Put those leaves, acorns, and fall colors to perfect use
After months of sweltering temps, we wouldn’t be shocked to hear you’re looking forward to fall. Celebrate the season of pumpkin spice, snuggly sweaters, and golden leaves by making a cornucopia of fun fall crafts with your kids. We’ve rounded up a huge list of autumn-appropriate arts and crafts that’ll keep you going all season long. Happy crafting!
Fall Crafts for Toddlers and Preschool Kids
Mud Monsters
How cool is this idea? Your kids can make a new creature every time, and it makes for a great outdoor activity when the fall weather is just right.
Watercolor Leaf Craft
This watercolor fall craft is super easy and the results are stunning! Snag a white crayon, paper, paint, and head outside to pick their leaf design.
Abstract Leaf Art
If your pint-sized Picasso was obsessed with the negative space leaf print, give this one from Mini Monets and Mommies a try too. It starts with the same idea (using the leaves to make negative space paintings) but adds an overlapping, abstract art aspect to it. Try it using fall colors or use a rainbow of hues. It’s totally your child’s choice.
Apple Pom Pom Fall Craft
This simple art project is perfect for toddlers and preschool kids. No fancy supplies are needed and zero artistic ability is required from parents!
Sweet Suncatcher Pumpkin
It’s a jack-o'lantern that will glow all day. Decorate the windows with a vibrant “stained-glass” pumpkin. Check out the how-to at Crafts on Sea.
Corn Husk Paintbrushes
Have you ever had a delish corn feast and then been left with a bunch of husks? You’re in luck because with this clever idea from Pink Stripey Socks you can whip up some DIY brushes and paint the day away.
Handprint Spiders
Let the kids lend a hand (or two) to create these adorable arachnids from Fun at Home with Kids. Make a new one every year to document growth! Crawl over to the blog for materials and instructions.
Fancy Feather Painting
Art time can be as easy as a duck taking to the water. Farm feathers paired with paint, paper, tray, and tape let your little birds find their inner Picasso. Find out more from Allison over at No Time For Flashcards.
Corn-y Art
Roll with a little messiness on this colorful creation from Things to Share and Remember. Pluck field corn, add orange, brown, and yellow paint, and let your little farmhand get to it!
Veggie-tastic Art
Let them play with their veggies (maybe they’ll eat more too!). Grab green paint, chop a flat surface on celery, brussels sprouts (or other pulled up crops), then stamp and stomp until the cows come home. Artful inspiration from Chelsey over at Buggy and Buddy.
Apple Print Craft
Who needs a paintbrush anyways? Paint, an apple, and oh-so-much fun! This is one that you might remember from way back when you were a tot, too. Head over to Simple Fun for Kids for … well, some simple fun for kids. Literally.
A is for Apple
Explore textures and more with this artsy apple activity! Take a look at how Crafts on Sea turned paper plates into fab fruit.
Not Quite Grandma’s Apple Pie
If your kiddos are looking for pretend play awesomeness, this craft from The Best Ideas for Kids is pretty rad. Now we're just going to need some real apple pie to go along with it.
Cork Apple Painting
So you say you’ve got a cork or two sitting around? Put them to use, and try out this perfect-for-preschoolers fall apple art activity from The Gingerbread House. This easy art activity lets kids explore printmaking without having to take a college class in some sort of complicated medium. No screens, pricey tools, or expert knowledge are required.
Apple Tree Craft
Sometimes you just can’t grow your own apple tree. In case your mini Johnny Appleseed is interested in trees, this activity from Crafts on Sea lets them explore in a creative, crafty way.
Sparkly Apple
A little sparkle is always welcome. Seriously. If your kiddo is obsessed with everything that shines, you know all about how inviting materials such as sequins or glitter can be. This art activity brings the sparkle—in spades. Get the steps to creating a crafty, and super-shiny apple from What Can We Do with Paper and Glue.
Negative Space Leaf Craft
Kids can get artsy with negative space. And, of course, fall leaves. Okay, so you’re not really making art out of leaves. Your child is actually making art out of the absence of the leaves. Of course, if your creative kid wants to keep the leaves she’ll remove from her negative space painting, she can always collage them onto another piece of paper or hang them together with yarn to make a garland. Get the full instructions from Mini Monets and Mommies.
Autumn Leaf People
Turn fall leaves into adorable little autumn friends with this cute craft. Inspire hours of pretend play (or at least an afternoon of it) with these puppet-like people who are made out of leaves. Get the complete how-to from Thimble & Twig.
Footprint Bunting
Put your left (and right) foot in to create this adorable party decor from Mama.Papa.Bubba. From ghosts to cats, candy corn and more, let the kids decorate each footprint as their favorite Halloween characters. Take a stroll over to the blog for the how-to.
Crafty Critters
Lois Ehlert’s beloved children’s book Leaf Man is the autumn-y inspiration behind this these creative little creatures. Your little artist can use fall leaves to create almost any type of fall friend that she can imagine. Get the deets at Powerful Mothering.
Related: 27 Adorable Toddler Crafts You Can Pull Out Anytime
Fall Crafts for Older Kids
Forest Friends
Your child can create furry woodland friends—using leaves! This fab fall craft is ideal for kids who are into learning about animals, or for any child who just loves to create. Learn how your crafty kid can make these adorable creations at Handmade Charlotte.
Popsicle Scarecrow
If you’re looking for a way to use up all those popsicle sticks you bought that one time for that one thing, this fall craft for kids is perfect. You don’t need too many extra supplies, and the results are super cute. Get the tutorial over at Crafty Morning.
Watercolor Fall Leaf Wreath
How pretty is this wreath from Happiness Is Homemade? Your kids will be amazed when you help them transform their watercolors into a gorgeous fall decor piece.
Crafty Bats
These happy nocturnal creatures are the perfect Halloween decor for your bat cave. You might even have everything you need lying around the house, too! Fly over to the tutorial at Buggy and Buddy.
Feed the Birds
Are your kids up for a little bird watching? Well, you need to attract the local flying wildlife to your yard. The kids can use fresh fruit to make a feeder that the birds will totally enjoy. Visit Mothering with Mindfulness to learn how to create your own.
Halloween Rock Magnets
This rockin’ craft from This Heart of Mine is perfect for hanging your little monster's artwork on the fridge. Check out the how-to and make a set of your favorite creatures.
Mum-pkin
This Mummy Pumpkin from The Everyday Home is hauntingly cute. Perfect for trick-or-treating or outdoor decor, have your mini-mummies create their own faces for a fun pre-candy collecting project.
Simple Suncatcher
Let the light shine in! Even though it’s fall, that doesn’t mean the sun is suddenly hiding behind a storm of clouds. Hey, it’s still there. And it’s streaming through your windows. Take advantage of the bright light and try this suncatcher leaf craft from Sloely.
Colorful Crowns
It’s time for princess or prince pretend play. Your child can magically transform into autumn royalty with this maple leaf crown craft. Learn about this imaginative autumn art activity at Twig and Toadstool.
Leafy Lantern
Magically transform a mason jar into a light-up lantern. This oh-so-cute craft is the perfect way to dress up your dining room table or illuminate a family fall party. Get the how-to steps from Chasing Supermom.
