Leaf Hunt & Sort Challenge!
Fall is the perfect time to head outside, breathe in the crisp air, and turn nature into your therapy room! The Leaf Hunt & Sort Challenge is a fun, seasonal OT activity that blends sensory exploration, motor skill practice, and executive functioning—all with a handful of leaves.
Whether you’re in the clinic, classroom, or at home, this activity is low-prep, high-engagement, and adaptable for a wide range of ages and developmental levels.
What You’ll Need:
A small bag, basket, or bucket for collecting
Real leaves from outdoors or pre-cut felt/paper leaves (great for indoor or rainy day versions!)
Sorting trays, muffin tins, paper plates, or construction paper
Optional tools for added fine motor fun:
Tongs or tweezers
Hole puncher
Crayons & paper for leaf rubbings
Glue, stickers, googly eyes for crafts
How to Play: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Leaf Hunt
Head outside for a fall leaf scavenger hunt! Encourage the child to collect:
Different colors (red, yellow, orange, brown, green)
Various sizes (small, medium, large)
Unique textures (crunchy, soft, bumpy)
Use language like:
“Can you find a bumpy one?”
“Let’s look for one with five points!”
“Which one is the biggest leaf you can find?”
Step 2: Sort & Organize
Once you’re back inside (or on a blanket outside!), sort the leaves using a visual sorting system:
Use labeled paper plates or muffin tins: “Red leaves here, yellow leaves there”
Encourage sorting by color, size, shape, or number of leaf points
Let kids come up with their own sorting rules too!
Add fine motor tools like tweezers or tongs for extra challenge.
Step 3: Fine Motor Craft Add-ons
Now turn those sorted leaves into something awesome:
Make a “Leaf Person” or Leaf Monster (glue leaves to paper, draw faces, use googly eyes or buttons)
Do leaf rubbings: place a leaf under paper and rub with crayons
Use a hole punch to strengthen finger muscles (punch around the edges of the leaves!)
Create a Leaf Collage with labeled categories (great for sequencing and labeling)
Emotion leaves: draw different faces on leaves to discuss feelings
Tips:
Use this activity as a regulating after-school routine
Keep it flexible—no “wrong” way to sort! Kids can sort by “favorite,” “smoothest,” or “coolest shape”
Pair it with a cozy snack (like apple slices or pumpkin muffins!) to build positive associations with the task.
At Creating Connections OT, we’re here to help your child thrive—emotionally, physically, and socially. If this post resonated with you and you're wondering what the next step looks like, our New Client Page has everything you need. From what to expect in your first session to how we support your child’s unique goals, it’s all just a click away.
