Bring the season’s colors to life with ideas that spark curiosity and hands-on fun.

Fall arts and crafts for kids offer simple ways to use leaves, textures, and warm shades in activities that feel both playful and calming.

These projects help children stay creative as the weather turns cooler, giving them chances to experiment with shapes, materials, and seasonal themes.

Ideas that fit classrooms, home afternoons, and group sessions, all designed to keep young makers engaged through every step.

Easy Fall Arts and Crafts Ideas for Kids

A collection of simple autumn projects that let kids enjoy hands-on creativity using leaves, colors, and easy materials.

Here are projects focused on shaping, gluing, and painting with materials inspired by fall colors and natural textures:

1. Leaf Rubbing Art

Materials Required: White paper, crayons, assorted leaves

This simple project helps kids notice leaf textures and shapes.

Place a leaf under the paper and lightly rub a crayon over the top to reveal the pattern. Children can mix different leaf types and colors to make a seasonal page filled with soft outlines and warm shades.

It works well for quick classroom activities and early fine-motor practice.

2. Paper Plate Scarecrow

Materials Required: Paper plate, construction paper, markers, glue, yarn or straw pieces

Use a paper plate as the face, then add a hat, nose, and patches with cut paper shapes.

Kids can glue yarn or small straw pieces around the edges for hair. Add facial features with markers and brighten the hat with stickers or doodles.

3. Handprint Fall Tree

Materials Required: Paint, white paper, paintbrush, wipes for cleanup

Paint the child’s hand and forearm to stamp the trunk and branches onto the page.

After it dries, dab paint in warm shades to form leaves. Kids can build layers for fuller branches or keep the tree minimal.

The finished piece captures the season’s tones and creates a keepsake that highlights growth and creativity through a familiar handprint format.

4. Pinecone Owl Craft

Materials Required: Pinecones, felt pieces, googly eyes, glue

Glue felt wings, a beak, and ear tufts to a pinecone, then add googly eyes for expression. Kids can vary colors or make small families of owls.

The pinecone shape gives a sturdy base and brings a nature element into crafting.

5. Stained Glass Pumpkin Craft

Materials Required: Black paper, tissue paper, contact paper, scissors

Cut a pumpkin outline from black paper, leaving open sections. Stick contact paper behind the frame, then place tissue pieces over the sticky surface.

Add a second contact layer to seal it. The finished pumpkin shines beautifully when hung in a window.

6. Fall Collage With Real Leaves

Materials Required: Leaves, glue, paper, optional crayons or markers

Kids collect leaves in different sizes and shades, then arrange them on paper to build scenes or abstract patterns.

Glue everything down and add small details with crayons or markers if desired.

7. Apple Stamping With Paint

Materials Required: Apples cut in half, paint, paper, tray for dipping

Dip halved apples into paint and press them onto paper to create clear fruit-shaped prints.

Kids can add stems, seeds, or faces once the prints dry.

It’s a playful way to combine sensory fun with easy art techniques.

8. Popsicle Stick Pumpkin

Materials Required: Popsicle sticks, orange paint, glue, green paper, marker

Paint several sticks orange and glue them together to form a pumpkin shape. Add a small green paper leaf and draw simple lines to show the pumpkin’s curves.

Kids can also attach a magnet or loop for hanging. This quick craft builds shape recognition and lets children create cheerful decorations that fit well on walls, doors, or fridges.

9. Tissue Paper Fall Wreath

Materials Required: Tissue paper squares, paper plate ring, glue

Cut the center out of a paper plate to form a wreath base.

Kids crumple tissue paper squares and glue them around the ring, mixing warm colors like red, orange, and yellow.

The layered pieces create a fluffy, festive look. This project introduces basic assembling skills and results in a decorative fall wreath that adds color to any space.

10. Felt Acorn Craft

Materials Required: Felt sheets, scissors, glue, optional googly eyes

Cut two felt shapes to form the acorn cap and body, then glue them together. Kids can add small details or even create characters by adding tiny eyes.

Felt is soft and easy to work with, making the craft manageable for young hands.

The finished acorns can be used for garlands, story props, or seasonal displays.

11. Paper Bag Fall Puppet Characters

Materials Required: Paper bags, construction paper, glue, markers

Kids turn plain paper bags into fall-themed puppets by adding faces, hats, scarves, and shapes cut from colored paper.

They can create pumpkins, scarecrows, woodland animals, or leaf creatures.

Once decorated, the puppets become playful storytelling tools. This activity blends creativity with pretend play, giving kids a chance to design characters and use them in simple performances.

12. Fingerprint Pumpkin Patch

Materials Required: Paint, paper, markers, wipes for cleanup

Kids dip their fingertips into paint and press small dots across the page to form tiny pumpkins.

After drying, add stems, vines, and simple details with markers. This craft works well for younger children, allowing them to make a full pumpkin patch with minimal steps.

The repeated fingerprint marks create a cheerful pattern and help strengthen fine motor control.

13. Harvest Corn Painting Using Bubble Wrap

Materials Required: Bubble wrap, paint, paper, scissors

Cut bubble wrap into corn-shaped sections, apply paint, and press onto paper to create a textured print that resembles kernels.

Kids can add husks or shading once it dries. The dotted texture makes the print look lively and adds a sensory element.

It’s a quick, engaging project that introduces stamping techniques while tying in a classic fall harvest theme.

14. Leaf Suncatchers With Contact Paper

Materials Required: Clear contact paper, tissue paper, string, scissors

Cut leaf shapes from contact paper, then let kids place torn tissue pieces across the sticky surface.

Seal with another layer of contact paper and hang near a window. Light shines through the thin layers, making the colors stand out.

This craft is simple to set up and creates bright decorations that work well for fall classrooms and home windows.

15. Corn Husk Doll

Materials Required: Corn husks, string, scissors

Soak husks briefly to soften them, then fold and tie them to shape the head, body, and arms.

Then adjust the layers to form clothing or add small details with markers. The process teaches gentle shaping and tying while connecting to traditional fall crafts.

Each doll turns out slightly different, giving kids room for creative adjustments and simple storytelling.

16. Painted Rock Pumpkins

Materials Required: Smooth rocks, orange paint, markers, optional sealant

Paint rocks orange and let them dry, then draw faces, lines, or patterns with markers.

Make cute pumpkins, silly expressions, or patterned designs. These small pieces work as desk decorations or garden accents.

17. Watercolor Resist Fall Leaf Art

Materials Required: White crayons, watercolor paint, paper

Kids draw leaf shapes or patterns with a white crayon, then brush watercolor paint over the page.

The crayon lines resist the paint, making the shapes appear as colors spread around them. This craft introduces simple techniques and creates soft seasonal artwork with gentle color layers.

18. Yarn-Wrapped Pumpkins

Materials Required: Cardboard pumpkin shapes, orange yarn, glue

Cut pumpkin shapes from cardboard and let kids wrap yarn around to cover the surface. Add a piece of green paper or yarn for the stem.

The wrapping motion strengthens hand coordination while giving the pumpkin a textured finish.

This project is tidy, repetitive, and calming, making it a good choice for quiet craft times or small-group stations.

19. Button Tree Fall Canvas

Materials Required: Canvas or thick paper, glue, assorted buttons, markers

Draw a simple tree trunk with branches, then glue buttons across the branches to represent leaves. Kids can mix warm shades, arrange patterns, or layer buttons for depth.

The mix of materials adds variety and helps build planning skills.

This craft looks decorative when finished and gives kids a chance to think about color placement while building their scene.

20. Pom-Pom Apple Tree Craft

Materials Required: Pom-poms, glue, paper, markers

Draw a tree outline, then glue red pom-poms across the branches to form apples.

Kids can add a few green pom-poms as leaves or small details with markers. The raised pieces make the picture more tactile and interesting.

More Fall Arts and Crafts Ideas for Kids

Quick, kid-friendly activities that fit classrooms, home afternoons, and group sessions during the fall season.

Here are engaging autumn projects that keep children busy with painting, building, and simple nature-based crafts:

21. Q-Tip Dot Painting Fall Scene

Materials Required: Paint, Q-tips, paper

Use Q-tips to dot paint across the page and build a fall scene with trees, leaves, or pumpkins.

The small dots help strengthen fine-motor control and create a soft, speckled texture.

Children can blend warm shades to show seasonal colors or keep their scene simple.

22. Paper Strip Pumpkin

Materials Required: Orange paper strips, brad fastener, green paper, scissors

Cut several orange paper strips, stack them, and secure with a brad at both ends.

Gently pull the strips apart to form a round pumpkin shape.

Add a small green paper leaf on top.

23. Salt Dough Leaf Ornaments

Materials Required: Flour, salt, water, cookie cutters, paint

Mix salt dough, roll it out, and cut leaf shapes with cutters. Add a small hole for hanging before baking or air-drying.

Once dry, kids paint the leaves in warm tones. These ornaments make seasonal decorations and offer a sensory experience as they are shaped and painted.

24. Pinecone Bird Feeder

Materials Required: Pinecones, peanut butter or seed-safe spread, birdseed, string

Spread peanut butter onto pinecones, roll them in birdseed, and tie a string at the top.

Hang them outdoors to invite birds during the cooler months. Kids enjoy preparing the feeders and checking which birds visit.

25. Coffee Filter Tie-Dye Leaves

Materials Required: Coffee filters, washable markers, spray bottle with water, scissors

Kids color coffee filters with markers, then mist them lightly to blend the shades. After drying, cut the filters into leaf shapes.

The color spread creates soft patterns that mimic natural tones, and every leaf turns out unique.

These can hang as decorations, form garlands, or brighten classroom windows. It’s a low-mess craft that introduces color mixing with gentle transitions.

26. Nature Stick Frame

Materials Required: Small sticks, glue, cardboard backing, optional leaves or twine

Kids collect sticks and glue them around a cardboard square to form a rustic frame. They can add leaves, twine, or small decorations to match fall colors.

The frame can hold drawings or photos, making it a simple keepsake. This craft encourages outdoor collecting, arranging materials, and assembling a sturdy piece that feels connected to the season.

27. Torn-Paper Fall Landscape

Materials Required: Colored paper, glue, background paper

Kids tear paper into rough shapes and layer them to create hills, trees, and sky scenes.

The torn edges add texture and make the landscape feel warm and seasonal.

28. Paper Roll Turkey

Materials Required: Paper roll, colored paper, glue, markers

Wrap a paper roll with brown paper, then add feathers, a beak, and eyes to form a turkey.

Kids can mix colors for the tail or add small decorations. This easy craft uses recyclable materials and works well for group activities.

The finished turkey stands upright, making it a cute decoration for tables or shelves.

29. Pumpkin Spice Playdough

Materials Required: Flour, salt, cream of tartar, water, oil, pumpkin spice

Mix ingredients on low heat to form soft playdough, then knead in pumpkin spice for a warm scent. Kids can shape pumpkins, leaves, or simple figures.

This hands-on activity adds a sensory element and encourages creativity through molding and pretend play.

The seasonal scent makes the experience engaging and cozy for fall craft time.

30. Leaf Animals

Materials Required: Leaves, glue, paper, markers

Kids arrange leaves to form animal shapes like owls, foxes, or hedgehogs, then glue them to paper and add details with markers.

Each animal looks unique because leaf shapes vary. This activity builds imagination while using natural materials collected outdoors.

It’s simple, flexible, and works well for kids of different ages.

31. Popsicle Stick Scarecrow Magnet

Materials Required: Popsicle sticks, glue, markers, small magnet strip, paper scraps

Glue popsicle sticks together to form a small scarecrow face, then add paper shapes for the hat and features.

Kids color the details and attach a magnet to the back.

This project mixes simple assembly with easy decorating and creates a cheerful fall magnet for fridges or boards. It’s quick to make and works well for group crafting.

32. Handprint Turkey With Added Textures

Materials Required: Paper, paint, glue, fabric scraps or yarn, markers

Use a handprint as the base, then let kids glue yarn, small fabric pieces, or textured scraps to form feathers.

The mix of materials adds a tactile element and makes each turkey stand out.

Kids enjoy choosing textures and colors, turning a classic seasonal craft into a more sensory experience.

33. Painted Acorns

Materials Required: Acorns, paint, small brushes, optional sealant

Gather acorns and paint them in bright shades or simple patterns. Kids can group them in bowls, scatter them across tables, or use them for fall displays.

The small size encourages careful brushwork and creativity. This craft is low setup, easy to repeat, and creates pretty seasonal pieces that fit into many decorating ideas.

34. Mason Jar Tissue-Paper Lantern

Materials Required: Jar, tissue paper, glue, brush, LED tea light

Kids brush glue onto the jar, place tissue pieces around it, and seal with another thin layer of glue.

When dry, add an LED tea light to give a warm glow. The colors show softly through the tissue, creating a gentle lantern effect.

35. Paper Mosaic Fall Leaf

Materials Required: Colored paper, scissors, glue, leaf outline

Kids cut small squares or irregular pieces of paper, then fill a leaf outline by gluing the pieces closely together.

The finished mosaic shows a rich mix of warm tones and gives the leaf a textured look. This activity helps with fine-motor control and thoughtful color placement.

Conclusion

Fall arts and crafts for kids bring together simple materials, warm colors, and easy techniques that make seasonal creativity enjoyable for all ages.

From textured leaf designs to playful pumpkin projects, each idea adds something unique to autumn days while supporting imagination and hands-on learning.

These activities fit classrooms, homes, and group settings, offering a mix of quick projects and detailed creations.

As children experiment with shapes and textures, they connect more deeply with the season’s charm.

Share your experience or your favorite craft in the comments below.