The Changing Seasons: Autumn and Halloween in the Classroom

In this edition of the LINC Blog, “The Changing Seasons: Autumn and Halloween in the Classroom,” LINC tutor Clare O’Shea shares activity ideas, reflections on Aistear’s themes, and practical tips for making the most of autumn in your setting.

Autumn is here, bringing crisp leaves, colourful trees, and endless opportunities for discovery. In Early Years education, this season is more than just a change in weather. It is a chance to spark children’s curiosity, creativity, and sense of wonder.

Aistear (Government of Ireland, 2025) highlights the importance of Dúlra (nature), Ómós Áite (value of place), and Ionadh (a sense of wonder). It shows how educators can use the natural environment to support children’s wellbeing while creating opportunities for exploration and thinking.

Making the Most of Autumn

Autumn offers countless opportunities for children in every age group, from the baby room to afterschool. It is also the richest season for loose parts that can be used in free play, provocations, nature tables, and art activities at little or no cost. Most of all, the changing weather and colourful trees encourage us to slow down, embrace a relational pedagogy, and take time to notice the world around us.

When I ran a community preschool, we embraced this season fully. One morning I arrived to find bags of dried leaves waiting for crispy leaf play. On another occasion, we took a walk to the local sensory garden. The children crunched through the leaves, tossed them into the air, and gathered treasures such as pinecones, berries, seeds, and nuts.

Activity Idea: Autumn Treasure Hunt

• Collect leaves, pinecones, berries, seeds, and nuts.
• Encourage children to share what they found.
• Use the treasures for sorting, counting, or art projects.

If your setting is not near woodlands or parks, consider working in partnership with parents. Invite families to take a weekend nature walk and bring in items for the children to explore and discuss.

Seasonal Activities in the Classroom

There are endless ways to bring autumn into the classroom.

• Playdough hedgehogs made with matchsticks spark conversations about hibernation.
• Nature tables filled with leaves, acorns, conkers, chestnuts, and berries make bright displays. Children can use magnifying glasses to explore them or turn them into art through printing, painting, and collage.
• Cooking together can be seasonal too. Try preparing an autumn harvest soup by peeling, chopping, and mixing ingredients in a safe, child-friendly way.
• Science in action can happen through planting oak trees from acorns.

Activity Idea: Growing Oak Trees from Acorns

1. Gather acorns.
2. Place them in a jar of water and keep only the ones that sink.
3. Plant the viable acorns into pots of soil and store them in a shaded outdoor area.

By spring, some may sprout into little oak trees that children can take home or continue to nurture in your setting.

These activities not only bring joy but also support important skills such as fine motor development, early science, sensory awareness, and creativity.

Celebrating Halloween

Autumn also brings Halloween. Originating from the Irish pagan festival of Samhain, it is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate through storytelling, dressing up, and festive play. Some settings may even choose to light a small, safe bonfire to reflect the traditions of the past.

One of my favourite activities was hosting a spell party. We invited a local woman to visit dressed as a witch, and the children gathered in a circle around a cauldron. Each child added a silly ingredient while chanting a spell. Some of our favourites included:

• Ghost droppings (mini marshmallows)
• Cat claws (dry rice)
• Mouse droppings (raisins)
• Frogs (jellies)
• Cobwebs (silly string)
• Witch’s boogies (green slime)

With a dramatic shout of Abrakadabra and a quick swap behind a screen, the cauldron was revealed again, this time filled with treats for the Halloween party. The laughter and excitement made the experience unforgettable. Halloween activities support imagination, language development, group participation, and cultural awareness.

Inclusion and Considerations

To ensure Halloween is a positive experience for all, take time to reflect on children’s needs:

• Will all children enjoy dressing up, or should it be optional?
• Are spare costumes available for those who may not have one?
• Should the witch be friendly, funny, or spooky, and how might the group respond?
• Are all ingredients safe, nut-free, and suitable for children with allergies?

Asking these questions helps to create a safe, inclusive, and enjoyable celebration.

Conclusion

Autumn and Halloween bring rich opportunities to nurture children’s sense of wonder, creativity, and connection to nature. From simple leaf play to planting oak trees or casting magical spells, these experiences enrich learning and bring joy to the classroom. By slowing down and embracing the rhythm of the season, educators can give children space to notice, explore, and celebrate the world around them.

References
Government of Ireland (2024) Aistear: The Early Childhood Curriculum Framework and Guidance for Good Practice. Available at: https://www.curriculumonline.ie/early-childhood/aistear-2024/

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