Originally published September 2017. Updated August 2026.
September is a fun month for preschool activities because it brings together back-to-school routines, apples, early fall changes, and the beginning of pumpkin season. In my home daycare, I like to keep September plans flexible. Apples and simple getting-to-know-you activities work well early in the month, while leaves, acorns, harvest activities, and pumpkins can be added as the season begins to change.
This collection includes 30 hands-on September activities for preschoolers and toddlers. It was created with a group of fellow early childhood bloggers and includes art, sensory play, early math, literacy, science, fine-motor activities, and imaginative play.
The calendar includes one activity for each day of September. Activity 1 on the calendar matches activity 1 in the detailed list below, activity 2 matches activity 2, and so on through activity 30. You can follow the calendar in order or choose the numbered activities that work best for your group.
If you are planning the entire month, start with our September preschool themes for even more ideas.
How to Use the September Activity Calendar
Each number on the calendar corresponds with the same numbered activity and link below. Start with number 1 and work through the month, or simply choose an activity from the calendar and scroll to its matching number for the details.
The activities intentionally mix apples, fall art, sensory play, math, literacy, fine-motor practice, and pumpkins throughout the month. This gives preschoolers a variety of experiences without requiring you to plan an entirely new theme every week.
Many of these activities can be adapted for mixed-age groups. Toddlers may focus on scooping, pouring, painting, and exploring materials, while older preschoolers can add counting, letter recognition, patterns, predictions, or simple recording sheets. Always supervise young children closely when activities include small loose parts.
Free September Activity Calendar for Preschoolers
Save or print the September activity calendar for a quick planning reference. The detailed list immediately below follows the calendar’s exact 1–30 order.
September Activities
These activities match the September calendar above. They are a mix of art, math, sensory, and more for your preschoolers to enjoy.
1. Apple Math Activity Tray
Use apple manipulatives and dice for a simple apple math activity tray from And Next Comes L. Children can roll, count, compare groups, and practice one-to-one correspondence.
2. Textured Fall Tree Art
Paint with an unexpected material in this textured fall tree art activity from Crayon Box Chronicles. The printing process encourages experimentation with color and texture.
3. Counting and Adding Acorns
Use acorns or acorn-shaped manipulatives for counting and adding on the light table. Children can create groups, compare quantities, and explore early addition through hands-on play.
4. Alphabet Sensory Bottle
Create an alphabet sensory bottle from Preschool Inspirations. Invite children to find familiar letters, the first letter in their name, or a letter that matches a sound you say.
5. Little Red Hen Sensory Bin
Extend a familiar story with The Little Red Hen sensory bin from Fun-A-Day. Story-based sensory play encourages retelling, vocabulary, sequencing, and imaginative play.
6. Autumn Foliage Process Art
Use natural fall materials as painting tools for autumn foliage process art from Still Playing School. Children can compare the marks made by different objects.
7. Apple Volcano Science
Turn a real apple into an exciting apple volcano experiment from Frogs, Snails, and Puppy Dog Tails. This is a fun way to add observation, predictions, and a simple chemical reaction to your apple theme.
8. Apple Drop Counting Game
Practice counting and one-to-one correspondence with this apple counting activity from Stay At Home Educator. It is an easy hands-on choice for a preschool math center.
9. Fall Mason Jar Luminaries
Create colorful fall tree mason jar luminaries with tissue paper and simple craft materials. Use battery-operated lights when displaying them with young children.
10. Root Beer Float Playdough
Try root beer float playdough from Crayon Box Chronicles for a playful sensory activity. Children can scoop, roll, and create pretend treats while strengthening the small muscles in their hands.
11. Apple Sensory Soup
Add apples, water, and simple scooping tools to create apple sensory soup from And Next Comes L. Children can scoop, pour, sort, and count while they play.
12. Fall Leaves Busy Box
This fall leaves in-and-out activity from Still Playing School turns a simple container and fabric leaves into fine-motor play for toddlers and preschoolers.
13. Fall Alphabet Fine-Motor Practice
Combine letter formation with loose-parts play in this fall alphabet activity from Preschool Inspirations. Preschoolers can place fall gems along letter shapes while working on fine-motor control.
14. Apple Counting Books
Make an apple counting book from Fun-A-Day to combine early math with literacy. Children can count the apples on each page and practice reading the repeating text.
15. Apple-Scented Soda Dough
Bring the scent of apples into sensory play with apple-scented soda dough from Frogs, Snails, and Puppy Dog Tails. Add apple cutters, small rolling pins, or loose parts for open-ended play.
16. Fall Leaves on the Light Table
Bring colorful leaves to the light table for fall leaf exploration. Encourage children to sort, overlap, compare, and examine the shapes and colors.
17. Pom-Pom Splat Fall Tree Art
Drop paint-filled pom-poms onto paper to make pom-pom splat fall trees from Stay At Home Educator. This activity combines process art, fine-motor practice, and simple observations about force and movement.
18. Sticky Fall Tree on the Light Table
Use a sticky surface and fall materials to create a fall tree on the light table from And Next Comes L. Children can arrange and rearrange the pieces as they create.
19. Fall Spices and Sprinkles Painting
Add scent and texture to art with fall spices and sprinkles painting from Crayon Box Chronicles. Adjust or skip scented materials for children who are sensitive to strong smells.
20. Fall Counting Activities
Use seasonal manipulatives for these fall counting activities from Preschool Inspirations. The same materials can be used for counting, sorting, patterns, and comparing quantities.
21. Colorful Corn Mosaic
Use dyed popcorn kernels to create colorful corn mosaic art from Fun-A-Day. This activity offers plenty of fine-motor practice as children arrange and glue the small pieces.
22. Cardboard Tube Scarecrow Craft
Reuse a cardboard tube to make a scarecrow craft from Still Playing School. Add it to a farm, harvest, or fall dramatic-play setup.
23. Apple Cinnamon Playdough
This apple cinnamon playdough from Play to Learn Preschool is a simple way to add fall scents and fine-motor practice to your September plans.
24. Pumpkin Washing Sensory Bin
Small pumpkins, warm water, brushes, and sponges are all you need for a pumpkin washing sensory bin. It is easy to set up and encourages fine-motor skills and pretend play.
25. Paper Plate Fall Wreaths
Create paper plate fall wreaths from Stay At Home Educator. Offer a variety of fall-colored materials and let children make their own design choices.
26. Fall Harvest Buddies
Turn fall produce into playful characters with these fall harvest buddies from Fireflies and Mud Pies. This craft pairs well with conversations about gardens, farms, and where food comes from.
27. Fall Fine-Motor Cut-and-Glue Activities
Practice cutting, punching, and gluing with these fall fine-motor activities from LalyMom. Choose the tools and materials that match each child’s current skill level.
28. Potato-Print Fall Leaf Art
Turn a potato into a simple stamp for this fall leaf printing activity from How Wee Learn. Preschoolers can experiment with paint colors, overlapping prints, and patterns.
29. Paper Plate Apple Craft
Use basic craft supplies to make a paper plate apple from Wildflower Ramblings. Pair it with an apple book, taste test, or discussion about the parts of an apple.
30. Pumpkin Patch Small World
Create a pumpkin patch small world on a light table or regular tabletop. Children can count and sort pumpkins while creating stories with toy people and accessories.
More September Preschool Planning Ideas
You do not need elaborate materials or a brand-new activity every day to create a full month of learning. Repeat favorite songs, keep popular sensory materials available for several days, and change only one or two parts of a familiar activity. Repetition gives preschoolers time to build confidence, develop new ideas, and practice skills without feeling rushed.
- Browse more fall activities for kids.
- Choose from these September preschool themes.
- Add music and movement with these apple songs and fingerplays.
- Make our apple pie playdough for fall sensory play.
- Practice early math with the free Fall Number Match printable or this pumpkin counting activity.
- Explore our fall preschool lesson plans.
Activities Beyond September
Looking for a different month of activities? Find our other free monthly kids activity planners here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are good preschool themes for September?
Good September themes for preschool include All About Me, friendship, classroom routines, apples, the five senses, leaves and trees, fall, community helpers, farms, and pumpkins. Choose themes that match what children are currently noticing and experiencing.
What skills can preschoolers practice with September activities?
September activities can support counting, number recognition, letter recognition, vocabulary, fine-motor development, sensory exploration, observation, prediction, creativity, and social skills. A single hands-on activity often supports several areas of learning at the same time.
Do I need to do the activities in order or do one every day?
No. The calendar is meant to make planning easier, not create more pressure. Use one idea each day, choose a few activities each week, or repeat the activities your children enjoy most.
Which of these September activities would your preschoolers enjoy first?
Looking for more in-depth preschool lesson plans? Take a look at our YEAR-long bundle of hands-on preschool lesson plans. Don’t need a whole year? Try our fall lesson plans or one of the other 20 preschool themes.
Looking for more crafts and activities? Check out our index for 100+ kids’ activities! Find activities by theme, materials, skills, age, and much more!