Falling Into Learning: Simple & Fun Homeschool Ideas for Kids

Fall has quickly become one of my favorite times of the year to homeschool — maybe even more so now that we’re not in Alaska anymore. For the last five years, fall felt like it came and went in the blink of an eye. The leaves would change, the air would crisp up, and then before we knew it, snow had taken over. There wasn’t much time to soak in the season, and I always felt like we missed out on the fall activities I saw other families enjoying.

This year feels different. We finally get to slow down and enjoy a longer autumn, and I can’t wait to lean into all the seasonal learning opportunities that we just haven’t been able to do before.

For my kids, fall learning often starts with nature. We love just being outside in the crisp cooler air. Back in Alaska, those colorful leaves were gone almost as soon as they appeared, so being able to take our time and really enjoy them feels special. At home, we’ll press leaves and flowers into books, make rubbings with crayons, or sort them by size and color. Even my four-year-old gets into it, and it sneaks in a little science without feeling like “school.” A trip to the pumpkin patch is another thing we’re excited about, because that wasn’t always an option up north. Counting pumpkins, comparing sizes, and talking about shapes will make it feel like math disguised as fun.

For my preschooler, fall activities are all about hands-on play. Pumpkin playdough, apple stamping crafts, and messy sorting games with leaves and pinecones keep him engaged. Everything at this age is learning through play, and now we have so many new options that weren’t possible in Alaska’s short season.

With my eight-year-old, fall fits right into her regular lessons. Journal prompts about the changing season, reading fall-themed picture books, and science lessons about why leaves change color all make learning feel fresh. She’s also excited to help in the garden as we wrap things up before winter. That connection to the outdoors feels new and exciting, because back in Alaska our garden season was so short-lived.

And of course, one of the best parts of fall is the kitchen. We’re diving into pumpkin muffins, apple crisp, and all the cozy recipes we’ve been waiting to try. Cooking with the kids means reading recipes, measuring ingredients, and practicing patience — but it also means making the kind of memories we didn’t have time for when fall was cut short by snow.

This year feels like a gift. After years of rushing through autumn, we finally get to enjoy the slower pace of a real fall, and it’s adding so much richness to our homeschool days. Learning doesn’t have to be complicated — sometimes it’s just a walk in the crisp air, a messy craft at the kitchen table, or a warm treat fresh from the oven. These are the moments I’ll be holding onto as we savor our first full fall season together.