Aliz Sass Are you ready for all the fall decorations or is it too early for you? This year fall is so different for us. Here in South Florida I don’t really feel the four seasons, but this year with my older son starting Kindergarten, it is a whole new story. I was very excited that he is in a “big “school now (as he calls it) and I feel summer is over because school started. I love to see the different baskets and decorations in the stores when fall is here. Yes, especially in Target. Please comment if you don’t like Target, we need to talk:)
So since summer is over (not really, but lets hope so for a little cooler weather from now on) I thought to share some fall Montessori inspired activities for all of my not too crafty mama friends.
No Cook Apple Cinnamon Playdough
You never can go wrong with apple and cinnamon, especially when fall is very close by. Playdough helps children develop the small muscles in their fingers and hands. They also gain strength and improve dexterity in their hands and fingers, critical areas of physical development for writing, drawing, and other purposes. Store playdough is just as fun as home made, however if you would like to add more fun you can make it with the kids. Quick and easy and it lasts for a month.
Ingredients:
2 cups All-Purpose Flour
1 cup Salt
2 Tablespoons Cream of Tartar
1 heaping Tablespoon Cinnamon
1 heaping Tablespoon Apple Pie spice
2 Tablespoons oil (coconut oil or any other cooking oil)
1 1/3 Cup Boiling Water
Directions: Add all the dry ingredients together in a bowl. Slowly stir in 1 1/3 cups boiling water. Mix, and knead with hands until it forms a ball. Let sit for 10 minutes to cool and then it’s ready for play.
This playdough can be stored in an airtight container.
Easy Leaf Pots
Kids of all ages like to work with air drying clay. They are easy to do as the shape is simple and they look adorable.
(See a step by step guide here if you need help https://www.redtedart.com/leaf-pinch-pots/
- Air drying clay
- Acrylic paints (though they look lovely plain too.. (especially if you decide to use brown air drying clay)
- Paint brushes if painting
Apple Stamping
- 2-3 Apples
- 1-2 Tbsp. Mini Chocolate Chips (just make sure you don’t eat them before you use it)
- White Paper—12×12 inch
- Brown Paper—8×11 inch
- Craft Paint- red, green, yellow
- Twine or String
- Glue Stick
- Scissors
- Paint Brush or Foam Brush
Directions
- With the brown paper, cut 4 long strips and 4 short strips about an inch wide.
- To make the basket, glue the long strips along the bottom of the white paper, leaving a bit of white showing between each one. Glue the short ones vertical on top of these spread out evenly.
- Cut the apples in half and cut pieces of twine about an inch in length.
- Paint the apple halves with one of the paint colors and stamp on the white paper to look like they are sitting in the basket.
- Repeat painting the apples and stamping on the paper until the basket is filled up.
- Place 2 or 3 mini chocolate chips on the middle of each painted apple to represent seeds. Then, glue on the twine to represent the stem.
To finish my article, I thought I would share with you my favorite childhood fall activities I remember doing in Hungary. I have such great memories of collecting chestnuts from the trees and bringing them home, cozying up with a warm tea and working on different creative projects with my family. Not sure if I miss the cold weather or the chestnuts more, but for sure I love to live in South Florida and I love fall here as well.
What are some of your favorite fall activities? Have you tried any of these activities before? Let us know in the comments!
