Screen Free Activities To Explore With Your Child This Autumn 

As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, autumn offers the perfect opportunity to slow down and spend quality time together as a family. With so many vibrant colours, cosy days, and natural changes happening all around, it’s the ideal season to explore new, screen-free activities that encourage creativity, curiosity, and connection. Here are some fun ways to make the most of the season with your child — no devices needed!

1. Go on a Nature Scavenger Hunt

This private school in Surrey suggests autumn transforms parks, gardens, and woodlands into treasure troves of natural wonders. Create a simple scavenger hunt list with items like pinecones, red leaves, acorns, conkers, or feathers. Head outdoors together and see how many you can find. You could even collect some of the items to create an autumn display or nature collage at home.

This activity not only helps children observe seasonal changes but also encourages mindfulness and curiosity about the natural world.

2. Bake Seasonal Treats Together

There’s something magical about filling your home with the smell of freshly baked goods on a chilly afternoon. Try baking simple autumn-inspired recipes such as apple crumble, pumpkin muffins, or cinnamon biscuits.

Younger children can help with mixing and decorating, while older ones can learn to measure ingredients and follow recipes. Beyond the delicious results, baking is a fantastic way to build fine motor skills and basic maths through weighing and counting.

3. Get Creative With Autumn Crafts

Use natural materials collected from your walks to make fun crafts. Leaf printing, pinecone animals, and homemade wreaths are great hands-on activities that allow children to explore textures and colours. You can also use salt dough to make keepsake ornaments shaped like leaves or pumpkins.

Crafting encourages imagination and gives children a sense of pride in their creations. Plus, it’s a calm and mindful way to spend a rainy afternoon.

4. Visit a Local Farm or Pumpkin Patch

Many farms across the UK host family-friendly events in the autumn, from pumpkin picking and maize mazes to tractor rides and apple pressing. It’s a lovely way to support local businesses while giving children a chance to learn about where their food comes from.

Don’t forget to take a few pumpkins home — they’re great for carving, painting, or even cooking into a hearty soup.

5. Build an Indoor Den

When the weather turns wet and windy, bring the adventure indoors by building a den. Use blankets, cushions, and fairy lights to create a cosy hideaway where you can read stories, play board games, or simply enjoy a mug of hot chocolate together.

Dens give children a sense of independence and creativity, transforming an ordinary living room into a magical world of their own making.

6. Explore Local Woodlands and Parks

There’s no better time to enjoy the outdoors than during autumn. Wrap up warm and take a stroll through your local park or forest. Encourage your child to notice how the leaves change colour, listen for rustling animals, and breathe in the earthy scents of the season.

These simple moments outdoors help children connect with nature, boost physical health, and support emotional wellbeing.

Making Autumn Memories

Stepping away from screens gives children the chance to be present, curious, and creative — and it allows families to reconnect in meaningful ways. Whether you’re exploring the woods, baking together, or crafting at home, these small seasonal activities can create lasting memories your child will cherish for years to come.

So, wrap up warm, embrace the golden glow of autumn, and enjoy all the screen-free fun this wonderful season has to offer.