Simple Activities to Do with Your Daycare Group in September

September is the perfect month to dive into fresh routines, embrace the cooler weather, and enjoy the changing seasons with your daycare group. You don’t need to spend a lot of money to create fun, engaging, and educational activities for little ones. With a mix of outdoor play, creative crafts, and simple group games, you can make September memorable without breaking the bank.

Here are some easy, cheap (or even free!) activities you can try with your daycare kids this fall:

Outdoor Adventures

Spending time outside in September is a great way to soak up the last bit of warmth before winter arrives.

• Nature Scavenger Hunt – Collect leaves, acorns, pinecones, or rocks while exploring your neighborhood or local park.
• Cloud Watching – Lay out a blanket and see what shapes the kids can find in the sky.
• Leaf Pile Fun – Rake leaves together and let the kids jump and play in the pile.
• Chalk Art Gallery – Hand out chalk and let the kids turn the sidewalk into their own outdoor museum.

Simple Arts & Crafts

Crafts don’t have to be expensive—many can be done with household items, recycled materials, or dollar-store supplies.

• Leaf Rubbings – Place leaves under paper and rub crayons overtop to reveal patterns.
• Paper Bag Puppets – Use markers, googly eyes, and scraps to create fun characters.
• Nature Collages – Glue items collected during outdoor play onto cardboard.
• Apple Stamping – Cut apples in half, dip in paint, and stamp onto paper.

👉 Check out some fun fall craft ideas here: https://www.funkyfrugalmommy.com/2022/10/super-easy-fall-crafts-for-toddlers.html?m=1

Learning Through Play

Incorporating learning into play helps daycare kids develop essential skills while having fun.

• Alphabet Hopscotch – Write letters in hopscotch squares instead of numbers.
• Counting with Nature – Count acorns, leaves, or sticks during outdoor play.
• Story Time Circle – Read seasonal books about apples, school, or autumn.
• Sing-Along Sessions – Teach simple fall-themed songs or rhymes.

👉 For more learning crafts, visit: https://www.funkyfrugalmommy.com/2023/11/fun-and-creative-fall-crafts-for-whole.html?m=1

Fun (and Free!) Group Games

Kids love games, and you don’t need fancy toys to keep them entertained.

• Duck, Duck, Goose – A timeless classic that requires no supplies.
• Simon Says – Perfect for practicing listening skills.
• Freeze Dance – Play music and stop it randomly—kids must freeze in place.
• Red Light, Green Light – Great for outdoor play and energy release.

👉 Try adding seasonal crafts after playtime: https://www.funkyfrugalmommy.com/2021/10/fall-has-officially-arrived.html?m=1

Final Thoughts

Daycare activities in September don’t have to be complicated or costly. With a mix of outdoor adventures, creative crafts, learning activities, and group games, you can keep your little ones busy, happy, and engaged all month long. The best part? Most of these activities are either free or use supplies you already have on hand!