Celebrate autumn with 35 easy fall crafts for kids. These cute leaf, apple, pumpkin, scarecrow, and woodland crafts use simple supplies and include ideas for toddlers, preschoolers, and older kids.
Hi beauties! If you are looking for easy fall crafts for kids, you are in the right place! Autumn is the perfect season to gather colorful leaves, pull out the construction paper, and spend a cozy afternoon creating something sweet with your little ones.
These autumn craft ideas are perfect for toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarteners, and older kids. Most use inexpensive supplies you may already have at home, such as paper plates, glue sticks, washable paint, yarn and cardboard rolls. There are plenty of low-mess options for busy parents, too!
From fall leaf art and apple crafts to cheerful pumpkins, scarecrows and woodland animals, there is something here for every little crafter. These projects are seasonal without being spooky, but you can also browse my easy Halloween crafts for kids when you are ready for ghosts, bats and jack-o'-lanterns. For an even easier autumn activity, print a few of my cozy fall coloring pages.
Easy Fall Crafts for Kids
Fall crafting does not need to involve an expensive supply list or a complicated setup. Some of the prettiest projects begin with leaves, pinecones, twigs, and acorns collected during a family nature walk.
I rounded up 35 cute and simple fall crafts for kids, including nature crafts, paper projects, toddler-friendly painting ideas, and decorations you can display throughout the season. Choose one for a rainy afternoon, classroom activity, playdate or cozy weekend at home.
Fall Craft Supplies to Have on Hand
You do not need every item on this list, but keeping a small bin of basic supplies ready makes spontaneous craft time much easier:
- Construction paper and cardstock
- Paper plates
- Cardboard tubes
- Brown paper bags
- Glue sticks and white craft glue
- Washable paint
- Paintbrushes and sponge brushes
- Kid-safe scissors
- Crayons and washable markers
- Tissue paper
- Contact paper
- Coffee filters
- Yarn and twine
- Popsicle sticks
- Pom-poms
- Googly eyes
- Pipe cleaners
- Clear tape
- Leaves, twigs, pinecones and acorns
Choose washable, non-toxic supplies and supervise young children around scissors, small craft pieces, and natural materials. Adults should handle any hot glue, cutting tools, or staplers required for preparation.
35 Easy Fall Crafts for Kids
1. Tissue Paper Fall Tree
Draw or print a simple tree trunk on cardstock, then let kids crumple small pieces of red, orange, yellow, and rust tissue paper. Glue the pieces around the branches to create a full autumn canopy.
This is one of the easiest fall crafts for toddlers because tearing and crumpling the paper is part of the fun. Prepare larger paper pieces and use a glue stick to make the activity easier and less messy.
2. Handprint Fall Tree
Trace your child's hand and forearm onto brown paper to create the trunk and branches. Cut out the shape, glue it onto a white background and add painted fingerprints or paper circles for the colorful leaves.
Write the child's name and year at the bottom so the finished tree becomes a seasonal keepsake. Younger children may need an adult to trace and cut the handprint.
3. Q-Tip Painted Autumn Tree
Start with a bare tree drawn on thick paper. Dip cotton swabs into red, orange, yellow and brown washable paint, then dab clusters of tiny leaves around the branches.
Kids can use one cotton swab for each color or bundle several together with an elastic band to make larger clusters. This simple painting technique is especially good for preschoolers practicing fine motor control.
4. Bubble Wrap Fall Tree Painting
Paint a simple brown trunk on paper, then add washable fall colors to a clean piece of bubble wrap. Gently press the painted side over the branches and lift it away to reveal a textured autumn tree.
Use a small piece of bubble wrap for individual trees or a larger sheet for collaborative classroom art. Let kids layer several colors for a full, natural-looking canopy.
5. Classic Leaf Rubbings
Collect flat leaves in several shapes and place them vein-side up beneath a sheet of white paper. Remove the paper wrapper from a crayon and rub the side of it gently over each leaf until its shape and texture appear.
Layer red, orange, gold and brown rubbings to make a full autumn collage. This low-mess fall craft is easy to set up at home, in a classroom or during quiet time.
6. Fall Leaf Suncatchers
Cut a large leaf outline from cardstock and add clear contact paper behind the opening. Kids can cover the sticky center with small pieces of fall-colored tissue paper before sealing it with a second piece of contact paper.
Hang the finished leaf in a sunny window to make the warm colors glow. Adults can prepare the cardstock frame ahead of time for toddlers and younger preschoolers.
7. Coffee Filter Fall Leaves
Color round coffee filters with washable markers in red, orange, yellow, and rust. Lightly mist them with water so the colors blend, then let them dry completely before cutting out leaf shapes.
Tape the leaves to a window or attach them to twine for an airy fall garland. Place a tray or washable mat underneath while the filters are wet because the colors may bleed through.
8. Painted Leaf Garland
Collect sturdy fallen leaves and press them beneath a few heavy books until flat. Decorate them with washable paint, simple dots or metallic marker details, then clip them along a piece of twine.
If your leaves are too brittle, trace their shapes onto cardstock and decorate the paper versions instead. The completed garland looks adorable across a playroom shelf, classroom board or child's bedroom window.
9. Leaf Animal Collages
Arrange fallen leaves into foxes, owls, butterflies, fish or funny little creatures. Glue the leaves onto cardstock and add paper eyes, drawn legs, and other simple details.
There is no single correct way to create a leaf animal, which makes this a lovely open-ended art activity. Invite kids to study the shapes first and decide what each leaf reminds them of.
10. Paper Leaf Wreath
Cut the center from a paper plate to create a wreath base. Add paper leaves in warm autumn colors, overlapping each one slightly until the plate is covered.
Finish the wreath with a loop of ribbon or yarn and hang it on a bedroom door. Toddlers can use pre-cut leaves, while older children can trace and cut their own unique shapes.
11. Apple Stamp Fall Tree
Have an adult cut an apple in half and blot the cut surface with a paper towel. Dip it lightly into washable paint and stamp it around a paper tree trunk to create clusters of rounded autumn leaves.
Try red, orange and yellow paint or use green and red to make an apple tree. A shallow plate of paint helps prevent too much paint from collecting on the stamp.
12. Paper Plate Apple Craft
Paint a paper plate red, green or yellow and allow it to dry. Add a brown paper stem, green leaf and a few black paper seeds to turn it into an oversized apple.
For extra dimension, remove a curved section from each side before painting to create a classic apple shape. This simple fall craft works especially well for toddlers and preschoolers.
13. Yarn-Wrapped Cardboard Apples
Cut an apple shape from recycled cardboard and make a few small notches around the edge. Kids can wrap red, green or yellow yarn around the cardboard, tucking the yarn into the notches as they work.
Add a paper stem and leaf when the apple is covered. Wrapping the yarn helps children practice coordination and creates a cozy, textured decoration without paint.
14. Fork-Painted Apple Tree
Draw a tree trunk and branches on heavy paper. Dip the back of a plastic fork into washable paint and press it around the tree to make clusters of tiny leaves or apples.
Use fall colors for an autumn tree or red and green for an apple orchard scene. Kids can add fallen leaves beneath the tree and a paper basket filled with apples.
15. Paper Strip Pumpkins
Cut orange cardstock into equal strips and fasten the ends together to create a rounded pumpkin shape. Add a brown paper stem and a curled green pipe-cleaner vine at the top.
Adults can handle the stapler, or the strips can be secured using strong tape. Make pumpkins in several sizes and group them together for a sweet little paper pumpkin patch.
16. Sponge-Painted Pumpkins
Cut a clean kitchen sponge into a simple pumpkin shape and dip it into orange washable paint. Or you can buy pumpkin sponges here!
Stamp pumpkins across white or kraft paper, then add stems, leaves, and curling vines after the paint dries. Keep the pumpkins plain and cheerful so the picture can stay up all autumn. This is an easy process-art activity for younger children who enjoy stamping and repeating shapes.
17. Pumpkin Seed Mosaic
Wash and dry pumpkin seeds, then color them with washable paint. Draw a pumpkin, leaf or simple fall pattern on cardstock and glue the seeds inside the outline like tiny mosaic tiles.
This craft is best for older preschoolers and school-aged children because the seeds are small. Supervise closely and keep loose seeds away from babies and toddlers.
18. Paper Plate Sunflower
Paint a paper plate golden yellow and glue paper petals around its edge. Fill the center with torn brown paper, brown pom-poms, or fingerprint dots to create the sunflower's textured center.
Add a green paper stem and leaves if you want to display the flower upright. A group of finished sunflowers makes a bright classroom bulletin board or playroom wall display.
19. Paper Bag Scarecrow Puppet
Turn a brown lunch bag into a friendly scarecrow by adding a paper hat, yarn hair, rosy cheeks and a patchwork shirt. Draw a happy face on the folded flap so the mouth moves when the puppet opens.
Set out paper scraps in different colors and patterns so every scarecrow looks unique. Once the glue dries, kids can use their puppets for stories and pretend play.
20. Bubble Wrap Corn Craft
Cut a corn shape from yellow cardstock and stamp it with a small piece of bubble wrap dipped in yellow, cream, and orange paint. Add long green paper husks along each side.
The dotted print looks like rows of colorful kernels and gives the craft plenty of texture. Use a clothespin to hold the bubble wrap if kids do not want paint on their fingers.
21. Cardboard Roll Owl
Fold the top edges of a cardboard tube inward to form two pointed owl ears. Paint or cover the tube with paper, then add large eyes, a small beak, wings, and feather details.
Try warm brown and cream shades or let kids invent colorful woodland owls. Stand several together on a shelf or add string to turn them into hanging decorations.
22. Pinecone Owl
Use a clean, dry pinecone as the owl's body. Add cardstock eyes, a tiny triangle beak, and paper or felt wings, securing the pieces with craft glue.
An adult may need to use stronger glue if the pieces do not stay in place. Make a whole owl family and display them with twigs and autumn leaves for a miniature woodland scene.
23. Paper Plate Fox
Paint a paper plate orange and fold or trim the sides to create a pointed fox face. Add white paper cheeks, triangle ears, a black nose and bright eyes.
Older children can add yarn whiskers or painted details, while toddlers can assemble pre-cut shapes. This cute woodland animal fits beautifully with an autumn nature theme.
24. Leaf Hedgehog Collage
Cut a simple hedgehog face and body from tan paper. Glue pointed autumn leaves behind the body so they fan outward like colorful quills.
Finish with a black nose, eye and tiny feet. If real leaves are unavailable, trace leaves onto patterned paper or use hand-cut cardstock shapes.
25. Paper Bag Squirrel Puppet
Cover a small paper bag with brown or rust-colored paper and add ears, paws, a face and a large curled tail. A paper acorn in the squirrel's paws adds an extra fall detail.
Use the finished puppet for woodland stories or a simple fall-themed puppet show. Children can personalize their squirrels with spots, stripes or tiny paper scarves.
26. Acorn Cap Picture Art
Collect loose acorn caps and glue them onto sturdy cardboard to fill a simple leaf, tree, or initial outline. Leave them natural or paint a few in muted fall colors before attaching them.
Because acorn caps are small, this project is best for school-aged kids with adult supervision. A small frame around the finished design turns it into sweet handmade autumn decor.
27. Pinecone Bird Feeder
Tie sturdy string around the top of a pinecone, then cover it with a school-safe seed butter or another allergy-aware spread. Roll the pinecone in birdseed and hang it outside on a secure branch.
Place a tray beneath the work area to catch loose seeds. Children can observe visiting birds afterward and draw the different species they notice.
28. Fall Nature Crown
Cut a long strip of cardstock that fits comfortably around the child's head. Glue or tape on pressed leaves, paper acorns and small lightweight nature treasures before fastening the ends together.
Avoid sharp twigs or berries that may stain or be unsafe to handle. A paper-only version is an easy alternative for classrooms or rainy days.
29. Twig Picture Frame
Cut a rectangular frame from sturdy cardboard and glue short twigs around its edges. Add a few paper leaves, acorn drawings or yarn details for extra autumn color.
Place a favorite family photo or the child's fall artwork behind the opening. An adult should trim the twigs and assist with any strong glue needed to hold them securely.
30. Pressed Leaf Bookmark
Arrange small pressed leaves between two strips of clear contact paper. Seal the edges firmly, trim the bookmark into a neat rectangle and add a yarn tassel through a hole at the top.
If you prefer a paper version, glue the leaves onto cardstock and cover both sides with clear tape. These bookmarks make sweet gifts for teachers, grandparents or friends.
31. Salt Dough Leaf Impressions
Press clean leaves vein-side down into rolled salt dough, then gently lift them away to reveal the pattern. Cut around each impression and let the pieces dry or bake them with adult help according to your preferred salt dough recipe.
Once fully dry, paint the leaves in soft autumn colors. Salt dough is a craft material and should not be eaten, so supervise young children while they work.
32. Painted Pumpkin Rocks
Choose smooth, clean stones and paint them orange, cream, blush or muted green. Add a small brown stem and simple curved lines to transform each rock into a tiny pumpkin.
Keep the design sweet and seasonal rather than adding Halloween faces. Display the finished pumpkins in a shallow bowl or use them as pretend pieces in a miniature pumpkin patch.
33. Fall Nature Mobile
Tie lengths of yarn to a sturdy branch and attach paper leaves, pinecones, feathers or pressed nature finds at different heights. Add a final loop of string at the top for hanging.
Adults should check that every piece is lightweight and secured well. Hang the mobile out of reach in a playroom, classroom or covered porch where the pieces can move gently.
34. Torn Paper Autumn Landscape
Tear construction paper into strips and shapes to create rolling fields, trees, a sunset, and falling leaves. Layer the pieces on cardstock and glue them down to build a textured autumn landscape.
Because there are no exact shapes to cut, this craft is easy for toddlers and wonderfully open-ended. Older children can add barns, woodland animals or a winding country road.
35. Fall Color Paper Chain
Cut paper into strips in warm autumn colors such as rust, mustard, cranberry, cream, and brown. Form the first strip into a loop, then thread and secure each new strip through the previous one.
Use glue sticks or tape for younger kids and let older children handle a stapler with supervision. Hang the finished chain across a mantel, shelf, or classroom window for an easy homemade fall decoration.
Easy Fall Craft Ideas by Age
Best Fall Crafts for Toddlers
Toddler crafts should have simple steps, large pieces and plenty of room for creativity. Prepare any cutting in advance and focus on stamping, sticking, tearing and washable paint.
Good fall crafts for toddlers include:
- Tissue paper fall trees
- Q-tip painted autumn trees
- Classic leaf rubbings
- Paper plate apples
- Sponge-painted pumpkins
- Torn paper autumn landscapes
Best Fall Crafts for Preschoolers
Preschoolers often enjoy projects that let them paint, glue, sort colors and practice using kid-safe scissors. Keep the finished example nearby for inspiration, but allow their version to look completely unique.
Good fall crafts for preschoolers include:
- Handprint fall trees
- Fall leaf suncatchers
- Apple stamp trees
- Paper leaf wreaths
- Paper bag scarecrows
- Leaf hedgehog collages
Best Fall Crafts for Older Kids
School-aged children may enjoy crafts with more steps or projects they can turn into decorations and gifts. Give them extra patterned paper, yarn and paint so they can personalize each idea.
Good fall crafts for older kids include:
- Painted leaf garlands
- Yarn-wrapped apples
- Pumpkin seed mosaics
- Acorn cap picture art
- Pressed leaf bookmarks
- Salt dough leaf impressions
- Fall nature mobiles
Low-Mess Fall Crafts for Busy Days
If you want an easy autumn activity without a large cleanup, skip the paint and choose paper, crayons, yarn or contact paper. Set out only the supplies needed for that project and place everything on a tray so it is easy to move when craft time is over.
Some of the best low-mess options are:
- Leaf rubbings
- Paper leaf wreaths
- Yarn-wrapped apples
- Paper strip pumpkins
- Cardboard roll owls
- Pressed leaf bookmarks
- Fall color paper chains
You can also print my cozy fall coloring pages when you need a completely no-prep activity.
Tips for Making Fall Crafts With Kids
- Prepare for the child's age. Pre-cut complicated shapes for toddlers while allowing older kids to trace and cut their own.
- Use a shallow tray. A rimmed tray keeps beads, seeds, paper scraps and paint supplies from spreading across the table.
- Embrace imperfect results. The goal is creative time together, not identical finished crafts.
- Collect nature supplies carefully. Choose clean, dry materials and check leaves, pinecones and twigs for dirt or insects before bringing them inside.
- Display their work. Clip crafts to a piece of twine or create a seasonal gallery wall so children can see that their creations are valued.
- Supervise small pieces. Keep seeds, acorns, pom-poms and other choking hazards away from babies and toddlers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Easy fall crafts for kids include leaf rubbings, tissue paper fall trees, paper plate apples, sponge-painted pumpkins, paper bag scarecrows and cardboard roll owls. These projects use simple materials and can be adapted for different ages.
The best fall crafts for toddlers involve large pieces and simple actions such as stamping, sticking, tearing and dabbing paint. Try tissue paper trees, leaf rubbings, paper plate apples, sponge-painted pumpkins or torn paper landscapes with adult preparation and supervision.
Kids can use fall leaves to make rubbings, suncatchers, animal collages, wreaths, garlands, crowns, bookmarks and nature mobiles. Press the leaves first when you need them to lie flat or last longer.
Choose glue sticks instead of liquid glue, place supplies on a rimmed tray and offer only a few materials at a time. Leaf rubbings, paper chains, yarn-wrapped apples and pre-cut paper collages are all good low-mess choices.
Paper plates, cardboard tubes, paper bags, coffee filters, yarn, cereal-box cardboard and construction paper can become pumpkins, apples, trees, owls, scarecrows and wreaths. Reusing household materials also keeps fall craft projects inexpensive.
Yes. Many of these projects work well for classrooms, daycare groups and homeschool activities. Choose crafts with inexpensive supplies and simple steps, prepare small pieces in advance and avoid potential allergens when working with a group.
More Fall Ideas
Once the kids finish crafting, continue the cozy seasonal fun with these free fall coloring pages. You can also browse my collection of fall ideas for autumn printables, decorating inspiration, seasonal recipes and more.
If you feel inspired to make something for your own home, do not miss these easy DIY fall decor ideas. There are plenty of pumpkins, wreaths, garlands, and budget-friendly projects that grown-ups can enjoy, too!
Final Thoughts on These Fall Crafts for Kids
Fall is such a sweet season for slowing down, gathering around the table, and making something together. Whether you choose a five-minute leaf rubbing or a detailed nature mobile, these fall crafts for kids make it easy to celebrate autumn using simple, affordable materials.
I hope this list gives you plenty of inspiration for rainy afternoons, classroom projects, playdates, and cozy weekends at home. Pick your favorite idea, pour something warm, and enjoy a little creative time with your children this season!
Until next time,
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