Five ideas for playing games in the woods in autumn

Kids

Zwei Kinder, eines hält einen Eierkanton gefüllt mit Tannzapfen und Blätter in der Hand.

Published on: 21.10.2021Updated on: 13.06.2024

The colourful autumn season offers some wonderful natural treats to make things with or play with. We’ve put together five of our favourite outdoor games and DIY ideas for autumn.

Each autumn, the leaves on the trees burst into beautiful colours, the sky shines blue and the toadstools in their white dotted coats shoot out of the forest floor as if by magic – it all seems a minor miracle. Even if the fog is a bit thicker and a light jacket no longer cuts it in the morning, autumn offers so many ideas to let off steam creatively. And the best thing is, all you have to do is go out and keep your eyes open. Come along!

Ein Mandala gelegt im Wald mit Tannzapfen, Stöckchen und Fichtennadeln. — Photo © Martin Barth

Laying mandalas

When out walking through nature, collect as many beautiful natural objects as possible, such as colourful leaves, rose hips, nuts, moss or sticks. Once you’ve collected enough autumn materials, sit down somewhere undisturbed and arrange what you have found in a circle on the floor. This will create all kinds of mandalas. People who come across your miniature work of art in the forest or by the side of the road are sure to be delighted.

Ein Junge mit einer gelben Mütze steht im Wald. Die Blätter der Bäume sind bereits herbstlich verfärbt. — Photo © Somara Frick

Chestnut memory

Most children (and adults, too) love collecting chestnuts in autumn. The chestnut memory simply requires an even number of pieces. Think ahead about how many different colours you have available. The game is simple: paint two chestnuts with the same colour in the light area. Let them dry and then get started. Whoever has the most pairs wins.

Zwei Kinder im Wald, sie machen mit getrocknetem Laub eine Laubschlacht. — Photo © Reima

Leaf bath

One of the simplest game ideas for autumn: the leaf bath. Everyone can pitch in. The aim is to collect as many dry leaves as possible and form a pile. If you prefer to play the game in the garden, you can also use an emptied swimming pool and fill it up. Then comes the best part: jumping into the leaf pool! It’s fantastic how it crackles and rustles – a bit like hedgehogs before they go into hibernation.

Ein Kind rührt in einem Kübel eine Schlammsuppe an. — Photo © Martin Barth

Brewing mud soups and magic potions

Armed with a pot, bucket and shovel, you set off. There are hardly any rules to the game. The main thing is to dress up warm and have some water ready or, preferably, sit right next to a body of water. Now it’s time to brew and mix. Mud, stones, berries, sand, moss and grasses. Sticks from the forest are used for stirring. Why not invent your own druid spell?

Drei Kinder gehen durch den Wald. — Photo © Nicolas Hafner

Leaf stamps

Fortunately, children never tire of collecting things. For this craft idea, you’ll also collect autumn leaves in different shapes and sizes. Make sure the leaves aren’t too dry, otherwise the paint won’t stick. Now paint the leaves with watercolours and press them against packing paper (ideal as wrapping paper) or on white paper. If you like, draw funny faces on the resulting shapes.

And if hunger sets in, hopefully the nearest fireplace is not far away. How about an apple tart baked over the fire, for example? You could also carve the cutlery for it yourself.