Ah, fall—the season of crisp air, cozy sweaters, and vibrant leaves crunching underfoot. It’s my absolute favorite time of year, and not just because of the pumpkin spice everything. There’s something magical about autumn that makes you want to slow down, soak in the colors, and spend quality time with the people you love. For me, that often means crafting with my kids.
There’s nothing quite like gathering around the table, sipping on some warm cider, and diving into a pile of craft supplies. Whether it’s making silly puppets from leaves we collected on a walk or creating colorful suncatchers to brighten up our windows, these little projects bring so much joy and connection. Plus, they’re a great way to keep tiny hands busy on those chilly afternoons when going outside isn’t so appealing.
In this post, I’m sharing some of our favorite fall crafts—simple, fun, and perfect for kids of all ages. Each one has its own charm and a way of celebrating the beauty of the season. So, grab your craft box and let’s make some autumn magic together!
1. Leaf Suncatchers
Let’s start with a craft that brings a touch of autumn indoors. Imagine sitting by the window with your kids, watching the sunlight stream through a beautiful collage of fall colors. That’s what leaf suncatchers do—they turn simple materials into magical window art.
- Why It’s Awesome: This craft is as much about the process as it is about the final product. Collecting leaves together is an adventure on its own. You can make it a mini nature walk, gathering leaves in all shapes and sizes. Once you’re back, the real fun begins: creating your suncatcher.
- How to Do It:
Grab some contact paper, cut it into a square, and peel off the backing (this might be your kid’s favorite part—it’s so satisfying!). Have your child stick leaves and small pieces of tissue paper on the sticky side. Seal it with another piece of contact paper, and voilà! When you hang it on the window, the sunlight transforms it into a glowing piece of art. - Perfect for: Rainy afternoons when you want to bring a little sunshine inside.
2. Pumpkin Paper Plate Craft
Nothing screams fall like pumpkins, right? But carving one with little kids can get messy fast. Enter the humble paper plate: a fuss-free alternative that still brings the pumpkin fun.
- Why It’s Great: This craft is perfect for younger kids. It’s simple, quick, and allows them to explore their creative side without a ton of cleanup. Plus, once it’s done, you’ve got some cute DIY decorations for your home.
- How It Works:
Start by painting a paper plate orange. As your child dabs away with their brush, you can chat about pumpkins—why they’re orange, how they grow, or even describe the parts of the pumpkin for an added educational bonus! Once the paint dries, cut out a little green stem from construction paper and glue it on. For an extra twist, glue on the parts of the pumpkin such as seeds, leaves and use pieces of yarn to create the inside pumpkin look.
3. Handprint Trees
Here’s a craft that turns your child’s hands into a canvas for a gorgeous autumn tree. It’s also one of those keepsakes you’ll cherish for years. Imagine pulling it out one day when they’re all grown up and reminiscing about those tiny handprints.
- Why It’s Special: This isn’t just a craft—it’s a memory. Kids love getting their hands messy with paint, and parents love seeing their little ones’ creativity come to life.
- How It’s Done:
Start with brown paint. You can help your child draw and paint the tree trunk, or print out a tree trunk and allow them to do the rest. After it dries, dip their hands in red, orange, and yellow paint for the leaves. Each handprint becomes a burst of fall foliage. You can even add a swing or animals for a fun twist! - Perfect for: Making gifts for grandparents or a seasonal decoration for your fridge.
4. Leaf Rubbings
There’s something magical about leaf rubbings. They’re a bit like uncovering hidden secrets—the intricate veins and shapes of leaves appear as if by magic. This craft is perfect for curious kids who love exploring nature.
- Why It’s Fun: It’s a hands-on way to teach kids about the beauty of nature. Plus, it’s incredibly easy and requires minimal supplies.
- How It Works:
After collecting some leaves, place one under a sheet of white paper. Grab a crayon (the side works best) and gently rub it over the paper. As the design emerges, kids often gasp in delight—it’s like a little science experiment meets art project! You can even turn the rubbings into cards or bookmarks. - Perfect for: A quick, no-mess activity that’s still super satisfying.
5. Acorn Necklaces
Here’s a craft that lets your kids play jewelry designer—using nature! Acorns are not only plentiful in fall, but they also make for some seriously cute accessories.
- Why It’s Creative: This project taps into your child’s sense of style. They can paint acorns in their favorite colors, add glitter, and even mix and match to create their perfect necklace.
- How to Make It:
First, gather a bunch of acorns and clean them. Then, let your kids paint and decorate them however they like. Once the acorns are dry, you can string them together using a needle and strong thread (you’ll probably want to help with this part). The result? A fun fall accessory that they can keep as cute little memories or wear them for a funky fall night! - Perfect for: Kids who love fashion or just want to wear their crafts.
6. Toilet Paper Roll Owls
Owls are such a charming symbol of fall, aren’t they? Their wide eyes and quiet wisdom just scream cozy autumn evenings. With a few toilet paper rolls and some craft supplies, you and your kids can make art of these cute creatures.
- Why It’s Adorable: There’s something about turning a plain old toilet paper roll into a whimsical owl that feels magical. Kids love giving their owls personalities—some end up wise and serious, while others are goofy and playful.
- How to Create It:
Start by folding the top of the toilet paper roll inward on both sides to form the owl’s ears. Then let your child cover the roll with colored paper or paint. Cut out some paper wings, or better yet, use autumn leaves for the wings! Add on a little triangle beak, some owl decor, and Suddenly, you’ve got an owl ready to hoot! You can even make a whole family of owls, each with their own flair. - Perfect for: A rainy afternoon or creating a fall-themed shelf display.
7. Autumn Leaf Puppets
Let’s bring a bit of theatrical flair to fall crafting with leaf puppets! This activity combines creativity with storytelling, making it an all-in-one craft and playtime experience.
- Why It’s Engaging: Kids love giving personalities to their puppets, and these leaves-turned-characters are perfect for creating fall-themed adventures. It’s also a fantastic way to spark their imagination and practice storytelling skills.
- How It Works:
Start by collecting some large, sturdy leaves. Once you’re back home, grab some craft sticks, glue, and markers. Your kids can draw faces on the leaves—happy, silly, or spooky! Then, glue each leaf to a stick, and voilà, your puppets are ready for their debut. - Perfect for: Putting on a mini puppet show that captures the magic of fall.
8. Apple Stamping
Nothing says fall quite like apples. And if your kids love to paint, this craft is a must-try. Using apples as stamps is not only fun but also a creative way to teach kids about different textures and shapes.
- Why It’s Cool: The excitement of dipping an apple slice into paint and pressing it onto paper never gets old. Each print is unique, and kids love experimenting with different colors and patterns.
- How to Make It:
Slice an apple in half (across the middle to reveal the star-shaped core for extra wow factor). Let your kids dip the flat side into paint and stamp away on paper. You can make a whole orchard, create patterns, or even use the prints to make fall-themed cards. - Perfect for: Introducing kids to printmaking in the most deliciously fun way.
Pumpkin Patch Sensory Bin
For younger kids, sensory bins are a wonderful way to explore textures, colors, and themes—and what better theme than a pumpkin patch in the fall?
- Why It’s Fantastic: This craft transforms simple items into a full sensory experience. The combination of textures, from soft pom-poms to rough hay, keeps little hands busy while encouraging imaginative play.
- How to Make It:
Fill a shallow bin with dried beans, rice, or even shredded paper as the base. Add in mini pumpkins (plastic or real), orange pom-poms, toy farm animals, and scoops or small buckets. Your child can “harvest” their pumpkins, count them, or create little farm stories. - Perfect for: Toddlers and preschoolers who love tactile activities.
10. Pumpkin Spice Playdough
What if your fall craft could also double as sensory play? Enter pumpkin spice playdough. It smells like fall, feels amazing, and keeps kids entertained for hours.
- Why It’s Sensory Magic: The warm, spicy scent of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves will fill your home as your kids squish, roll, and mold their own playdough creations. It’s relaxing for both of you and offers endless opportunities for imaginative play.
- How to Make It:
Combine flour, salt, water, cream of tartar, and a little food coloring in a saucepan. Add some pumpkin spice for that heavenly fall scent. Cook it over low heat until it thickens into dough. Let it cool, and it’s ready to play with! - Perfect for: A calming, hands-on activity on chilly afternoons.
These crafts are more than just activities; they’re opportunities to connect with your kids, spark their imaginations, and create lasting memories. And honestly, there’s nothing better than seeing their faces light up when they proudly show off their latest masterpiece.
So, as the days get shorter and the evenings cozier, I hope you’ll try out some of these ideas. Whether you’re making suncatchers for your windows, stamping apples, or crafting silly leaf puppets, one thing’s for sure: you’re in for some quality time and a whole lot of fun. Happy crafting!
