Squirrels Autumn Store: Invitation to Play
Collect. Sort. Explore. Count. Store.
Bring the magic of autumn into your early years provision with Squirrel's Autumn Store, a beautifully illustrated, nature inspired play invitation designed to encourage curiosity, exploration and discovery.
Inspired by the wonderful treasures autumn brings, this simple yet meaningful activity invites children to become little woodland collectors, gathering, sorting, counting and storing natural materials just like squirrels preparing for winter.
Using conkers, acorns, pinecones, leaves and everyday resources, children can investigate textures, compare sizes, practise early mathematical skills and develop their communication and language through imaginative, hands on play.
With no predetermined outcome, this invitation encourages children to follow their own interests, make discoveries and explore at their own pace.
What's included?
A beautifully illustrated Squirrel's Autumn Store play invitation
Suggested natural materials and everyday resources
Simple, practical setup guidance
Key vocabulary to introduce naturally through play
Observation prompts to help practitioners recognise children's interests
Ideas for extending and adapting the experience through child led exploration
Inspiration for linking seasonal stories and small world play
Learning through play
This invitation creates opportunities to develop early mathematical understanding through counting, sorting, grouping and comparing quantities.
Children can also strengthen fine motor skills as they collect, scoop, transfer and organise materials, while developing vocabulary associated with size, texture, weight and capacity.
The activity encourages practitioners to set less, notice more and follow the child's lead, allowing meaningful learning to emerge naturally through play.
Perfect for: Childminders, nurseries, preschools, EYFS settings and home learning.
A lovely addition to autumn provision, harvest experiences, woodland themes, nature exploration and story inspired invitations to play.
Digital Download: Two page printable PDF resource. No physical resources are included.
The Early Years Edit | The Play Library
Little treasures. Big discoveries.