Fall is here, and there's no better way to celebrate it with your family than with some fabulous kid-friendly fall activities! Bettendorf's cooler weather and vibrant colors offer endless opportunities for seasonal fun, so if you're looking for easy ways to keep your little ones entertained this fall, you've come to the right place! In this guide, we'll cover a wide variety of hands-on fall activities for kids, including leaf art, pumpkin decorating, and much more. 

Let's get started!

 

Leaf Art Creations

Turn nature into art with one of the easiest outdoor activities for kids this Autumn: leaf art! Leaf art is the perfect way to explore the beauty of the season, plus it's a blast for kids of all ages. Here's how to kick things off:

Go on a Leaf Hunt: Head outside and go on a leafy adventure! Search for all kinds of shapes, sizes, and colors. The more unique leaves you find, the more fun your project will be!

Make Leaf Rubbings: Pop those leaves under a sheet of paper and let your little ones rub crayons over them. Watch in awe as the leaf's delicate details magically appear!

Create Leaf Collages: Grab some glue and arrange the leaves into cool patterns. For a bit of extra fun, use them to create pictures of their favorite animals, trees, or even funky monsters!

Painted Leaf Prints: For an artsy twist, brush one side of a leaf with paint and press it onto paper for a bright, colorful masterpiece.

These leaf creations are a ton of fun for everyone. Plus, they make awesome homemade fall decorations for your house—talk about a win-win! For even more fun, use colored paper or a little sprinkle of glitter to give your artwork some extra pizzazz. 

Pumpkin Decorating Fun

Pumpkin carving might be a classic fall-time activity, but for parents, it can quickly turn into a sticky, messy, stressful situation. Luckily, there are tons of fun, no-carve ways to let your kids get creative with pumpkins—no sharp tools needed! Here are some easy ideas:

Paint Party Pumpkins: Break out the non-toxic acrylic paints and let your kids' imaginations run wild! Whether they turn their pumpkins into wacky animals, superheroes, or anything else they dream up, the sky's the limit when paintbrushes are in hand!

Sticker Fun: Stickers to the rescue! Grab some Halloween-themed stickers and let your kiddos create silly faces, cool patterns, or spooky designs without all the mess.

Googly Eye Creations: Bust out the craft supplies to create fun 3D characters! Googly eyes, felt, and pipe cleaners are all your young Frankensteins need to bring their pumpkins to life!

By keeping it simple and ditching the sharp tools, pumpkin decoration becomes a fun, safe, and stress-free seasonal kids' craft that even the tiniest hands can enjoy. Plus, these pumpkins make great additions to your Bettendorf home's fall porch decor.

Kid-Friendly Fall Plant Ideas (Mini Terrariums with a Twist)

Introduce your kids to the magic of nature by creating a mini terrarium with a fall-inspired twist! It's the perfect hands-on activity that teaches them about plants, ecosystems, and responsibility—all while having a blast crafting their own little world. Here's how to make it happen:

Gather your goodies: You'll need a small glass jar or container, some kid-safe plants (succulents are perfect!), soil, and a few fun fall decorations like mini pumpkins, colorful leaves, and acorns. The more festive, the better!

Build the base: Start by layering small stones for drainage, then add a layer of soil. Don’t forget a small layer of charcoal to keep terrarium moisture from smelling. Half the fun is watching your kids dive in and get their hands dirty!

Plant & decorate: Help your kids plant their tiny greenery, then let them unleash their creativity by arranging pumpkins, acorns, and leaves to give their terrarium their own unique cozy fall vibe.

Plant care tips: Show your kiddos how to properly water their plants and teach them about their light needs, allowing them to take charge of their own little fall garden!

This project is one of our favorite fall activities for kids, as it sparks their creativity while filling them with an immense sense of pride as they watch their mini ecosystem thrive. Plus, it doubles as a charming fall centerpiece for your home!

Wallace’s Fall Scavenger Hunt

Get ready for a fall adventure like no other at Bettendorf's own Wallace's Garden Center! Our annual Fall Scavenger Hunt is the perfect way to get your kids to explore the outdoors, soak up the crisp autumn air, and discover all the hidden treasures nature has to offer. Here's how to make the most of this exciting event:

Grab Your Hunt List: When you arrive at Wallace's, pick up your scavenger hunt checklist packed with fun items to find, like acorns, colorful leaves, pinecones, and more! Just remember your basket or bag to collect all the goodies.

Let the Adventure Begin: Set your kids loose and watch them race around, eager to check off every item on their list! The fall colors, cool breeze, and endless discoveries will keep them entertained for hours.

Craft with Your Finds: After the hunt, bring the fun home! Use the items your kids collected to create awesome nature crafts, like collages and DIY decor. They can even add them to their fall-themed terrarium!

Fall is the ultimate season for fun, hands-on projects that let you and your kids get creative and connect with nature! Whether you're decorating pumpkins, building mini terrariums, setting out on an exciting scavenger hunt, or turning leaves into art, there's a world of fall fun outside your front door just waiting to be explored.

These fall activities for kids are not just a blast, but they're also packed with opportunities for learning and discovery. So, grab those pumpkins, collect some colorful leaves, and jump into a season full of creativity and adventure! Whether you try one project or tackle them all, they're sure to bring loads of joy, laughter, and happy memories. Let the fall fun begin!