Our October Nature Study & FREE Guide Will Give You Tons of Inspiration!
October is a time of vibrant transformation, and there’s no better way to experience it than by observing the changes all around us. In our October Nature Guide: Observing Autumn Foliage and Animal Behaviors, you and your children will embark on a journey through the magic of fall.
This guide is designed to help your family slow down and witness the wonders of the season—from the brilliant colors of autumn leaves to the fascinating ways animals prepare for winter. Whether you’re in the woods, a park, or your own backyard, you’ll be able to explore the science behind leaf changes, track migrating birds, and spot animals gathering food for the colder months ahead.
Packed with engaging activities and thoughtful prompts, this guide will help you make the most of autumn’s natural classroom. You’ll create lasting memories while teaching your children to appreciate the rhythms of nature.
Celebrate the beauty of fall and observe nature’s transformations together with your family. Grab your October Nature Guide and get ready to enjoy the season to the fullest!
Suggested Activities for October Nature Study:
The following prompts are designed to encourage exploration, observation, and creativity while helping kids and teens learn about autumnal changes, even in urban environments:
1. Leaf Color Walk: Take a walk and collect different colored leaves. Sort them by color and create a leaf rainbow.
2. Tree Identification: Identify and document different tree species based on their autumn leaves. Sketch or photograph the leaves.
3. Nature Journal Entry: Write a journal entry describing the changes you see in your surroundings as autumn progresses.
4. Animal Behavior Observation: Observe local animals and note any changes in their behavior as they prepare for winter.
5. Leaf Rubbings: Collect fallen leaves and create leaf rubbings using crayons and paper. Notice the different textures and patterns.
6. Bird Migration Watch: Research which birds are migrating in your area. Keep an eye out for flocks flying south
7. Build a Weather Station: Construct a simple weather station using a thermometer, rain gauge, and wind vane. Record daily weather changes.
8. Acorn Collection: Collect acorns and examine their different shapes and sizes. Discuss their role in the ecosystem.
9. Autumn Scavenger Hunt: Create a list of autumn-related items (e.g., acorns, red leaves, pinecones) and go on a scavenger hunt to find them.
10. Leaf Identification Chart: Create a chart identifying the different types of leaves you’ve collected, noting their shape, color, and size.
Want More Nature Activities, Crafts, and Scavenger Hunt Ideas?
Sign up to below to download our FREE October Nature Guide PDF!
Each Nature Guide contains:
- A Monthly Theme
- Corresponding Lessons for Handbook of Nature Study, by Anna Botsford Comstock
- A Recommended Reading List
- Suggested Activities
- Nature Journal Prompts
- Nature Craft Ideas
- Nature Poetry Selections
- Scavenger Hunt (or Photo Snap List for Older Kids & Teens)
- Nature Notebooking Page
- Nature Notes Page
Add These Art Courses to Your Autumn Changes Nature Study:
For a well-rounded nature study, check out Heather Woodie’s Nature Journaling series from the Masterpiece Society. Purchase the complete set or individual courses. You can also see how Alisha creates a nature journaling page from the nature cards in our Charlotte Mason Morning Time sessions here.
For younger kids who might not be able to do nature journaling yet, why not add in Alisha’s Watercolor Whimsies: Autumn Edition course for super fun art lessons?
Check Out These Videos for Nature Study Inspiration:
Create your own backyard weather station:
Make a leaf rubbing while identifying different leaves and their various parts:
Craft this beautiful leaf garland during your next tea time:
Learn how to identify wild mushrooms & why it’s important:
Add These Books to Your Nature Study:
Pick up some of these books from your local library to add to your October nature study, or grab them off Amazon to add to your family library’s permanent collection!
Picture Books
Autumn Story: Introduce children to the seasons in the gorgeously illustrated classics of Brambly Hedge!
Hello Autumn!The Sounds of Autumn: A Fun Fall Book for KidsWhat Can You See in Fall? (Seasons)Fall (Seasons: Acorn)Awesome Autumn: All Kinds of Fall Facts and Fun (Season Facts and Fun)Fall Weather: Cooler Temperatures (Cloverleaf Books ™ ― Fall’s Here!)Hello, Harvest MoonLeaves in Fall (Bullfrog Books: What Happens in Fall?)Fletcher and the Falling Leaves: A Fall Book for KidsWhy Do Leaves Change Color? (Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2)The Last LeafBecause of an Acorn: (Nature Autumn Books for Children, Picture Books about Acorn Trees) (NRDC)Apples in Fall (Bullfrog Books: What Happens in Fall?)Apples for Everyone (Picture the Seasons)How Do Apples Grow?Apples, Apples Everywhere!: Learning About Apple Harvests (Autumn)Johnny Appleseed: The Legend and the TruthApples to Oregon: Being the (Slightly) True Narrative of How a Brave Pioneer Father Brought Apples, Peaches, Pears, Plums, Grapes, and Cherries (and Children) Across the PlainsApple Picking TimePumpkins in Fall (Bullfrog Books: What Happens in Fall?)Seed, Sprout, Pumpkin, Pie (Picture the Seasons)Too Many PumpkinsWe Gather Together: Celebrating the Harvest SeasonThe Pumpkin RunnerThe Vanishing Pumpkin
Elementary, Middle & High School
Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees: Eastern RegionNational Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees: Western Region (National Audubon Society Field Guides)Trees of North America: A Guide to Field Identification, Revised and Updated (Golden Field Guide from St. Martin’s Press)National Audubon Society Mushrooms of North America (National Audubon Society Complete Guides)Mushrooms: How to Identify and Gather Wild Mushrooms and Other FungiMushrooming Without Fear: The Beginner’s Guide to Collecting Safe and Delicious Mushrooms
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