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20 Outdoor Fall Science Experiments & Activities

20 Fall science experiments and Autumn science activities for preschoolers, kindergarten & elementary age kids!

I just LOVE Fall! 

Especially getting outside to enjoy the weather — which always leads me to think about a few fun Fall themed science activities for kids like these leaf science experiments & activities.

So today I hope to inspire you with some seasonal science — activities and experiments with leaves, apples, pumpkins and more Autumn favorites!

  Easy Fall science experiments and activities for preschoolers, kindergarten and elementary age kids

Fall Science Experiments & Activities

Autumn is the perfect time to try a few of these Fall themed learning activities especially since There’s a LOT of science that happens outside during the Fall season:

  • leaves change colors
  • animals start hibernation, migration or adaptation behaviors
  • the night sky begins to shift – kids probably notice you can see the moon both at night & in the morning
  • the days become shorter and cooler
  • and trees begin to shed both their leaves and seeds

With all the seasonal changes, science in the Fall can be so easy to come by and so colorful too — kids will typically ask questions like “why do leaves change colors?”, they look forward to making leaf rubbings and eagerly collect various nature items like pine cones & acorns for projects!

And one of the best parts about exploring science in the Fall is being able to make a mess outside 🙂 

In addition to talking with kids about the seasonal changes they see around them, try a few of these hands-on activities and experiments that introduce your kids to different science concepts.  We’ve included affiliate links to some of our favorite items that are great for exploring science in Autumn too!

 

Fall Science Experiments

While most of these are outdoor experiments, quite a few can also be done inside too!

Explore The Art & Science of Leaf Rubbings || Edventures with Kids

Or if you don’t have a variety of leaves in your area, try these Leaf Rubbing plates for kids with leaf guide!

Look at The Hidden Colors in a Leaf || Share it! Science

And you can also learn how a leaf breathes with this awesome experiment || Edventures with Kids

Explore what owls eat & digest with this Owl Pellet Science Lab Kit!

Introduce the five senses to kids with this Fall Apple Science Experiment || Edventures with Kids

See how a leaf gets water || Learn, Play, Imagine

Create a Pinecone Weather Station (this is so cool!) || Science Sparks

 

Fall science experiments for preschoolers, kindergarten and elementary age kids

Autumn Science Activities

Go on a Leaf Scavenger Hunt {free printable included} || Edventures with Kids

Try these Pumpkin Science Activities w/FREE printable worksheet! || Edventures with Kids

Test Gravity with Apples || Little Bins for Little Hands

Learn about the Life Cycle of a Pumpkin || The Bloom Mom

Track migration patterns with this Bird Watching Kit for kids!

Track the Phases of the Moon with these hands-on science activities || Edventures with Kids

Play Name that Tree! leaf & tree identification activity using these free printable tags || Edventures with Kids

Learn about bats with these Bat books & nighttime activities || Edventures with Kids

Explore life after dark with this FREE printable Nocturnal Scavenger hunt || Edventures with Kids

Take an evening walk with these Constellations Knowledge Cards and learn about the stars in your neighborhood!

 

More Fall Science Activities

Explore Citizen Scientist Projects for Kids to do at home || Edventures with Kids

Grow a pumpkin inside a pumpkin! || Life with Moore Babies

Learn what animals do in the Fall with these books on hibernation & migration || Edventures with Kids

Explore the different types of chlorophyll with this easy DIY Leaf Print Activity!

Use your 5 Senses & Guess what’s in the Fall Bag || The Pleasantest Thing

Set up an Animal Tracking Station in your yard! || Creekside Learning

Create an Autumn Nature Table (The Imagination Tree) or Fall Nature Science Tray and get an up close look at seasonal changes!

Younger kids will enjoy exploring the season with this Sunflower & Corn cob activity || Happy Hooligans

Looking for more outdoor science? We also recommend the Outdoor Science Lab for Kids!

 Fall and Halloween science activities for kids

Halloween Science Experiments for Fall

Another fun time to explore science is during Halloween so I wanted to include some bonus science activities for the holiday. Try these fun outdoor ideas for seasonal learning — most are perfect for a classroom activity too!

Turn a Pumpkin into a jack-o-lantern with this easy Halloween Optical Illusion! || Edventures with Kids

Learn a little biology with this Skeleton Bone Science Activity & FREE printables! || Edventures with Kids

Exploding Ghost Experiment || Three Ghost Friends

Kids will be amazed with this Ghost Science Kit experiment set!

Experiment with Melting Halloween Hands || Happy Hooligans

Make your Jack o’lantern erupt! || Growing a Jeweled Rose

See what happens when a Jack o’lantern rots || Kids Activities blog

Create a Ghost Balloon || Preschool Powol Packets

 

More Fun Fall Activities

Enjoy the season with more fun activities kids will LOVE!

40 Family-friendly Fall Activities

18 Autumn Scavenger Hunts