Autumn is the perfect season for hands-on creativity with children. With fallen leaves, acorns, pinecones and other natural finds readily available, plus harvest and holiday themes to explore, it’s easy to plan simple, low-cost projects that spark imagination. Below you’ll find 20 fall craft ideas for kids—plus a bonus project—that range from nature-based activities to Thanksgiving and Halloween fun. Each entry links to the original tutorial so you can view step-by-step instructions and materials lists.
20 Fall Crafts for Kids:
Please click the links below and pin directly from each site—those creators deserve full credit for their work.
1. Apple Suncatcher Craft | A bright, window-friendly project that uses translucent papers or tissue to catch the light and add colorful fall cheer.
2. Wooden Stick Scarecrow | A charming project that turns craft sticks and simple materials into a seasonal yard or shelf accent.
3. Paint Chip Turkey | An easy, colorful turkey craft ideal for using up paint sample cards and simple recyclables.
4. Gratitude Pumpkin | A simple, meaningful activity for kids to write or draw things they’re thankful for and display them on a decorative pumpkin.
5. Apple Stamping Preschool Craft | Great for little hands—use halved apples as stamps to explore shape, color and pattern while creating autumn art.
6. Nature & Felt Campfire Craft | Combine collected twigs, leaves and felt pieces to build a cozy pretend campfire—perfect for dramatic play and storytelling.
7. Fall Leaf Craft | Use pressed or fresh leaves to create collages, prints or simple keepsakes that celebrate seasonal color and texture.
8. Canning Jar Lid Turkey Magnet | A cute recycled craft that turns jar lids into seasonal magnets you can decorate with paint and paper.
9. Fall Leaf Window Clings | Make reusable window decorations from simple craft materials—fun for kids and great for brightening a room.
10. Fall Pool Noodle Stamping | Pool noodles make playful stamp shapes—use them with paint to create repeating leaf or pumpkin patterns.
11. Fall Puzzle Tree | Cut or paint puzzle shapes to assemble a tree collage—great for practicing fine motor skills and color matching.
12. Paper Bag Turkey | Turn paper bags into playful turkey puppets that are fun for storytelling and table decorations.
13. Acorn Handprint Towels | Preserve little handprints in a seasonal motif by making acorn prints on fabric towels or napkins.
14. Tissue Paper Pumpkin Mason Jars | Transform mason jars with tissue paper to make glowing pumpkins—nice for centerpieces or night lights.
15. Corn on the Cob Pencil Holder | A playful desk accessory idea that repurposes simple supplies into a seasonal pencil cup.
16. Pumpkin Napkin Rings | Make festive napkin rings with beads and elastic—an easy way for kids to help set a holiday table.
17. Recycled CD Leaf Turkeys | A creative upcycle that turns old CDs and collected leaves into whimsical turkey decorations.
18. Stained Glass Fall Leaves Craft | Recreate the look of stained glass using tissue paper and clear contact or laminating sheets for colorful window art.
19. Fall Leaf Crafts | A roundup of leaf-inspired projects using coffee filters, paper and paint for delicate, colorful leaves.
20. Book Pumpkin | Turn an old book into a sculpture-style pumpkin—an imaginative way to repurpose books for seasonal decor.
And one bonus craft:
21. Toilet Paper Pumpkin | A quick, kid-friendly craft that turns empty rolls into cute pumpkins—great for Halloween or fall displays.
Want even more fall crafts for kids? Here’s a collection of additional ideas to keep your family busy throughout the season.
Tips for success: gather basic supplies like glue, child-safe scissors, washable paints, and a selection of natural materials; set up a protected workspace; and tailor projects to your child’s age and skill level. Encourage experimentation and display finished pieces—children take pride in seeing their work shown around the home. Most of these crafts can be adapted for different ages and reused as seasonal décor or holiday gifts.