Fall & Pumpkins Baby Storytime
Pumpkins, leaves, and Halloween, oh my! Choose one of the following fall-themed baby storytime books and pair it with a couple of these songs and playtime ideas for more engagement and fun in your next Baby Storytime. I recommend repeating many of your rhymes and movement songs each week (repetition is key for cognitive development!), but sprinkling in new thematic songs and activities will keep things fresh and exciting. Visit The Youth Desk’s Baby Storytime page for more detailed guidance.
Baby Storytime Books About Fall & Pumpkins
Fall Baby Storytime Movement Songs
Here are my favorite fall-themed movement songs for babies. Encourage caregivers to gently move their baby’s hands, arms, etc.
Leaves Are Falling Down
Sing to the tune of “London Bridge”
Little leaves are falling down (rain your hands down to the ground or down baby’s back)
Falling down
Falling down
Little leaves are falling down
All through the town
Little leaves are spinning round… (draw circles on baby’s back or spin baby around)
Little leaves are fun to toss…(take baby’s hands and lift them up high or lift baby)
Blowing in the Wind Scarf Song by Stephanie Leavell
I love this song for both Baby and Sensory Storytimes. Stephanie Leavell is one of my favorite musicians for kids, offering a variety of great storytime songs available via Amazon Music and other streaming services. “Blowing in the Wind” is featured on her album Fall Songs for Kids.
Blowing in the wind, blowing in the wind
My scarf is blowing in the wind
Falling down, falling down
With a woosh and plop
Dancing in the wind, dancing in the wind
My scarf is dancing in the wind
Falling down, falling down
With a woosh and plop
It’s time to sneak, put it in a ball
Make it so, tiny and small
It’s time to sneak, put it in a ball
Now ready, set, throw!
The Apple Tree
Place three flannel apples on a board and take them down when appropriate.
Way up high in the apple tree (lift baby into the air)
Three little apples smiled at me (smile at baby)
I shook that tree just as hard as I could (lower baby to lap and sway side to side)
And down came an apple! (remove apple from board and “drop” baby between knees or do a big bounce with baby)
Mmmmm… was it good! (rub baby’s belly & kiss baby)
How many apples are left? Two!
Way up high in the apple tree (lift baby into air)
2 little apples smiled at me…
Five Little Pumpkins
Like The Apple Tree, use your fingers to count down from five or place five flannel pumpkins on a board.
Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate
The first one said, “Oh, my, it’s getting late!”
The second one said, “There are witches in the air!”
The third one said, “But we don’t care.”
The fourth one said, “Let’s run and run and run.”
The fifth one said, “I’m ready for some fun.”
Then OOOOOO went the wind and OUT went the light,
And five little pumpkins rolled out of sight
Brown Bat, Brown Bat What Do You See?
Use flannel cutouts or puppets to bring this fall version of “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?” by Bill Martin Jr. Add a couple Halloween characters if ya like, too.
Brown Bat, Brown Bat, What do you see?
I see a Black Cat looking at me! (Place black cat flannel on board or pull out black cat puppet)
Black Cat, Black Cat
What do you see?
I see a…
Orange Pumpkin…Grey Owl…Yellow Moon…
Fall Baby Playtime
Ending storytime with free play is an excellent way for babies and caregivers to socialize and observe others. You don’t need anything fancy. Simply setting out blocks, musical instruments, or bean bags would suffice, but here are some fall-themed ideas to further enhance your program.
Pumpkin Sensory Bags
A classic Baby Storytime activity! Fill a ziploc bag with pumpkin guts and any seasonal trinkets you’ve got. Duct tape the ziploc section shut to ensure those wily little hands don’t find a way to open it. Set out a few bags for littles to mush and poke.
Autumn Leaves Bin
Fill a bin with mini pumpkins, gourds, apples, fake or real leaves, sunflowers, pinecones, and any autumn trinkets you’ve got. Caregivers can discuss the shapes, colors, and textures of the items as kids explore.
