We decided to do a celebration of Fall colors by going on a nature walk and collecting things to make our own potpourri. This was my first time making potpourri and I have to say, I like it so much better than store bought. It fills our home with the Fall aromas of cinnamon, cloves and orange as it brings back memories of our nature walk.
Make Your Own Fall Potpourri:
You will need:
- Nature finds collected from a walk such as leaves, small redwood cones and moss
- Essential oils (We used cinnamon, clove and orange)
- Orange or tangelo peels
- Cinnamon sticks (if desired) They do not need to be food grade.
- Ziploc bags large enough to hold nature finds
- Basket or bowl to display the finished potpourri
Making potpourri is easier than I ever imagined, or we would have been doing it for years by now! Now that I know, I can’t believe I spent a lot of money over the years buying prepared potpourris that were nowhere near as pretty or fragrant! When you are ready to make potpourri, take your children or students on a nature walk with large Ziploc bags to store their treasures. Afterwards, have an orange or tangelo snack and save the peels. Have children break any large pieces into smaller pieces.
We enjoyed tangelos from Grandma and Grandpa’s garden. If you want them to dry quickly, set your oven to the lowest setting. Ours is 170 degrees. Then cook them until they are dry and crispy. Ours took about 2 1/2 hours. Alternatively, you could lay them out on a cookie sheet to dry for several days. Break up cinnamon sticks to desired length. This step needs to be done by an adult.
Have your children smell each essential oil and learn about the scents. Ask which one they like best. Add the cinnamon sticks and dried orange peels to the bags of nature finds. Then, have your children add several drops of essential oils, depending on how strong you would like the scent to be. Have them shake the bags to disperse the oils. Leave the bags for a couple of days to absorb the scent. Then, display in a basket or bowl. This would make a wonderful gift from a child for grandparents, other relatives or teachers. The Sugar Snaps are very proud of their potpourri basket and love to inhale the fragrance.
While on our walk, we discovered several banana slugs which were roaming amongst the leaves showing off their beautiful Fall colors. This gave us another opportunity for learning. Capri knelt down next to a particularly vibrant banana slug and said, “Hello banana slug. I hope you’re having a wonderful day!” That cracked me up. I love how preschoolers interact with their environment with such enthusiasm. I labeled one of the banana slug photos to continue our learning when we got home. I did not include all the parts, but I labeled enough parts to generate a discussion and enhance their learning. You may want to label a photo from your nature walk too.
For More FALL COLOR Themed Preschool Activities from the PLAYful Preschool Education Team:
Fall Colors Water Mixing by Still Playing School
Exploring Fall Colors With Gourds by Little Bins For Little Hands
Why Leaves Change Colors by The Preschool Toolbox Blog
Learning With Preschool Songs: The Leaves of the Trees by Growing Book by Book
DIY Fall Color Word Book by The Educators’ Spin On It
Learning Number Words with Fall Colored Leaves by Tiny Tots Adventures
Fall Tree Number Matching by Mom Inspired Life
Colors of Fall Sensory Bin by Life Over C’s
Foot Painting The Fall Colours by Learning to Walk
Exploring Fall Colors in Paint by Powerful Mothering
Autumn Colours Plant Science at Rainy Day Mum
Make Your Own Fall Potpourri at Capri + 3
What a great way to explore fall! I would never have thought of this! Awesome sensory play too!
Thank you Sarah.
They did have fun with the sensory exploration. I like that the sensory element continues with the fragrance of the potpourri.
: 0 ) Theresa
I love fall & I love this idea, it would make a great homeschool project
Hi Cheree Raising.
I hope you enjoy trying this out in your homeschool. We had so much fun.
: 0 ) Theresa
this looks so fun! ilove that it's toddler friendly 🙂
Hi Soujourner Williams.
I agree that this activity is great for all ages. I have to admit that I even love it as an adult! It is a fun family activity.
: 0 ) Theresa
My daughter loves collecting stuff! What an easy way for her to interact with nature and fall. How long do the essential oils smell last on the potpourri before having to reapply? Thanks!
What a great outdoor activity. It's an extra bonus that it smells good, too.
Hi Bree Talks.
I do not know how long they last yet because this was our first time making potpourri and it is very fragrant. I did discover that a little oil goes a long way. If it needs to be refreshed, it would not take very much oil to spruce it up.
: 0 ) Theresa
Hi Shelah Moss.
We had so much fun with he activity. I am a sucker for things that smell great, whether it is potpourri or lotion. We have tried gluing nature finds to pieces of paper, which is fun, but the scent of the potpourri takes it to a different level which I like even more.
: 0 ) Theresa
This is a great sensory activity! It is so pretty too.
Hi Danielle Buckley.
We had fun with the sensory exploration. I love this time of year!
: 0 ) Theresa
This looks like a fun end to a wonderful walk. Ewe to the slug
Hi Natasha Johnson.
Your comment about the slug is funny. I do not get excited to see a regular slug, but banana slugs do capture my imagination. I am not sure if it is their bright color, or my own childhood memories of finding them when camping.
: 0 ) Theresa
So totally doing this! I live in the south and it's still a little warm. Can't wait to do this with my little one. I know he will have a ball! Definitely a good weekend project we can do together.
Hi Kae James.
I hope you enjoy it. We still have nice weather too in California.
: 0 ) Theresa
Ohhh I've never made potpourri either and it looks so easy. Quick question what is a Tangelo (did I get that right never heard of them!).
Also love your slug labelling my first grader thinks it's wonderful
Hi Cerys Parker.
Tangelos are a citrus fruit very similar to oranges. It is actually hybrid of a mandarin orange and a grapefruit and is sweet in flavor. I personally like them a little better than oranges (though I enjoy both). I love that your first grader enjoyed the slug photo.
: 0 ) Theresa
I am such a bug freak that I would be so nervous as to which bugs were making their marry travels into my home. Buttttt I might be willing to leave it on my porch 🙂
Side note: LOVE the blog name. I have a little Capri myself 🙂
Hi Christine Cox.
I have never met anyone who has a Capri before. So fun! Slugs travel so slowly that they would never make it into anyone's home (at least I hope not!)
: 0 ) Theresa
This sounds beyond fabulous! Thanks for sharing ❤❤❤❤
Thank you Courtney Lynne!
: 0 ) Theresa
We just collected rose petals and mumms for a big sensory bin and will bake them later to try make a potpourri. Thanks for the activity suggestion!
Very Cool. My toddler will love making this, and I absolutely love fall fragrances!
Hi Amanda Boyarshinov.
Rose petals and mums will be wonderful for making potpourri. I hope you enjoy it.
: 0 ) Theresa
Hi Jen The Halfway Homemaker.
I hope your toddler enjoys this activity. I am with you on the Fall fragrances. I love them! This is one of those activities that is just as much fun for the adults as it is the kids!
: 0 ) Theresa
This is such a fun idea!
Thank you WorkingMomMagic.
I hope you get the chance to try it out. This is something that is fun to do with the kids, but would also be fun with a group of adult friends.
: 0 ) Theresa
This would make such a fun gift to give to family members too!
What a wonderful way to explore fall colors with DIY sensory explorations! Great outdoors scavenger hunt for fall!:) Nicely done!
What a fun idea! I love that they get to explore and decide what goes into the potpourri themselves!
I've never thought of making my own potpourri but that's genius! And so much fun!
Hello Growing Book by Book.
I agree that it would be a very festive and personal gift.
: 0 ) Theresa
Hi Kim Staten.
It does give them a sense of pride when they look at it and see the nature finds that the picked out themselves.
: 0 ) Theresa
Hi Devany LeDrew.
Thank you. We did have a lot of fun.
: 0 ) Theresa
I'm cracking up at the conversation with the banana slug! 🙂 I love the addition of essential oils to the spoils of a nature walk!
Capri is so brave! J would never go anywhere near that banana slug. I love that most preschoolers love to interact with their environment.
Hi Mary Catherine.
Kids say the funniest things! I love how they help me to see the world differently. I think banana slugs are interesting, but would not have thought to 'befriend' one the way she did!
: 0 ) Theresa
Hi Alecia Francois.
I love how they interact too and cast a magical spin on the world around them.
: 0 ) Theresa
Hello Preschool Toolbox.
Thank you so much. We had a great time!
: 0 ) Theresa
Nice idea- pinned it. Found your blog on Link and Learn link party and started following on Google +.
Erin
http://theeveryday-mom.blogspot.com/
Thank you so much Erin.
I am now also following you on Google +.
: 0 ) Theresa