learning. This idea for fall coloured rice is fun for them to create, play with, and is easy to set up.

What you need:

• 3 cups of white rice
• 1 1/2 tsp. white vinegar
• Food colouring
• Air tight containers
• Baking sheet
• Bin or pan

Instructions:

1. Place each cup of rice into a separate container with 1/2 a tsp of vinegar. Add food colouring into bins. Shake well.
2. Spread out the coloured rice onto a baking pan. Place in the oven at 300°F for 10 minutes.
3. Let cool and then play! Add items you've found from outside, favourite toys, slotted spoons, or tongs to add an extra dimension to the fun!

I hope you enjoy these activities as much as we have. The possibilities for creativity in the fall are endless!

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