Fall is the perfect time to bring apples into pediatric therapy sessions. From sensory exploration to fine motor skills, literacy, and creative expression, apples offer a hands-on way to engage kids in meaningful learning. Below are eight fun, kid-friendly apple-themed activities that therapists, educators, and parents can use to support skill development while celebrating the season.

Coffee Filter Apple Core Craft

Fold a coffee filter in half and cut a semi-circle to create leaf-shaped pieces. One piece can become a leaf and the other can be cut into a stem. This craft helps children practice cutting, folding, and bilateral coordination, making it a perfect fine motor activity for preschoolers.

Learn More: Lessons 4 Little Ones

The Parts of an Apple

After exploring real apples, kids can photograph the fruit in Seesaw and label the parts using a word bank or apple word wall cards. This activity reinforces vocabulary, observation, and early literacy skills, while also supporting cognitive development.

Learn More: Lessons 4 Little Ones

What’s Inside an Apple?

In this activity, children get to observe and handle different apple varieties. This introductory sensory exploration helps build observation skills, encourages discussion, and introduces scientific thinking as kids learn about textures, seeds, and colors.

Learn More: Lessons 4 Little Ones

Fun Apple Tasting Activity

This tasting activity is excellent for sensory exploration, language development, and descriptive vocabulary, and it’s a fun way to create seasonal family memories while learning about flavors, textures, and healthy foods.

Learn More: The Many Little Joys

Felt Caramel Apple Craft

Create cute Caramel Apple Friends from felt that can be used for puppet play. This craft supports imaginative play, fine motor coordination, and storytelling, while also introducing the Fall season and festive themes like Halloween or harvest festivals.

Learn More: Glued to My Crafts

Caramel Apple Craft Idea

Kids can make their own candy apple craft using simple materials. This cozy Fall activity encourages creativity, fine motor skills, and social interaction as children design and share their sweet creations, perfect for therapy or classroom art time.

Learn More: Simple Everyday Mom

BOOK: Red Panda’s Candy Apples

This story about Red Panda selling candy apples is a fun literacy activity for preschoolers. Children can practice listening comprehension, sequencing, and sharing concepts, making it ideal for circle time or reading groups during Fall therapy sessions.

Learn more: Red Panda’s Candy Apples by Ruth Paul

SONG: 10 Candy Apples Hanging on a Tree

A lively counting song that teaches children to count backwards from 10 to 1. Perfect for combining movement, music, and early math skills, this activity is a seasonal favorite that encourages participation and engagement.

Learn More: 10 Candy Apples Hanging on a Tree by Billy Gorilly

The best part, you can mix and match these activities to create a single Fall-themed session. For example, start with apple observation and tasting, follow with a craft like the Coffee Filter Apple Core, and close with a story or counting song. This multi-modal approach supports fine motor, sensory processing, language, and cognitive skills, while keeping children motivated and festive.