raking leaves

An enjoyable fall activity for children aged 2 and upwards

Development goals: gross motor skills, language

Materials

• Adult-size rake

• Child-size rake

• Gardening gloves, adult and child sized

• Appropriate outdoor clothing and shoes

• Garden waste disposal bag (if necessary)

Process

Invite the child to spend time with you outside, raking leaves. Ensure that everyone involved is clothed suitably for the elements, and head outside. To begin, note the different parts of the rake (handle, head, tines/spokes, etc). Then show how to safely carry the rake, head down, with the spokes facing away from you. Both hands should hold the handle.

Together, bring your rakes to where you will be raking. Demonstrate  how to rake the leaves into a pile. Invite the child to join in, and get raking!

When you have a suitable pile, put your rakes down in a safe place, and put on your gardening gloves (if they are not already on). Invite the child to do the same. Then, show how to scoop up handfuls of leaves, to put into the garden waste disposal bag, or wherever is suitable in your area. Together, tidy up the pile of leaves.

This can be repeated as many times as you’d like! If you have a safe place to store a rake outside, you can also keep the rakes accessible so that leaves can be raked at the child’s convenience when spending time outside.

Once you have finished, put away your tools together.