As the leaves begin to change color and the air turns crisp, autumn is the perfect season for crafting with preschoolers.
Not only do autumn crafts provide a fun and engaging activity for children, but they also encourage creativity and help develop fine motor skills.
We’ll explore the best Autumn Crafts for Preschoolers that are perfect for little hands to create, using common household materials and simple instructions.
Leaf Rubbing
One of the easiest autumn crafts for preschoolers is leaf rubbing. To do this activity, you’ll need some leaves, crayons, and paper. Place a leaf under a piece of paper and use the side of a crayon to rub over the leaf, creating an impression of the leaf’s veins and shape onto the paper. Children can use a variety of colors and leaf shapes to create a beautiful autumn-themed art piece.
Pinecone Bird Feeders
Preschoolers can create their own bird feeders by using pinecones, peanut butter, and birdseed. First, spread peanut butter on the pinecone, then roll it in birdseed until it’s completely covered. Tie a string to the pinecone and hang it from a tree branch. Kids will love watching birds visit their feeder and will learn about the importance of feeding birds during the colder months.
Related: 20 Polar Bear Art & Craft for Preschoolers
Apple Print Paintings
This craft is perfect for fall and can be done using apples, paint, and paper. Slice an apple in half, dip it in paint, and then press it onto the paper. Kids can experiment with different colors and apple sizes to create unique prints. Once dry, the apple prints can be turned into cute autumn-themed decorations.
Paper Plate Scarecrows
To create a paper plate scarecrow, preschoolers will need a paper plate, construction paper, and glue. Cut out a hat, hair, and clothes from construction paper, then glue them onto the paper plate to create a scarecrow face. Kids can add their own creative touches, such as drawing on a face or adding accessories like a bowtie or a flower.
Related: 25 Fun and Creative Pot Painting Ideas for Kids
Pumpkin Seed Art
Pumpkins are a quintessential symbol of fall, and preschoolers can use their seeds to create a beautiful art piece. Simply spread pumpkin seeds out onto a piece of paper and glue them down to create a unique design. Children can create a pumpkin shape or a simple abstract design, using a variety of pumpkin seed sizes and colors. This craft is not only fun but also a great sensory experience for kids.
Handprint Trees
To create a handprint tree, preschoolers will need brown, red, yellow, and orange paint, as well as a piece of paper. Start by painting the child’s hand brown and pressing it onto the paper to create the tree trunk. Then, use different colors to paint the leaves on the branches. Children can use their creativity to make their trees unique and add other fall-themed elements like birds or squirrels.
Corn Mosaics
Corn mosaics are a fun and simple craft for preschoolers that can be done using dried corn kernels, glue, and paper. Children can create their own fall-themed designs, like a cornucopia or a pumpkin, by gluing the corn kernels onto the paper. This craft is a great way to teach kids about different textures and shapes.
Acorn Necklaces
Acorn necklaces are a cute and easy craft that can be made using acorns, string, and paint. Preschoolers can paint the acorns in different colors and string them together to create a necklace. This craft is a great opportunity to teach kids about nature and the different things they can find outdoors during the fall.
Pumpkin Decorating
Pumpkin decorating is a classic autumn craft that preschoolers love. Children can use paint, stickers, markers, and other craft supplies to decorate their pumpkins. They can create silly faces or more intricate designs. This activity is a great opportunity to teach kids about the different shapes and sizes of pumpkins.
Fall Leaf Collages
Fall leaf collages are a fun and easy craft that preschoolers can create using leaves, glue, and paper. Have children collect a variety of leaves in different shapes and colors, and then glue them onto the paper to create a fall-themed collage. Kids can use their creativity to arrange the leaves in unique patterns and designs. This activity is a great opportunity to teach kids about the changing colors of leaves during the fall.
Yarn Wrapped Leaves
Yarn wrapped leaves are a fun and simple craft that can be done using leaves, yarn, and glue. Children can wrap the yarn around the leaf in a variety of colors and patterns, creating a unique design. Once dry, the yarn-wrapped leaves can be used as decorations or turned into a mobile.
Paper Bag Scarecrows
To create a paper bag scarecrow, preschoolers will need a paper bag, construction paper, and glue. Children can cut out a hat, hair, and clothes from construction paper, then glue them onto the paper bag to create a scarecrow face. Kids can add their own creative touches like drawing on a face or adding accessories like a scarf or a belt.
Pinecone Hedgehogs
Pinecone hedgehogs are an adorable autumn craft that can be made using pinecones, googly eyes, and felt. Children can glue googly eyes and a felt nose onto the pinecone to create the face of a hedgehog. Then, they can use felt to create the hedgehog’s ears and spines. This craft is a great opportunity to teach kids about different animals they might see during the fall.
Leaf People
Leaf people are a fun and creative craft that can be made using leaves, googly eyes, and markers. Children can use the leaves to create the body and head of their leaf person, and then add googly eyes and draw on a face. Kids can use their creativity to give their leaf person unique clothing and accessories.
Apple Cider Playdough
Making apple cider playdough is a fun autumn activity that preschoolers will love. Children can help mix the ingredients, including flour, salt, cream of tartar, cinnamon, and apple cider, to create the playdough. Once made, kids can use cookie cutters and other objects to shape and create their own playdough creations. This craft is a great opportunity to teach kids about different scents and spices associated with fall.
Leaf Rubbings
Leaf rubbings are a classic autumn craft that preschoolers can do using paper, crayons, and leaves. Children can place a leaf under the paper, then use the side of a crayon to rub over the paper, revealing the shape and texture of the leaf. Kids can experiment with different colors and types of leaves to create unique rubbings.
Apple Stamping
Apple stamping is a fun and easy craft that preschoolers can do using apples, paint, and paper. Children can cut an apple in half and use it as a stamp to create apple-shaped prints on the paper. Kids can experiment with different colors and patterns to create unique designs.
Fall Wreaths
Fall wreaths are a fun and easy craft that preschoolers can make using paper plates, construction paper, and glue. Children can cut out fall-themed shapes like leaves and pumpkins, then glue them onto the paper plate to create a wreath. Kids can use their creativity to create unique designs and color schemes.
Paper Bag Leaves
To create paper bag leaves, preschoolers will need paper bags, construction paper, and glue. Children can cut out leaf shapes from the construction paper and glue them onto the paper bag. Then, they can crumple the paper bag to create a textured effect, making the leaves look more realistic. This craft is a great opportunity to teach kids about different types of leaves and their shapes.
Scarecrow Puppets
Scarecrow puppets are a fun and easy craft that preschoolers can make using paper bags, construction paper, and glue. Children can cut out different parts of the scarecrow, like the hat, hair, and clothes, and glue them onto the paper bag to create a puppet. Kids can add their own creative touches like drawing on a face or adding accessories like a scarf or a belt.