Some harvest-related foods for preschool snack time include: pumpkin (such as pumpkin muffins), pumpkin seeds, cranberries (also as part of muffins), squash, popped Indian corn on the cob, stone soup, and corn. For sweet treats, transform cupcakes into pumpkins with orange frosting.
Organize a preschool leaf scavenger hunt with the goal of collecting different leaves hidden in the classroom or outside. Play "Pin the Leaf on the Tree." Have preschoolers match numbered orange pumpkins (cut from construction paper) to corresponding pumpkin outlines on paper. Make homemade play dough in harvest colors (red, yellow, brown) so preschoolers can cut shapes with harvest-themed cookie cutters. Cut apples in half, stamp them on ink pads and onto paper. For harvest wreaths, cut out the center of a paper plate, paint the plate brown, and gather leaves to glue around the plate.
Preschoolers can color harvest/autumn images on a large sheet of paper to cover the snack table. Have preschoolers sponge-paint paper leaves to hang up in the classroom. Do leaf rubbings (with crayons and a piece of paper on top of each leaf) for decorating the classroom.
Some harvest-theme story ideas include "The Littlest Pilgrim" by Brandi Dougherty; "It's Fall (Celebrate the Seasons)" by Linda Glaser; "By the Light of the Harvest Moon" by Harriet Ziefert; "Harvest Time" by Mercer Mayer; and "Hello, Harvest Moon" by Ralph Fletcher.