leaf stained glass
Lay down several layers of newspaper on a flat surface. On a large sheet of wax paper, let you child arrange pressed leaves in a design or pattern. Place another sheet of wax paper over this. Iron the layers together with an iron set on low. Trim the edges and hang in a window.
Here’s three rhyming games for younger kids:
Autumn
Autumn winds begin to blow (blow)
Colored leaves fall fast and slow (make fast and slow motions with hands)
Twirling, whirling around in mirth(twirl around)
‘Til at last, they touch our Mother Earth (touch ground)
This is the Way We
This is the way we rake the leaves rake the leaves, rake the leaves
This is the way we rake the leaves in the middle of Autumn.
This is the way we jump on the leaves, jump on the leaves, jump on the leaves
This is the way we jump on the leaves in the middle of Autumn.
This is the way we throw the leaves Throw the leaves, throw the leaves
This is the way we throw the leaves in the middle of Autumn.
This is the way we rake the leaves rake the leaves, rake the leaves
This is the way we rake the leaves in the middle of autumn.
Leaves
Little leaves fall gently down
Red and yellow, orange and brown. (flutter hands like leaves falling)
Whirling, whirling around and around. (turn around)
Quietly, without a sound. (put finger to lips)
Falling softly to the ground (begin to fall slowly)
Down and down and down and down. (lie on ground)
~~~
apple crafts
The first weekend of October is apple festival time in Lincoln, Arkansas! Though apples are usually in season for us here by Autumn Equinox, apple crafts are great for either an Autumn Equinox or Samhain activity.
Apple prints- cut open an apple horizontally to reveal the star pattern made by the seeds. This can be dipped in paint and used as an art stamp. Dried apple garlands/wreaths- slice apples ¼ inch wide, soak in 1 cup of lemon juice and 1 tablespoon salt for 2 hours. Dry on a cookie rack in a 200 degree oven for 2 or three hours. Let cool. Poke a hole in the edge of each to string onto ribbon to make a garland, or glue onto a cardboard circle to make a wreath. You could even try making apple dolls with the instructions at appledolls.org.
Cornhusk Shuttlecock Games
To play this game, you will need a pokean- a shuttlecock made of corn husks and feathers. Gather together a few corn husks, some twine, and three large feathers. Lay two large husks on a flat surface in the shape of a sun cross. Fold a third husk into a square and place it in the center of the cross. Fold the ends of the husks up over the center and tie with the twine. Stick the ends of the feathers into the top of the pokean. One simple way to play is to see who can toss the pokean into the air the most times in a row with the palm of the hand. More games and an illustration on the pokean can be found on the nativetech website.
Here are some nice picture books about the Autumn Equinox and harvest celebrations around the world. (I found them at my local library.)
We Gather Together by Wendy Pfeffer
The Autumn Equinox by Ellen Jackson
Another fun little thing is this autumn kaleidoscope.
See my previous Autumn Equinox activites page for more.
For more Summer Solstice fun, see Kids’ Activities for Midsummer / Summer Solstice.
Ozark Pagan Mamma 