Fun & Easy DIY Fall Crafts for Kids to Make This Autumn

Autumn brings a perfect opportunity to engage kids in hands-on activities that celebrate the season’s colors and themes. These 12 DIY fall crafts are designed to be simple and enjoyable, making them suitable for children of various ages. Whether working with paper pumpkins, turkey crafts, or leaf art, kids can develop creativity while exploring the spirit of fall.

These projects are easy to complete using common materials, making them ideal for classroom use, family time, or holiday celebrations. The crafts encourage fine motor skills and imagination without requiring extensive preparation or supplies. This ensures every autumn afternoon can become a fun, productive experience filled with seasonal charm.

Top 12 Creative Fall Crafts for Kids

These fall craft projects use simple materials and seasonal themes to engage children in hands-on creativity. The activities include making colorful paper pumpkins, exploring leaf art, crafting whimsical owls, and assembling fun scarecrows. Each craft is designed to be easy, enjoyable, and suitable for various ages.

Paper Pumpkins

Paper pumpkins are a classic fall craft that blends simplicity with festive charm. Using orange construction paper, scissors, glue, and green pipe cleaners, kids cut strips of paper to form pumpkin shapes. The process teaches fine motor skills through cutting and assembling.

Adding details like leaves or stems with green paper or pipe cleaners adds dimension to the craft. Paper pumpkins can be used as decorations, place settings for Thanksgiving, or part of a larger autumn display. This project requires minimal materials and supervision, making it ideal for both classroom and home settings.

Leaf Art and Painting

Leaf art uses the natural beauty of fall foliage to inspire creativity. Kids gather different shaped leaves outdoors, which they can paint or use as stencils for colorful designs. Using tempera or acrylic paint, children create textured patterns by either stamping leaves or tracing their outlines.

Leaf collages are another popular project, where leaves are glued onto paper to create pictures or abstract designs. This activity introduces children to the diversity of leaf shapes and colors while encouraging observation and sensory skills. Leaf art is a versatile craft that can be as simple or detailed as needed.

Owl Craft Projects

Owl crafts capture the whimsical spirit of autumn and woodland themes. Common materials include paper plates, googly eyes, feathers, and construction paper. Kids assemble these pieces into owl shapes, focusing on layering feathers and creating facial features.

These crafts offer opportunities for learning about owls’ role in nature alongside hands-on skill development. Owl crafts vary from simple masks to more detailed models, making them adaptable for different age groups. The use of natural materials alongside craft supplies enhances the tactile experience for children.

Scarecrow Craft Ideas

Scarecrow crafts combine creativity with traditional fall imagery. Children often build scarecrows using materials like fabric scraps, paper rolls, and markers. They can decorate with yarn for hair, button eyes, and drawn-on smiles to personalize their creations.

This activity encourages imaginative play and may introduce basic sewing or gluing techniques, depending on the craft complexity. Scarecrows serve as both decorative items and thematic symbols for autumn festivals or classroom lessons. The project supports using recycled or household items, emphasizing sustainability in crafting.

Pumpkin-Themed DIY Projects

These pumpkin-themed crafts use simple, accessible materials to create festive decorations that engage children’s creativity. Each project varies in technique and texture, making them ideal for a range of skill levels and interests.

Tissue Paper Pumpkin

This craft requires tissue paper, glue, and a balloon or round base. Children tear or cut orange tissue paper into small pieces and layer them over the sticky surface to form the pumpkin’s shape.

Once dry, the base is popped or removed, leaving a textured, colorful pumpkin. Adding a green paper or pipe cleaner stem completes the look. This technique promotes fine motor skills and color recognition, making it a popular easy fall craft for kids.

Paper Pumpkin Faces

Using construction paper or cardstock, kids cut out pumpkin shapes and decorate them with facial features using markers, glue, and scraps of paper.

They can create traditional jack-o’-lantern faces or invent friendly, whimsical expressions. This project encourages creative expression while practicing cutting and gluing skills, fitting well into classroom crafts or quick home projects.

Yarn Pumpkins

Yarn pumpkins are made by wrapping orange yarn around balloon forms or cardboard templates until a dense shape forms. After shaping, the form is deflated or discarded.

Details such as stems and leaves are added using green yarn or felt. This approach combines crafting with texture exploration and is flexible for both beginners and more experienced children, ranking it among easy fall crafts that offer tactile fun.

Leaf and Nature-Inspired Art

Using natural materials like leaves adds texture and color to autumn crafts for kids. These projects encourage creativity and fine motor skills by combining simple techniques with accessible supplies.

Salt Painting Leaves

Salt painting on leaves creates a vibrant, raised texture that highlights their natural shapes and patterns. Children start by brushing glue over a dry leaf’s surface, then sprinkling coarse salt evenly. Once dried, watercolors are gently applied with a brush. The salt absorbs the paint, creating a striking, crystallized effect that enhances fall colors.

Parents or teachers should prepare a drying area for these delicate pieces. The process is great for sensory exploration and can be done indoors on a cozy afternoon. The final results make lovely seasonal decorations or gifts.

Leaf Bowl Craft

A leaf bowl is a practical and decorative fall craft using real leaves and papier-mâché techniques. Kids select colorful autumn leaves and arrange them over an inverted bowl, securing each leaf with a layer of glue or papier-mâché paste. Once dry, the hardened form peels off, creating a bowl-shaped leaf mold.

This craft introduces children to shaping and layering materials. It’s ideal for older kids who can handle drying times and detailed assembly. The resulting bowl can hold small treasures like acorns or pinecones, making it a functional keepsake.

Handprint Leaf Wreath

Combining handprints with autumn leaf shapes makes a personalized wreath that celebrates the season. Children trace and cut out handprints from colored paper in fall hues like orange, red, and yellow. These hand-shaped leaves are then glued in a circular pattern onto a base ring made of cardboard or foam.

This project promotes color recognition and pattern arrangement. It’s especially suitable for group activities in classrooms or family craft nights. The wreath brightens entryways or living spaces while showcasing individual creativity within a fall theme.

Owl and Woodland Animal Crafts

This section highlights two autumn-themed craft projects featuring woodland creatures. These activities combine basic materials with simple steps, making them ideal for children to practice cutting, coloring, and gluing.

Paper Plate Owl

The paper plate owl craft is a classic fall activity that uses a plain paper plate as the base. Children paint the plate brown or orange to mimic owl feathers and then add distinct features like large googly eyes and a triangular beak made from colored paper or foam.

To create the owl’s wings, cut shapes from additional paper plates or construction paper and attach them on each side of the main plate. Adding layered paper feathers around the edges builds texture and dimension. This craft encourages fine motor skills and creativity while producing a charming fall decoration.

Materials needed typically include:

• Paper plates
• Paint or markers
• Googly eyes
• Colored paper or foam
• Glue and scissors

Hedgehog Leaf Art

Hedgehog leaf art uses real autumn leaves to form the animal’s body, making it a seasonal and nature-inspired craft. Children collect assorted fallen leaves, arranging them to resemble a hedgehog’s spines, with the body’s outline drawn or cut from sturdy paper.

Smaller leaves or paper cutouts create the face and feet. Glue secures each piece, and additional details like eyes and a nose are added with markers or stickers. This project promotes an appreciation of natural textures while integrating fall’s colorful foliage.

The key materials are:

• A variety of collected leaves
• Paper for body outline
• Glue
• Markers or stickers for facial features

Scarecrow and Harvest Creations

These projects focus on creating friendly scarecrows and festive farm-themed crafts using simple materials. Each craft combines colorful design with hands-on assembly, making them accessible for children to enjoy and display during the fall season.

Clothespin Scarecrow

The clothespin scarecrow craft uses wooden clothespins as the main structure. Kids paint the peg to create a cheerful face, adding details like rosy cheeks and a stitched smile with markers or paint. A small piece of fabric or paper cut into a hat completes the look.

To assemble, children glue tiny pieces of straw or yarn around the neck area for a “straw-filled” effect. This craft helps develop fine motor skills and creativity and makes a great small decoration for desks or shelves.

Paper Plate Scarecrow

The paper plate scarecrow is easy and inexpensive, utilizing basic craft materials. Children paint or color the plate for the face and add cut-out features like eyes, nose, and mouth from construction paper.

A triangle-shaped hat or a band of colorful paper adds character. Torn tissue paper or craft foam can be glued around the edges to simulate hair or straw. This craft is perfect for classrooms due to its simplicity and visual appeal.

Farm Animal Crafts

Farm-themed crafts complement scarecrow projects by introducing animals associated with harvest time. Popular options include paper or cardstock chickens, pigs, and cows.

Materials such as popsicle sticks, cotton balls, and googly eyes are used to add texture and fun details. These crafts are not only decorative but can teach children about farm life and animal sounds while encouraging imaginative play.

Fun Fall Sports and Thanksgiving Activities

These activities combine creativity and active play, encouraging kids to engage with traditional fall themes in hands-on ways. They work well for a range of settings, from home craft sessions to classroom celebrations.

Paper Football Game

Paper football is a simple, classic game that kids can easily make and play indoors. It requires folding a piece of paper into a triangular shape, which acts as the “football.” Players then flick the paper football across a table, aiming to score by getting it to hang over the edge without falling off.

This game promotes fine motor skills and friendly competition. It also requires minimal materials—just paper and a flat surface—making it accessible and quick to set up.

To expand the fun, kids can decorate their footballs with autumn colors or themes. Scoring rules can be adapted to keep the game engaging for different age groups, such as adding extra points for tricky shots or multiple rounds.

Turkey Crafts

Turkey crafts remain a staple for fall, especially around Thanksgiving. They often involve using colorful paper, feathers, or recycled materials to create simple turkey figures.

Children enjoy making these crafts because they can personalize their turkeys with various textures and colors. Common versions include handprint turkeys, which turn a child’s hand outline into the bird’s body and feathers.

Turkey crafts foster creativity and fine motor development. They can be used as decorations or as part of a lesson on Thanksgiving traditions. Including elements like googly eyes or cotton ball tails enhances sensory experience and interest.

Corn and Acorn Projects

Corn and acorn crafts highlight natural elements associated with autumn harvest. These projects typically use real or paper-crafted kernels and acorn shapes to create decorations or art pieces.

One popular project involves gluing kernels or small beads onto paper to form corn cobs, teaching children about textures and patterns. Acorn crafts often incorporate pine cones, brown paper, or felt to mimic the unique shapes of acorns.

These crafts support sensory exploration and add an educational aspect about fall nature. They are ideal as table centerpieces or classroom displays, connecting kids with seasonal changes through tactile activities.

Tips for Successful Autumn Crafting with Kids

Planning craft activities that fit the kids’ skills, materials, and display options makes the experience more enjoyable and stress-free. Selecting suitable projects, using accessible supplies, and showcasing creations thoughtfully help keep kids engaged and proud of their work.

Choosing Age-Appropriate Projects

Craft projects should match children’s developmental levels and fine motor skills to prevent frustration. For toddlers and preschoolers, simple activities like gluing leaves onto paper or painting pumpkins use large, easy-to-manage steps.

Older kids can handle more detailed projects such as cutting intricate leaf shapes, assembling paper turkeys, or weaving yarn into autumn décor. Break complex tasks into smaller steps and offer clear, visual instructions to support success.

Adjust expectations based on attention span and skill. Always supervise activities involving scissors, glue guns, or small parts to ensure safety and a positive crafting experience.

Using Natural and Recycled Materials

Incorporating natural items like leaves, acorns, and pinecones adds authentic texture and color while teaching kids about seasonal changes. Collect materials during outdoor walks to connect crafting with nature.

Recycled supplies such as old newspapers, cardboard, and scrap fabric reduce waste and encourage creativity by repurposing everyday items. Using these materials is cost-efficient and introduces resourcefulness in crafting.

Prepare materials ahead of time by washing, drying, or trimming as needed. Provide child-safe adhesives and tools to work with these varied textures and shapes effectively.

Display and Decoration Ideas

Showcasing children’s crafts boosts their confidence and enhances home or classroom atmosphere. Use string or yarn to create garlands from paper leaves or pumpkins that can be hung across walls or windows.

Clipboards, frames, or magnets offer flexible ways to display rotating artwork while protecting it. Designate a “craft corner” or shelf for 3D projects like decorated pinecones or turkeys made from paper and felt.

Consider grouping crafts by theme or color to create cohesive fall vignettes. Encourage children to help arrange displays, giving them ownership of the creative space.