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Fall has a way of sneaking up on us, doesn’t it? One minute we’re still clinging to the long, hot days of summer, and the next—bam!—the leaves are turning, apples are ripening, and pumpkin spice everything is everywhere. 🍂
As a homeschool mom, I’ve always loved this season because it brings with it endless learning opportunities. Fall is just bursting with natural themes that are perfect for hands-on activities: apples, leaves, migration, harvest, gratitude—the list goes on. And the best part? Kids don’t even realize how much they’re learning because they’re having so much fun!
If you’re looking for some cozy, creative, and educational ideas to bring into your September homeschool days, I’ve got you covered. Below, I’m sharing some of my favorite fall homeschool activities, including apple crafts, leaf science explorations, and broader September themes that you can weave into your lessons.
Let’s dive in! 🍎🍁
Apple Crafts That Double as Learning Activities
When I think of September, apples are the first thing that come to mind. Not only are they delicious (hello, homemade apple pie!), but they’re also a fantastic teaching tool.
1. Apple Printing Art
Cut an apple in half and dip it into paint to make apple stamps. Kids can use them to decorate paper, make cards, or even create patterns. This ties into both art and math (patterns, shapes, symmetry).
2. Apple Life Cycle Craft
Draw or print out the stages of an apple’s life cycle (seed → sprout → tree → blossom → apple). Have your child color and cut them out, then glue them onto a paper plate or create a little flipbook. This is a wonderful introduction to plant science and sequencing.
3. Apple Taste Test Chart
Buy three or four different types of apples (red, green, yellow). Have your kids taste-test them, then record their favorites using a simple chart. Talk about adjectives (sweet, tart, crisp, juicy) and introduce a mini graphing lesson by making a bar graph of everyone’s top picks.
4. Apple Dissection
Slice open an apple and explore what’s inside: the skin, flesh, seeds, and core. Talk about the function of each part. Kids can even count seeds, measure their size, and compare apples by variety.
Apples are such a versatile teaching tool—they hit science, math, art, and even language arts if you tie in a favorite apple story like Ten Apples Up on Top!
Leaf Science Explorations
Of course, fall wouldn’t be fall without leaves crunching under our feet. Leaves make for incredible science activities that kids ages 5–12 can enjoy.
1. Leaf Identification Walk
Head outside and collect leaves from different trees. Bring them home, compare shapes, and try identifying them using a simple tree guide (there are tons of kid-friendly versions online). This activity builds observation skills and ties into biology and nature study.
2. Leaf Rubbing Art
Place a leaf under a sheet of paper and rub over it with crayons. Not only is this fun, but it highlights the intricate vein patterns. You can discuss how veins carry nutrients and water through the leaf—a gentle introduction to plant anatomy.
3. Why Do Leaves Change Color? Experiment
Grab some green leaves and place them in jars with rubbing alcohol. Set the jars in warm water, then place strips of coffee filters into the jars to see the pigments separate. This demonstrates the hidden colors in leaves and explains photosynthesis in a hands-on way.
4. Leaf Sorting & Graphing
Sort collected leaves by size, shape, or color, and create a chart or bar graph. This is another great way to combine math and science in a fun, seasonal context.
September Themes to Inspire Your Homeschool
Fall isn’t just about apples and leaves—it’s also a time for bigger themes you can weave into your homeschool lessons all month long.
1. Harvest & Farming
Read books about harvest time, visit a farmer’s market, or even plan a little “farm-to-table” cooking project with your kids. You can also discuss where food comes from and why the harvest season is so important.
2. Migration & Hibernation
September is the perfect time to talk about animals that are preparing for migration or hibernation. A bird-watching walk is a fantastic way to tie in observation and journaling skills.
3. Gratitude & Reflection
Even before Thanksgiving, fall can be a wonderful time to practice gratitude. Create a gratitude tree where kids add paper leaves each day with something they’re thankful for. This helps build emotional awareness and daily reflection habits.
4. Weather Changes
Start a daily weather chart where kids can track temperatures, rain, and cloud patterns. Discuss how the tilt of the Earth leads to cooler days. September’s transitional weather makes this topic engaging and relatable.
5. Seasonal Literature & Poetry
Introduce your kids to fall-themed poems, like Robert Frost’s “Nothing Gold Can Stay” or classic autumn picture books (The Little Scarecrow Boy, Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf). Poetry tea time with apple cider is one of my favorite cozy fall traditions.
How to Weave It All Together
You don’t need to cram every activity into a single week. Instead, pick one or two apple crafts, a leaf science project, and a September theme, and rotate them throughout the month. For example:
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Week 1: Apple printing & apple taste test (math + art)
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Week 2: Leaf identification walk & leaf rubbings (science + art)
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Week 3: Migration theme with bird journals (science + writing)
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Week 4: Gratitude tree project (emotional learning + creativity)
This way, you’re creating a rhythm that feels seasonal, educational, and—most importantly—manageable.
Why Kids Love Fall Homeschool Activities
Fall activities just have that magical balance of cozy + exciting. Kids love hands-on experiences, and when you tie learning into the world around them, it sticks so much better than just reading from a textbook. Plus, fall naturally engages the senses: the crunch of leaves, the smell of apples, the colors of the trees. All of that adds up to memories and learning that last.
And honestly? I love it just as much as my kids do. There’s something about slowing down, taking a walk together, collecting leaves, and sipping cider afterward that makes homeschooling in fall extra special.
Wrapping Up
Fall is the season of discovery, and homeschooling gives us the perfect chance to explore it all with our kids. From apple crafts that sneak in math and science, to leaf investigations that spark curiosity, to September themes that expand learning across subjects, the possibilities are endless.
So go ahead—grab a basket, head outside, and let the season guide your lessons. You’ll be amazed at how much your kids learn (and how much fun you have together).
👉 Which fall activity are you most excited to try with your kids?
Leave a comment below—I’d love to hear your favorite fall homeschool traditions and ideas! 🍁
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Thank you for reading my blog! Stay tuned for more tips, resources, and printable materials to help make your homeschooling experience enjoyable and effective. Check out my store for a variety of educational products and printables to assist you on your homeschooling journey.
~With love,
Nancy at Cleverly Kindred ❤️
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