Where did that little acorn go?

This playful fall circle time game invites children to look, guess, chant and take turns as they help a curious squirrel search beneath the leaves. It is simple enough for toddlers, engaging for preschoolers and easy to adapt as children’s skills grow.

Use it to practice colors, numbers, letters, shapes, names, or simply enjoy the excitement of wondering where the acorn might be hiding.

Start With the Free Chant

Download the free “Where Is the Acorn?” chant here

You can use the chant with paper leaves you already have, real leaves from outside or quick leaf shapes cut from construction paper.

Complete Printable Game with Leaf Pieces Here
This complete printable game has leaf pieces for color game, and leaf pieces for you to add what you want to focus on (letter, numbers, etc). It also has extension activities and a fun squirrel prop to use.

How to Play

1. Place the leaves where the children can see them. I would start with 3 leaves for toddlers and 5 for preschool and up.
2. Secretly hide the acorn underneath one leaf.
3. Introduce the chant and practice saying it together.
4. Invite one child to choose a leaf. (pick by color, letter, number, shape, name, etc)
5. Lift the leaf to see whether the acorn is underneath.
6. Continue chanting and choosing until the acorn is found.
7. Hide it again and begin another round.

The squirrel can be used as a playful prop to help search for the acorn. A child can also hold the squirrel while waiting for their turn or pass it to the person who will choose next.

Introduce It at Circle Time

Begin by teaching the game during circle time or in a small group. Show children how the acorn is hidden, practice the chant together and explain how turns will work.

Before playing, teach the expectations you want children to follow:

• Choose one leaf at a time.
• Wait until the chant is finished before looking.
• Leave the other leaves in place.
• Pass the squirrel gently.
• Help cheer for each person’s turn.

Preteaching the routine helps children understand what to do before the excitement of finding the acorn begins.

Once the children know the game, add it to a learning center or independent play area. Familiar games can support confidence, cooperation and child-led learning.

Make the Game Grow With the Children

The basic hiding game is fun on its own, but it can also be adapted to support different early-learning skills.

What Children Are Learning

While children are focused on finding the hidden acorn, they are also practicing:

• Color, number and letter recognition
• Visual attention and memory
• Listening and following directions
• Turn-taking and patience
• Prediction and problem-solving
• Language and vocabulary
• Group participation
• Confidence during circle time

The repeated chant also supports rhythm, recall and early literacy. Children begin anticipating familiar words and may soon join in without prompting.

Use It as a Fall Book Companion Activity

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This game pairs naturally with fall read-alouds about squirrels, acorns, leaves, forests and changing seasons. We always use it with The Busy Little Squirrel by Nancy Tafuri

Read the story first, then bring out the squirrel and ask:

“Do you think our squirrel can find its acorn?”

The game helps extend the book beyond the final page and gives children an active way to revisit its seasonal ideas.

Here is a list of our favorite fall books

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One little acorn can hold a lot of learning—and quite a bit of fall magic.

🌱 Stay Rooted. Guide Wonder.