As summer fades away and the leaves start to change colors, it’s the perfect time to embrace the cozy and creative spirit of fall. And what better way to do that than with some fun and easy DIY crafts for kids? Not only will these projects keep your little ones entertained, but they also make great decorations for the season. In this post, we’ve rounded up the 30 best DIY fall crafts for kids, from leaf-themed activities to pumpkin-inspired projects.
- Leafy Hedgehogs by Little Fish Blog
Collect fallen leaves and glue them onto a hedgehog-shaped cutout. Kids can enjoy making these cute creatures with different colored and shaped leaves for spines.
- Pumpkin Seed Mosaic by Mini Monets and Mommies
After carving pumpkins, clean and dry the seeds. Children can then use these seeds to create mosaic art on cardboard cutouts, making for a fantastic texture exploration.
- Autumn Leaf Mason Jars by Sugar Bee Crafts
Coat the outside of Mason jars with glue and cover them with collected Autumn leaves. Once dry, place a tea light inside for a cozy, glowing decoration.
- Pine Cone Owls by Econo Crafts
Decorate pine cones with felt, cotton balls, and googly eyes to create adorable owl figures. This craft encourages creativity and fine motor skill development.
- Apple Stamping by There’s just One Mommy
Cut apples in half and use them as stamps with paint on paper. This simple and fun activity is great for young children to create patterned artwork.
- Pumpkin Spice Playdough by Small + Friendly
Make homemade playdough with a pumpkin spice scent. Mixing the dough is a sensory activity, and playing with it builds strength and dexterity in little hands.
- Leaf Suncatchers by Artful Parent
Arrange colorful fall leaves between two sheets of contact paper and hang them in the window to catch the sun. This project beautifully displays the unique colors and shapes of fall leaves.
- Corn Husk Dolls by Felt Magnet
Using dried corn husks, create traditional dolls that can be customized with fabric scraps and yarn. It’s a fantastic way to explore history and culture while crafting.
- Twig Rafts by Family-Budgeting
Gather small twigs and tie them together to form a tiny raft, then float it in a stream or bathtub. This craft teaches basic engineering and appreciation for natural materials.
- Felt Acorn Necklaces by Cottage on Bunker Hill
Create acorns from felt and glue them onto caps, then string them for charming autumn necklaces. Kids will love wearing their handcrafted jewelry.
- Leaf Rubbings by Artful Parent
Place leaves under paper and rub them with crayons to reveal their intricate patterns. This classic activity is mesmerizing and educational, showing the details of different leaves.
- Cardboard Tube Scarecrows by Crafts by Amanda
Turn cardboard tubes into friendly scarecrows with fabric scraps and straw. This upcycling project fosters imagination and teaches resourcefulness.
- Paper Plate Owl by Our Potluck Family
Use paper plates, paint, and feathers to craft colorful owl decorations. It’s a simple project that allows for lots of creativity in designing their unique plumage.
- Pinecone Bird Feeders by One Little Project
Coat pine cones in peanut butter and roll them in birdseed, then hang them outside to feed the birds. Kids will love watching the birds enjoy their handmade feeders.
- Burlap Leaf Bags by Fox Hollow Cottage
Sew simple burlap sacks and have kids paint them with leaf patterns for unique fall storage or gift bags. This project introduces basic sewing and painting skills.
- Handprint Tree by Make and Takes
Using paint, help kids stamp their handprints onto paper to create a colorful autumn tree. It’s a personal and touching way to record their growth.
- Nature Walk Bracelets by Sparkle Stories
Wrap sticky tape around wrists, sticky side out, during a nature walk. Kids can adhere small leaves, seeds, and flowers they find, creating natural jewelry.
- Yarn Wrapped Pumpkins by Cottage on Bunker Hill
Wrap yarn around small pumpkins, securing it in place with glue for a textural decoration. This activity is soothing and produces eye-catching results.
- Potato Print Ghosts by My Mommy Style
Cut potatoes into ghost shapes and dip them in white paint to create spooky art. This craft is perfect for Halloween-themed fun.
- Fabric Scrap Pumpkins by Tea and a Sewing Machine
Stuff fabric scraps into orange plastic bags and tie them to resemble pumpkins. Adding green pipe cleaner stems finishes off the look for cute, no-carve pumpkins.
- Fall Leaf Wreaths by The Happier Home Maker
Glue or staple fall leaves to a paper plate with the center cut out, creating a beautiful seasonal wreath. It’s a wonderful way to bring the beauty of fall indoors.
- Puzzle Piece Trees by Meaningful Mama
Paint puzzle pieces green and glue them onto a tree-shaped paper to mimic leaves. This is a smart way to repurpose old puzzles and make a creative art piece.
- Cinnamon Dough Ornaments by Whole Fully
Mix cinnamon and applesauce to create dough for cut-out ornaments. After drying, they can be hung up and will scent the room subtly with spice.
- Button Pumpkins by Sugar Bee Crafts
Glue orange buttons onto paper in the shape of a pumpkin. This project is great for fine motor skills and uses up loose buttons creatively.
- Clay Leaf Impressions by Happiness is Home Made
Roll out clay and press leaves into it to create detailed impressions. Once dried, these can be painted for a lasting fall decoration.
- Paper Twig Trees by Happy Hooligans
Glue real twigs onto paper and add colorful leaves with paint or paper. This project combines textures and colors for a striking piece of art.
- Rock Painting by Run Wild my Child
Find smooth stones and paint them with fall themes, such as leaves, acorns, or animals. It’s a fun way to decorate the garden or to use as paperweights.
- Washi Tape Pumpkins by My Family Thyme
Decorate mini pumpkins with washi tape in various patterns for a mess-free decoration project. This allows for endless creativity and an easy cleanup.
- Leaf Pattern Crowns by Discovering a New
Measure a strip of paper to fit around a child’s head and decorate it with glued-on leaves for a regal autumn crown. It’s a fun and simple project that makes for great photo opportunities.
- Sock Scarecrows by Pink Stripey Socks
Fill a sock with rice or beans and tie off the top to create a scarecrow head. Add fabric clothes and draw on faces to bring the character to life.
Autumn is the perfect time to get creative and have fun with your kids. These 30 fall crafts are not only enjoyable but also promote learning and development. From nature-inspired activities like leaf rubbings to traditional crafts like corn husk dolls, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. So grab some materials and let your imagination run wild with these easy