Fall Rhymes for Preschool Circle Time

Preschool Circle Time Chants, Finger Plays, and Action Rhymes for Fall

Preschool circle time chants, finger plays, and action rhymes for fall can be a fun way to engage young children in seasonal activities and teach them about the changes that occur during this time of year. There are so many interactive and engaging rhymes that can be used throughout the season.

We've compiled a list of some of our favorite fall chants, finger plays, and rhymes for the preschool classroom. These work especially well for circle time! Follow along for the list of our favorites. 

Fall Preschool Chants:

"Leaves are Falling"
Leaves are falling, falling down.
Red, yellow, orange, and brown.
Leaves are falling, falling down.
Autumn is here, all around.

Invite your preschoolers to follow along with movements and falling to the ground. Grab this activity from our Fall Rhymes and Fingerplays pack.

Five Little Pumpkins 

Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate,
The first one said, "Oh my, it's getting late." The second one said, "There are witches in the air." The third one said, "But we don't care." The fourth one said, "Let's run and run and run." The fifth one said, "I'm ready for some fun!" Ooooh went the wind, and out went the light, and the five little pumpkins rolled out of sight.

Use this activity sheet to go along with this activity! Preschoolers can cut and paste or use this as with velcro. ​Fall Rhymes and Fingerplays pack.
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I'm a Little Scarecrow 

"I'm a Little Scarecrow"
I'm a little scarecrow, tall and thin.
I wear a hat and a silly grin.
When the birds come near, I wave and shout,
"Get away, get away, or I'll scare you out!"

Along with the scarecrow rhyme try this Scarecrow Turnaround Freebie

The Apple Tree

Way up high in the apple tree,
Two little apples smiled at me.
I shook that tree as hard as I could,
Down came the apples, mmm they were good!

Falling Leaves 

Falling leaves, falling leaves,
Drifting gently to the ground.
Red and yellow, orange and brown,
Autumn leaves are falling down.

Pair this with fabric leaves and have them fall to the ground during this chant.

​Fall Preschool Finger Plays:

Finger plays are a great approach for building fine motor skills, language development, cognitive growth, memory enhancement, social skills, creativity, attention, and cultural awareness, all while being fun and engaging for young learners.

"Little Acorns"

Here are little acorns, (hold up fist)
Ready to grow into oak trees.
First they'll need some sunshine, (hold up other hand, wiggle fingers)
Then they'll need some rain.
Watch them grow tall and strong, (raise one fist above other hand)
Until they're big and proud. (raise both fists up high)

Two Little Blackbirds 

Two little blackbirds sitting on a hill,
One named Jack and one named Jill.
Fly away Jack, fly away Jill,
Come back Jack, come back Jill.
​
After you've taught your preschoolers this song, show them this fun YouTube Video of the song!

​"The Squirrel Song"

Gray squirrel, gray squirrel, (make a squirrel with hand)
Swish your bushy tail.
Gray squirrel, gray squirrel,
Swish your bushy tail.
Wrinkle up your little nose, (wiggle nose)
And hold a nut between your toes. (hold up foot)
Gray squirrel, gray squirrel,
Swish your bushy tail.

​"Five Little Leaves"

Five little leaves on the tree next door, (hold up five fingers)
One fell off and then there were four. (hold up four fingers)
Four little leaves, pretty as can be,
One fell off and then there were three. (hold up three fingers)
Three little leaves, nothing much to do,
One fell off and then there were two. (hold up two fingers)
Two little leaves, basking in the sun,
One fell off and then there was one. (hold up one finger)
One little leaf, alone on the tree,
It fell off and then there were none. (spread out hands)

​"The Leaves on the Trees"

​The leaves on the trees turn orange and red, (wiggle fingers like leaves)
Then they fall to the ground, thump! (pat the ground)
In the wind they swirl and twirl, (spin around)
And make a crunchy sound, crunch! (stomp feet)

Fall Preschool Movement Rhymes

Fall-themed movement rhymes for preschoolers are a great way to incorporate physical activity into the classroom. And, they're fun!

The Scarecrow

Stand up tall with arms outstretched, (stand with arms out)
Like a scarecrow in the field.
Now sway back and forth, (sway from side to side)
As the autumn winds do yield.
Bend your knees and jump up high, (bend knees and jump)
Like the crows are flying by.
Then stand up straight and wave hello, (stand and wave)
To all the friends passing by below.

The Little Pumpkin

Roll your arms and make a ball, (roll arms)
Like a little pumpkin small.
Now roll it fast and roll it slow, (roll ball fast and slow)
Watch it as it starts to grow.
Bend your knees and squat down low, (squat down)
Watch the pumpkin start to go.
Then jump up high and shout hooray, (jump and shout)
For the little pumpkin's on its way.

The Apple Tree

Stand up tall with arms up high, (stand with arms up)
Like a tree reaching for the sky.
Now sway back and forth in the breeze, (sway from side to side)
As the apples fall with ease.
Bend your knees and pick them up, (bend down and pick up apples)
Gather them in a big, full cup.
Then shake the tree and do it again, (shake and repeat)
Until all the apples have come to an end.

The Leaves on the Ground

Step on the leaves, crunch, crunch, crunch, (step and crunch)
As you walk along the path.
Now spin around with your arms out wide, (spin with arms out)
As the leaves begin to dance.
Jump up high and catch them in the air, (jump and catch leaves)
As they fall from everywhere.
Then swirl them around and let them go, (swirl and release leaves)
As the autumn winds do blow.

The Busy Squirrel 

Scamper around and gather some nuts, (scamper and gather)
Like a busy squirrel on the go.
Now climb up high and store them away, (climb and store)
For the winter winds will soon blow.
Scratch your head and wiggle your nose, (scratch and wiggle)
As you plan your next big pose.
Then jump up high and shout with glee, (jump and shout)
For the busy squirrel is happy and free.
 

We hope you learned a new chant or two that you can bring into your preschool classrooms. These chants, finger plays and rhymes make learning all about the fall season a lot of fun!

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