10 Fall Science Activities to Try in Your Homeschool

Fall is hands-down one of my favorite seasons for homeschooling. The weather cools down, the colors change, and suddenly the world outside becomes a classroom waiting to be explored. As a homeschooling mom, I’m always looking for ways to make learning fun, meaningful, and hands-on—especially when it comes to science. And let’s be honest, sometimes we need activities that don’t feel like a ton of extra prep but still engage our kids and spark curiosity.

That’s why I put together this list of 10 Fall Science Activities you can try right away in your homeschool. These activities are perfect for all ages, easy to adapt, and don’t require you to buy a bunch of expensive supplies. Whether you’re looking for a quick experiment to break up the school day or a deeper project that can turn into a week-long study, this list has you covered.

So, grab your kids, step outside (or stay cozy inside), and let’s make science learning exciting this fall.

1. Leaf Chromatography – Discover the Hidden Colors of Fall Leaves

Leaves are the stars of the season, but have your kids ever wondered why they change colors? With leaf chromatography, you can show them the science behind it.

What you need:

Coffee filters or paper towels
Rubbing alcohol
Jars or cups
Fresh fall leaves

How to do it:

Crush leaves and place them in a jar.
Pour a small amount of rubbing alcohol over them.
Place a strip of coffee filter into the jar so one end is in the liquid.
Watch as the pigments separate up the strip over time.

This activity reveals the hidden pigments—like carotenoids and anthocyanins—that give leaves their fall colors. Kids learn not just that leaves turn orange, yellow, and red, but why!

Homeschool Tip: Extend this into a mini science project by comparing different types of leaves and recording which pigments show up most.

2. Pumpkin Volcano – A Fall Twist on the Classic Eruption

If your kids love baking soda and vinegar experiments, why not take it up a notch and make a pumpkin volcano?

What you need:

Small pumpkin
Baking soda
Vinegar
Food coloring (optional but fun)

How to do it:

Hollow out the top of a pumpkin like you would for carving.
Add a few scoops of baking soda inside.
Pour in vinegar (with food coloring if you want extra fun).
Watch it bubble and fizz like a real volcano!

This activity demonstrates chemical reactions in the most festive way possible.

Homeschool Tip: Use this as a starting point to explain acids and bases, then let your kids experiment with adding soap, glitter, or different amounts of vinegar.

3. Acorn Science – Germination in Action

Acorns are everywhere in the fall, and they make a fantastic hands-on science activity. Kids can learn about seed germination by collecting acorns and trying to sprout them.

How to do it:

Collect several acorns (look for ones without holes).
Place them in a clear container with moist paper towels.
Keep them damp and observe over a couple of weeks.

This activity teaches kids about plant life cycles and what seeds need to grow.

Homeschool Tip: If you’re up for a longer project, plant sprouted acorns in soil and track their growth all season long.

4. Weather Watch – Tracking Fall Changes

Fall is the perfect time to study weather patterns. Have your kids create a simple weather journal to record daily temperature, wind, and rainfall.

Ideas to include:

Measure rainfall using a homemade rain gauge (just cut a plastic bottle).
Track sunrise and sunset times to notice shorter days.
Graph weekly temperatures to see the seasonal shift.

This not only builds observation skills but also integrates math and graphing into science.

5. Apple Oxidation Experiment

Apples are a fall staple, but they’re also a great way to teach about oxidation.

How to do it:

Slice an apple into pieces.
Leave one piece plain.
Dip others in lemon juice, salt water, or vinegar.
Observe which slice browns the fastest and which stays freshest.

Kids get a visual lesson on chemical reactions and how acids can slow oxidation.

Homeschool Tip: Turn this into a taste test and let your kids guess which treatment worked best before checking the results.

6. Leaf Identification & Classification

Take a nature walk and collect as many different leaves as you can find. Then, bring them home and work on classification skills.

Ideas for learning:

Sort leaves by shape, color, or tree type.
Use a field guide or app to identify tree species.
Create a leaf rubbing journal with crayons and paper.

This blends botany and art, making it perfect for kids who enjoy creative projects.

7. Shadow Tracking with Pumpkins

As fall days get shorter, shadows grow longer. Use a pumpkin (or even just a stick) to track the sun’s movement.

How to do it:

Place a pumpkin in a sunny spot.
Mark where its shadow falls every hour.
Repeat over several days to notice the seasonal change.

This simple activity introduces kids to astronomy concepts like Earth’s rotation and the tilt that gives us seasons.

8. Composting with Fall Leaves

If you’ve got piles of fallen leaves, put them to use in a mini composting project. Kids can learn how organic matter breaks down into rich soil.

How to do it:

Gather leaves, kitchen scraps (like fruit peels), and grass clippings.
Layer them in a bin or pile.
Observe weekly how the materials change.

This hands-on activity introduces decomposition, bacteria, and ecosystems in a real-life way.

9. Bird Migration Study

Fall is prime migration season, making it a perfect time to study animal behavior.

Ideas for learning:

Keep a bird-watching log.
Research which species migrate from your area.
Track their journey on a map for geography integration.

Kids will be amazed at how far some birds travel and how they know where to go.

10. Candy Corn STEM Challenge

Yes, candy corn can actually be educational! Use it for a STEM building challenge.

How to do it:

Give your kids toothpicks and candy corn.
Challenge them to build towers, bridges, or geometric shapes.

This teaches engineering, problem-solving, and geometry in a playful, seasonal way.

Why Fall Science Activities Work So Well

Fall naturally lends itself to curiosity. The changes in weather, plants, and animal behavior give us endless opportunities to connect learning with real life. For homeschool parents, this solves one of the biggest struggles: keeping science engaging without spending hours prepping.

These activities require minimal supplies, can be adapted for multiple ages, and help your kids truly understand science concepts by seeing them in action.

Final Thoughts

Homeschooling during fall doesn’t have to feel like a grind. With activities like leaf chromatography, pumpkin volcanoes, and bird migration studies, you can take advantage of the season to spark excitement and wonder in your homeschool.

If you’ve ever felt stuck with science or worried that your kids aren’t “getting enough,” try a few of these ideas. I promise, once you start weaving in hands-on, seasonal activities, science will go from something your kids “have to do” to something they actually look forward to.

Your Turn: Which of these fall science activities are you most excited to try? Do you have a favorite fall experiment that your kids love? Leave a comment below—I’d love to hear your ideas!

If you found this post helpful, be sure to save it for later and share it with other homeschooling parents. And don’t forget to subscribe for more homeschool ideas, printables, and seasonal learning inspiration delivered right to your inbox.

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