I always like to start or end counseling lessons with mindfulness exercises. Keeping the activities consistent while giving them fun themes helps kids feel a sense of mastery over the activities while also keeping their interest. Keep reading to find my favorite Fall mindfulness activities to use in counseling!
Fall Mindfulness Activities
Mindful Nature Walk
Heading outside for a mindful nature walk is the perfect way to start a lesson, especially while I’m teaching in an outdoor space during Covid. We practice using our senses:
- Hear: wind rustling and leaves crinkling
- See: changing leaf colors and leaves falling
- Feel: bark texture and wind blowing
Pumpkin Sensory Exploration
With a large or individual small pumpkins, students can practice using their senses to make observations. They can trace the pumpkin with a finger, feeling the bumps and ridges. They can tap the pumpkin and listen for the sound. They can small the outside or inside of the pumpkin. And if allowed at your school, students can taste prepackaged pumpkin seeds!
Leaf Breathing
Using printable breathing guides or real leaves, students can practice controlled breathing. They can inhale and exhale as they trace the edges of the leaves with a finger.
Football Touch & Trace
Footballs have great textures for mindful sensory explorations! Students can run their palms over the bumpy skin and trace one finger over the laces. Prompt students to describe the sensations in their palms and fingertips.
Apple Pie Play Dough
My students love homemade scented play dough, and apple pie play dough is perfect for fall! Squeezing, smashing, and molding the play dough is a great sensory activity, and the scents are an added bonus. You can make your own play dough with this recipe:
- Ingredients:
- 1 cup flour
- 1/4 cup salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp cream of tartar
- 1/2 tbsp oil
- 1 tsp red food coloring (optional)
- 1 cup water
- Instructions:
- Combine dry ingredients
- Add wet ingredients
- Cool over medium heat until the dough pulls away from the sides of the pot
- Let the dough cool and then play!
Want more fall mindfulness activities? Download all 25 here:
Find more fall counseling activities here on my blog!
