October play ideas: Easy, fun activities to try with your kids
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October has a way of stirring something in me.
Maybe it’s the shift in the air, or the quiet reminder that time is moving faster than I’d like.
The days grow shorter, the routines more settled, and in the middle of it all, I catch myself watching my kids play and wondering: How many more autumns will feel like this?
Not in a heavy way – just in that quiet, honest way motherhood sometimes hits you.
This season doesn’t ask us to do more. It invites us to notice more. The leaves. The giggles. The small windows of connection tucked between school runs and dinner prep.
If you’re craving simple, meaningful ways to slow down and soak it all in, this list is for you.
No pressure, no perfection – just a handful of easy ideas to help you turn ordinary October moments into playful memories your kids will carry with them.
October play ideas: Easy activities to try with your kids this month
Each month, you’ll get four easy ideas:
- one for independent play (because sometimes we just need five minutes of quiet)
- one for connecting with your kids
- one for creative fun
- one for quality family time.
Think of it as a little toolkit for bringing more joy and connection into your days, without adding extra work.
These aren’t just activities; they’re simple, playful moments you can easily try throughout the month, no matter how busy life gets.
PLAY: Nature treasures
This simple activity turns an ordinary walk into a treasure hunt, encouraging kids to collect colorful leaves, acorns, and other fall finds.
Materials
- cardboard
- contact paper
- tape
- paper bag
Instructions
- Cut out a piece of contact paper big enough to cover the cardboard.
- Tape the contact paper on top of the cardboard with the sticky side up.
- Invite the kids to use the sticky cardboard and a small paper bag to collect “little treasures” during a nature walk.
Use the sticky cardboard to collect leaves and the bag to gather nature items like acorns or chestnuts.
CONNECT: Guess and draw game
This playful guessing game adds a touch of mystery and excitement to ordinary objects, turning them into a challenge for curious little hands.
Materials
- game template
- small fabric bag
- small items to hide in the bag
Instructions
- Create the game template by drawing 6 small squares for each round of the game. You will need one game template for each player. (Check the picture to see what the template looks like.)
- Invite the kids to play a guessing game and take turns hiding items for the other players to guess.
- On each round, one player hides six items inside a small fabric bag. The other players take turns putting their hand inside the bag and trying to guess the objects by touching them (without looking inside or taking them out).
- After all the players have their turn touching the objects, they have 2 minutes to draw the six items on each of the squares on the paper. When the time is up, check to see how many items every player guessed.
Helpful tip: You can make this game easier for young kids by hiding only 3 items inside the bag.
CREATE: Cardboard birds
This fun craft is all about turning simple materials into colorful, whimsical birds – no rules, no pressure, just a chance to get creative.
Materials
- cardboard
- paint
- crayons (or oil pastels)
- glue
- craft feathers
- colored paper
Instructions
- To prepare the activity, cut some bird shapes and wing shapes out of cardboard.
- Then, prepare a tray with supplies for the kids to use to create their birds: paint, craft feathers, crayons, glue, and a few pieces of colored paper (for the legs and any other details).
- Invite the kids to create cardboard birds.
Bonus:
Ready to bring more joy and calm to your October? The Playful Moments Together guide is filled with ideas you’ll love! Grab it here.
FAMILY FUN: Let the kids choose
Want to shake things up and make family time even more fun?
Let the kids take charge for a day! Give them the freedom to plan the activities, set the schedule, and even manage a small budget if you’d like to add an extra challenge.
Whether they choose a picnic in the living room, a homemade obstacle course, or a movie night with popcorn and pajamas, their creativity will shine – and you might just be surprised by their choices!
More ways to bring joy to your October
Want even more ideas? Here are two fantastic resources to help you create happy moments with your kids — without extra stress.
- 25 Days of Play and Connection [poster]
Looking for quick, easy ideas to make your days more playful?
- 25 simple activities that spark creativity & connection
- Perfect for busy days when you need an instant idea
⭐ Download your free poster here and keep it handy for when you need fresh ideas.
- The Playful Moments Together guide
Want to take the guesswork out of connecting with your kids?
The Playful Moments Together Guide gives you 25 engaging activities to help you spark creativity, encourage connection, and bring more joy to your days.
Includes printable activity cards — so you can build a go-to collection of fun ideas your kids will love!
⭐ Get the Playful Moments Together guide and make the most of this month together.
Bring more joy and connection to your month with playful moments your kids will love.
With easy, creative ideas, Playful Moments Together will help you make the days with your little ones a little easier and a lot more fun.
Both resources are here to help you enjoy meaningful moments with your kids without adding extra stress to your day.
I’d love to hear which activities you try and how they bring joy to your home!
