There is something special about fall in an elementary classroom. The weather starts getting cooler, students are finally settling into classroom routines, and suddenly pumpkins, colorful leaves, apples, and a little bit of Halloween fun start popping up everywhere!
Fall is also one of my favorite times to add a few seasonal touches to the classroom. You definitely don't need to completely redecorate your room every season. A few simple decorations, seasonal books, activities, and classroom supplies can make the room feel festive without creating a ton of extra work.
If you're looking for some easy ways to bring a little fall and Halloween fun into your classroom this year, I've rounded up some of my favorite ideas and Amazon finds for elementary teachers.
Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means I may earn a small commission when you purchase through one of my links, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting Third Grade Waz Squad!
🎃 1. Add Mini Pumpkins Around the Classroom
One of the easiest ways to decorate for fall is with mini pumpkins!
Place artificial pumpkins on bookshelves, your teacher desk, classroom library shelves, or around bulletin boards. I especially love using artificial pumpkins because you can pack them away and reuse them year after year.
Amazon Find: Artificial Mini Pumpkins – Affiliate Link
Teacher tip: Write numbers, letters, vocabulary words, or task-card answers on mini pumpkins and turn your decorations into a learning activity!
🍂 2. Use Fall Leaf Garlands
A simple fall leaf garland can completely change the look of a bulletin board or classroom display.
Try hanging one around your whiteboard, classroom library, bulletin board, doorway, or teacher desk. It's an inexpensive way to add some warm fall colors without needing to redo your entire classroom.
Amazon Find: Fall Leaf Garland – Affiliate Link
If you prefer decorating for the entire fall season instead of specifically for Halloween, leaf garlands are especially nice because you can leave them up through Thanksgiving.
📚 3. Create a Fall & Halloween Book Display
Seasonal books are one of my favorite ways to bring holidays into the classroom while keeping the focus on reading.
Pull out your favorite books about pumpkins, fall, leaves, bats, spiders, and Halloween and create a special display in your classroom library.
A few fun books to consider adding include:
- Creepy Carrots! by Aaron Reynolds
- Creepy Pair of Underwear! by Aaron Reynolds
- Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson
- The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams
- How to Catch a Witch by Alice Walstead
- The Good, the Bad, and the Spooky by Jory John
Amazon Finds:
Shop Creepy Carrots! on Amazon – Affiliate Link
Shop Room on the Broom on Amazon – Affiliate Link
Shop How to Catch a Witch by Alice Walstead- Affiliate Link
Teacher tip: Before reading, have students make predictions based on the cover and title. Afterward, use the story to practice skills you're already teaching, such as sequencing, character traits, theme, main idea, or summarizing.
👻 4. Add Halloween-Themed Classroom Supplies
You don't need an elaborate classroom transformation to make an ordinary school day feel special.
Sometimes something as simple as Halloween pencils or stickers is enough!
Consider keeping a small stash of seasonal goodies for prizes, student birthdays, classroom incentives, or October celebrations.
Amazon Finds:
Halloween Pencils – Amazon Affiliate Link
Halloween Stickers – Amazon Affiliate Link
Halloween Erasers – Amazon Affiliate Link
I especially like items that come in larger classroom packs so there are enough for everyone without spending a fortune.
🕷️ 5. Use Plastic Spiders for Learning Activities
Yes...plastic spiders!
A package of inexpensive plastic spiders can become a surprisingly useful classroom tool.
Amazon Find: Plastic Halloween Spiders – Amazon Affiliate Link
You could use them for:
- Math manipulatives
- Multiplication arrays
- Sorting and graphing
- Estimation jars
- STEM challenges
- Writing prompts
- Halloween sensory bins
For a quick writing activity, give students a spider and ask them to write a creative story explaining how it ended up in the classroom.
Suddenly a package of Halloween decorations becomes an entire lesson!
💡 6. Add Orange or Purple String Lights
String lights can make the classroom feel extra cozy during fall.
Try adding battery-operated orange, purple, or warm white lights around a bulletin board, classroom library, or another small area of your room.
Amazon Find: Battery-Operated Halloween String Lights – Amazon Affiliate Link
Battery-operated lights are especially convenient in classrooms where outlets are limited.
Always check your school's rules regarding classroom lighting and decorations before using them.
🍬 7. Create a Halloween Prize Box
If you already use a classroom prize box, October is the perfect time to add a few seasonal options.
Look for classroom-size packs of:
- Halloween pencils
- Mini notepads
- Stickers
- Erasers
- Bookmarks
- Temporary tattoos
- Fidget toys
Amazon Find: Halloween Classroom Prize Pack – Amazon Affiliate Link
You could also skip the physical prizes and create Halloween-themed classroom coupons for things like choosing your seat, being the teacher's helper, or getting extra reading time.
🎨 8. Stock Up on Fall Craft Supplies
Fall crafts can be wonderful for morning work, classroom parties, indoor recess, or an occasional Friday afternoon activity.
A basic supply of orange, yellow, red, brown, black, and purple construction paper can go a long way.
You might also want:
Amazon Finds:
Fall Construction Paper – Amazon Affiliate Link
Halloween Pom-Poms – Amazon Affiliate Link
Googly Eyes – Amazon Affiliate Link
Fall Foam Stickers – Amazon Affiliate Link
One of my favorite strategies is keeping seasonal craft supplies in one container. When October arrives, you can pull out the bin instead of searching through cabinets for everything you need.
🧙 9. Try a Halloween-Themed Writing Day
Halloween provides SO many opportunities for creative writing.
Students could write about:
If My Teacher Turned Into a Witch...
The Mystery of the Missing Pumpkin
If I Had a Pet Ghost...
The Day a Skeleton Walked Into Our Classroom
Design Your Own Haunted House
Add Halloween-themed pencils or fun Halloween journals, turn down the classroom lights, add some seasonal music, and suddenly regular writing time feels like a special event.
Amazon Find: Halloween Journals – Amazon Affiliate Link
🎃 10. Try Pumpkin Learning Activities
Pumpkins aren't just decorations—they can become an entire day of cross-curricular learning.
Bring a pumpkin into the classroom and have students:
- Estimate its weight
- Measure its circumference
- Count the lines
- Predict whether it will sink or float
- Estimate the number of seeds
- Describe it using sensory details
- Write instructions for carving a pumpkin
- Research the pumpkin life cycle
You could even have groups work with smaller pumpkins.
Amazon Find: Pumpkin Investigation Tools– Amazon Affiliate Link
It's a simple way to combine science, math, reading, and writing into one seasonal activity.
🍁 Keep Fall Classroom Fun Simple
Seasonal classroom activities don't have to mean completely transforming your classroom or spending hours preparing elaborate lessons.
Sometimes the smallest things create the most excitement. A stack of Halloween books. A few pumpkins on the bookshelf. A spooky writing prompt. Halloween pencils waiting on student desks.
Those little touches can make an ordinary October school day feel special while still keeping the focus on learning. Choose the ideas that work for your students, your classroom, and your budget—and skip the rest!
Happy fall, teachers! 🍂🎃
What is your favorite way to celebrate fall or Halloween in your classroom? Share your favorite activity or tradition in the comments—I would love to hear your ideas!
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