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A calmer way to teach, lead and nurture childhood.
Practical ideas, reflective insights and nature-led inspiration for educators who want to do less — and do it more meaningfully.
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Pumpkin Play!
Pumpkin Fever: Slow, Seasonal Pumpkin Play Ideas for Early Years
Pumpkin fever is such a joyful way to celebrate the magic of autumn.
The pumpkins appearing.
The leaves changing colour.
The smell of soup bubbling away.
The tiny hands collecting seeds, scooping, washing, weighing and wondering.
In this blog post I want to share some of my favourite pumpkin play ideas from The Rewinding Your Wanderlust Child Nature Study, and how we can use seasonal hooks in a slower, more child-led way.
Before we dive in, if this kind of slower, more meaningful seasonal practice speaks to you, you might also love joining me for The Unhurried Child Online Conference. We’ll be exploring slow pedagogy, whole-child development, outdoor learning, behaviour through a nervous system lens, and how we protect childhood in Early Years practice.
Click here to join The Unhurried Child Conference.
Starting With A Hook, Not A Theme Takeover
When planning for seasonal changes in our practice, we do...
Nature Inspired Outdoor Play Ideas in Autumn
Little Nature Tots is a nature-inspired play group for toddlers, preschoolers & babies, set in a beautiful woodland in Moorgreen, Nottingham. We aim to promote child-led play, in a natural environment that enables children to develop early foundations for learning and ignite a love for the outdoors. 🌳
Here are some of our favourite nature-inspired activities to inspire you this Autumn - with a Halloween twist...
For more support on your nature based planning please also check out our Rewilding Wanderlust Nature Study Programme
Pumpkin Hammer
A fun way to encourage children to develop their fine motor skills. Golf Tees are perfect for little hands and using miniature real hammers they will feel very independent. Why not extend this activity by removing the golf tees and then letting the children poke sticks into the holes.
Pumpkin Patch
We love to visit or set up a pumpkin patch with straw and bales of hay - placing the pumpkins in amongst for the children to find. Add wooden cr...
Online Conference
Online Conference
Curious about slow pedagogy?
”The Unhurried Child"
21st November 2026 (48 hour access)
A slower, more connected whole child approach to early childhood.
One inspiring online conference for educators ready to protect play, nurture wellbeing and give childhood back it's time.
