Fall Learning and Fun on It's Playtime

I laugh at fall posts these days.  Only because I'm in Southern California and while everybody else is enjoying Autumn in September and October, it doesn't really hit us until the middle of November.  It's the hottest time of year for us (it was 110 degrees last week!), the leaves are still green (or simply turning brown from lack of rain), and we batten down the hatches for fire season because it's extremely dry.

But I love fall; I wish we had an earlier one.  I love the colors, the pumpkins (and the pumpkin eats!), the apples, and all the fall activities.  This week on It's Playtime, I'm going to pretend it's not 95 degrees, imagine the trees are changing color, and share some of the wonderful fall activities you all shared with us last week.

I love this Letter and Math Game with Autumn Leaves from the NutureStore!  They use real leaves but if you are in a place like mine where they aren't available yet, craft stores often carry faux leaves that would work just as well.

Join My Buddies and I by creating your own Not-Yet-Fall Tree on a glass door or window in your home/preschool.  It can easily be changed to a fall tree as needed.

 Who needs to cut their pumpkins when painting them can be easier and more fun!  Check out the ArtClubBlog for one way to Decorate your Pumpkins without all the carving and gooey mess (which has it's place but you can't really carve a pumpkin this early; it would be disgusting by Halloween!).

If you were featured this week, don't forget to grab your special "featured button."   

<a href="http://messypreschoolers.blogspot.com/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6YN_5sF-zDA/TaNHGXX3h5I/AAAAAAAAEXw/-UoAIKviGbU/s1600/featured-messykids.jpg" width="150/" /></a>

These activities plus more can be found over on the It's Playtime Pinterest Board.  Happy Pinning! 

Now, on to this weeks play date! 

It's Playtime is a community and Thursday link-up hosted by:

* Rachele : Messy Kids (That's me!)
* Anna : The Imagination Tree
* Rachel : Quirky Momma
* Jamie : hands on : as we grow
* Jenny : Let the Children Play

How to Play :

* Link up a post about a playful learning experience enjoyed by kids.

* Give us love and pop a button into your post/blog. Invite your readers to the weekly play date!

<a href="http://messypreschoolers.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VWLA7lm_Fqc/TaNHGpGSuVI/AAAAAAAAEX0/DGSvqIT7fyU/s320/RED-itplaytime.jpg" width="150" /></a>

* Stop by one of our blogs every Thursday and add your link about play. Your link will show up on each of the blogs in the It's Playtime community.

* Each week the playtime hosts will choose favorite posts to feature. (By linking you are giving us permission to use an image and link to you, if featured.)

* Be sure to visit some of the links that catch your eye. Commenting on posts that you find interesting or inspiring is a wonderful way to develop your own playful community.