Welcome to Month 2 of The Home Play Curriculum — This October, your preschooler will dive into Not-So-Spooky Science with hands-on experiments, creative art, and nature adventures. From fizzing potions to painting lakes, each activity sparks curiosity while strengthening the skills your 3-year-old needs most: early literacy, problem-solving, storytelling, and fine motor control. That blend of fun and skill-building is what NAEYC calls the power of playful learning — guided play that teaches without ever feeling like a lesson.
New here? This month’s plan is one piece of our homeschool preschool curriculum guide, which shows how each month’s themes fit into a full year of learning at home.
Simple prep. Play with purpose. No overwhelm — just joyful learning.
🍂What’s Inside This Month: Not-So-Spooky Science
🧪 Sink or Float: Little Boat
🎨 Little Bear’s Lake Painting
🧪 Witch’s Brew Slime
✍️ Salt Tracing
🌋 Citric Volcanoes
✍️ Magic Letters
🌽 Jumping Corns
🌿 Who Lives at the Lake? Nature Walk
👉 Plus Circle Time, music, nature play, and extra “anytime” activities to keep learning simple and fun!
📥 Grab the Printable Version
Make play easy this fall! Get your free guide with 10 simple activities, a weekly rhythm, and links to all the videos.
✨ Use it on your phone, tablet, or computer to access all the clickable activities — or print it as a planning tool to keep your week organized.
🗓️ Weekly Activity Breakdown
Here’s how we’ll explore October together:
Each week features two simple activities that build skills through play — minimal prep, no overwhelm.
Paired with your playdates, home routines, and scheduled classes, this becomes a whole-child curriculum that nurtures social skills, life skills, movement, and early academics — while still leaving you time to manage your home responsibilities, too.
Week 1
Focus: Science • Creativity • Storytelling • Fine Motor
Week 2
Focus: Sensory • Pre-Writing • Problem-Solving
Week 3
Focus: Science • Early Literacy • Curiosity
Week 4
Focus: Nature • Language • Observation
Bonus / Anytime
🗓️ A Simple 3-Day Weekly Routine
The rhythm keeps things consistent without overwhelm.
- Monday → Activity 1 of the week + outdoor play 🌿
- Wednesday → Activity 2 of the week + read a fall or feelings book 📚
- Friday → Repeat a favorite or try a Bonus activity 🎉
👉 Just 2 new activities each week is plenty — toddlers learn best with repetition.
🎓 HOW TO TEACH SCIENCE FOR TODDLERS
Feel confident before you start teaching this month with our Parent Guide Masterclass.
Storytime Video: Little Bear’s Little Boat
A gentle story that sets the tone for Weeks 1 & 2 — focused on change, confidence, and creativity.
First Time Using This Curriculum?
Start here for the basics:
- 💛 How toddlers learn best
- 🎯 What to expect developmentally
- 🏡 How to set up your home for playful learning
🧠 New to this curriculum?
Each month gives you sensory activities, a parent masterclass, a circle-time video, and a gentle weekly rhythm — jump in anywhere.
If you’d like a quick orientation first, I made a 10-minute foundation guide on how kids learn and what to expect developmentally. 👉 Watch the foundation guide →