Acorn fine motor activities for math, science, art, literacy, sensory play, play and more! We love collecting acorns in the fall on nature hikes. Acorns are a fun, free fall-themed manipulative for encouraging fine motor skills while having fun exploring nature. It’s a great way to combine a little science, math, and fine motor work in one activity. Make a craft, paint a picture, and add a favorite book for fall like Earl the Squirrel and you have the perfect early childhood lesson plan! Fall early learning ideas are the best!
FALL ACORN FINE MOTOR ACTIVITIES FOR MATH, SCIENCE, LITERACY, & ART
Simple Ideas for Fall Learning Activities Using real Acorns!
A Sunday morning nature walk up to a beautiful mountain top produced a collection of acorns, carefully gathered, by my young scientist as we hiked along, perfect for a few simple fine motor, science, math, and sensory activities. Lately, we have been enjoying simple hands-on activities with a few early learning angles that reinforce concepts we have already learned. I have also handpicked a few more fun acorn activities for you to try out this fall!
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ACORN FINE MOTOR ACTIVITIES FOR MATH AND SCIENCE
Now we all know that little insects can live in acorns and it might be okay or not okay for you depending on your activity. I found a step by step article on prepping acorns for crafts and projects. This might be especially helpful if you are planning to add acorns to sensory bins.
Looking for easy to print activities, and inexpensive problem-based challenges?
We have you covered…
Click below to get your quick and easy STEM challenges.
YOU WILL NEED:
The supplies listed below are for our acorn activities that encourage fine motor, math, and science skills. You will find links and pictures for more fun ideas to do with your acorns below.
- acorns
- muffin tin
- nutcracker
- tweezers
- magnifying glass
- bowl of water
- mini strainer
MATH GAMES AND FINE MOTOR SKILLS WITH ACORNS
We practiced simple transferring and one to one counting skills with our little pile of acorns. I asked him questions like how many more acorns do you need and how many acorns are left? Basic counting skills with a bit of problem-solving (how many are left= count empty sections) as well as fine motor practice.
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This handy little wooden nutcracker has provided us many opportunities for hand strengthening. He just loves to crack whole nuts! I thought it would be a great discovery and exploration science activity with the acorns to see what was inside them.
He worked hard to crack many acorns and each one held a different surprise including a tiny worm! See above if you don’t want to find tiny worms.
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SINK AND FLOAT SCIENCE WITH ACORNS
We do love science as well as sensory play and all young scientists use fine motor skills for experiments! This also makes for simple water sensory play and the sieve is an easy fine motor tool.
YOU MIGHT ALSO WANT TO CHECK OUT: Fall Science Activities for Young Kids
Nature makes for wonderful, hands-0n, fine motor play! Take a walk with your child and gather everything you need while enjoying the wonderful fall season outdoors together! What else can you do with acorns? Check out the ideas below by clicking on photos or links. You can also make ACORN PAINTINGS or ACORN BELLS!
MORE WAYS TO PLAY WITH ACORNS
ADD ACORNS TO A SENSORY BIN AND ENJOY A FALL BOOK!
Looking for easy to print activities, and inexpensive problem-based challenges?
We have you covered…
Click below to get your quick and easy STEM challenges.
Easy Fall Tree Activity from Powerful Mothering
Fine Motor Light Table Play with Ice Cube Trays from And Next Comes L
3 Cup Twisting Fine Motor Games from Lalymom
Fine Motor Autumn Leaves Sorting from Still Playing School
Ten Frame Math Activity with Duplo {Free Printable Sheets}
Laura @ Lalymom
That nutcracker is awesome!! What a fun activity!
Still Playing School
Oh, I like how you included a strainer!
Sat Hari
I love the nutcracker cup. Would you be willing to share where I might buy one? Thank you for all of your posts! Love the ideas!
Erik
So you throw on in water.. it floats.. you break one open, you can’t eat it .. you zoom in with magnifying glass and you’re done. You’re better off leaving the kid under the tree where you found the acorns,let it try to climb it.. get hands dirty with leaves and trow acorns at another kid… it’ll have alot more fun without these ‘tools’. Sorry but by doing this you’re limiting your kids imagination and will to explore.
Ani pat
love all the presentation. am interested in buying one.
littlebins
Just grab yourself a muffin tin and some acorns!