Fall Sensory Soup
When it’s too chilly for outdoor play, you can still bring the magic of fall inside! “Fall Sensory Soup” is a fun, sensory bin activity that lets the little ones explore the feeling of fall. Squishy, smooth, bumpy, and crunchy textures all in one big “soup pot.”
You’ll Need:
A large shallow bin or container (a plastic storage bin or sensory table works great)
A spoon, ladle, or small scoop for stirring
A small amount of white or cream-colored washable paint mixed with water (to make a milky, high contrast “soup”)
Assorted fall items:
Real or artificial leaves (different textures and colors)
Small pinecones
Acorns or seed pods (large and smooth for easy handling)
Cinnamon sticks or orange peels for scent
Plastic measuring cups or bowls for “serving” the soup
Towel or tray underneath for easy cleanup
How to Do It:
Spread a towel or tray on the floor and place the container in the middle. Fill it halfway with the white paint-and-water mixture. Tell your child, “We’re making Fall Sensory Soup!”
Invite your toddler to help “add” the leaves, pinecones, and other natural items into the soup. Describe each item as it goes in:
“Here’s a soft yellow leaf, smooth and floppy.”
“A bumpy brown pinecone, feel all the little bumps.”
“Let’s drop in a cinnamon stick, mmm, smell that?”
Let your child mix everything together with their hands or a scoop. Talk about how it feels: cold, wet, soft, rough, slippery.
Ask simple questions or narrate what’s happening:
“What do you feel?”
“Can you find something rough?”
“Let’s stir the soup fast, now slow.”
The white background helps the darker fall items stand out, offering visual interest for children with partial sight.