Halloween and Autumn

We played a leaf toss game. The kids LOVED this. I had to edit out some faces, but tried to leave a few smiles, because you can see the joy on their faces. 

We gathered up silk leaves and placed them on a sheet. Then had the kids all grab and edge and ripple the sheet like when we played with parachuts in gym class. As the leaves flew off the kids giggled and squealed. Then we would gather them up and do it again. They were good at clean up because they wanted to do it again and again. 

We sang this little song while we made the leaves fall.

 The Leaves are falling down                                                  

 Sung to: "Farmer in the Dell"  
The leaves are falling down
The leaves are falling down
Red, yellow, green, and brown
The leaves are falling down

(I found it at http://www.preschooleducation.com/sfall.shtml)

We made simple paper plate pumpkins and learned about color mixing at the same time. I added a little red, and a little yellow to each plate and had them use their fingers to mix it all up. Some kids enjoy this less than others. But I find by the end of the year, I have most of them used to getting their hands a little more messy.

We had a simple Halloween party with costumes and a few games. Look at all these cute costumes and kids!

We played a "Trick or Treat" game. I had slips of papers with "tricks" on them and each child took a turn drawing one out and earning a treat for performing their trick. The tricks were things like "Hop on one foot" or "Close your eyes and touch your nose". (I found this cute game and more  at ChildFun).