12 Easy Fall Crafts for Kids That Are Quick and Simple

Fall finally fell, which is two things: pumpkin spice everything and the mad scramble to find stuff to do with the kids to keep them busy indoors. You know the routine – the air turns cool, leaves start changing, and before you know it your kiddos are bouncing off the walls with energy they can no longer expend at the park.f

I’ve been there, trust me. Last October, I found myself Googling “easy fall crafts for kids” at 7 AM while my preschooler was already asking for the fifteenth time what we were going to do that day. So I’ve compiled this ultimate list of fall crafts that have saved my sanity more times than I can count.

1. Plate Scarecrow

Plate scarecrows are easy fall crafts for kids.

This classic fall paper plate craft for kids is perfect for all ages and guaranteed to bring smiles to all faces.

Materials:

  • 2 paper plates
  • Brown construction paper
  • Orange and yellow tissue paper
  • Black marker
  • Glue stick
  • Scissors
  • Craft sticks (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Color one paper plate with brown marker or paint for the face
  2. Cut triangle shapes from orange paper for the nose
  3. Draw eyes and mouth with black marker
  4. Cut strips of brown paper for hair and glue around the top
  5. Crumple yellow and orange tissue paper and glue on for straw
  6. Glue the second plate behind the first for stability
  7. Add craft sticks if desired to make it a puppet

Paper plate crafts are perfect for kids of all ages—check out our full list of fun paper plate craft ideas for more inspiration.

2. Leaf Print Tote Bags

Leaf printed tote bags make beautiful fall crafts for kids.

Turn your nature walk finds into wearable art with this engaging fall leaf craft for kids.

Materials:

Instructions:

  1. Place newspaper inside the tote bag to prevent paint bleeding through
  2. Collect various shaped leaves during your outdoor adventures
  3. Brush paint evenly on one side of each leaf
  4. Press the painted leaf firmly onto the bag
  5. Carefully lift the leaf straight up to reveal the print
  6. Let dry completely before using
  7. Repeat with different leaves and colors for a full design

Check out these easy and affordable leaf crafts for kids ages 2 to 5+.

3. Pinecone Turkeys

Pine cone turkey is a nice fall craft for kids.

These adorable pinecone creatures are among the most beloved fall crafts for kids elementary age and up.

Materials:

  • Large pinecones
  • Brown, red, orange, and yellow felt
  • Googly eyes
  • Orange pipe cleaners
  • Hot glue gun (adult use only)
  • Scissors

Instructions:

  1. Clean pinecones and let them dry completely
  2. Cut feather shapes from colored felt in various sizes
  3. Have an adult hot glue the felt feathers between pinecone scales
  4. Bend orange pipe cleaner to create turkey feet
  5. Glue feet to the bottom of the pinecone
  6. Cut a small triangle from orange felt for the beak
  7. Glue on googly eyes and beak to complete your turkey

4. Coffee Filter Fall Leaves

Coffee filter fall leaves.

Perfect for rainy afternoons, this simple fall craft for kids creates beautiful window decorations.

Materials:

Instructions:

  1. Flatten coffee filters on a protected work surface
  2. Let kids color the filters with washable markers in fall colors
  3. Spray lightly with water to make colors blend and bleed
  4. Allow filters to dry completely
  5. Fold dried filters in half and cut leaf shapes
  6. Twist green pipe cleaners around the center for stems
  7. Hang in windows or from light fixtures

5. Handprint Tree Art

Handprint tree art.

Seize those little hands for all time with this moving fall children’s arts and crafts activity.

Materials:

  • Brown and white construction paper
  • Fall-colored paint (red, orange, yellow)
  • Paintbrushes
  • Wet wipes
  • Glue stick

Instructions:

  1. Paint child’s hand and forearm with brown paint
  2. Press firmly onto white paper to create tree trunk and branches
  3. Clean hands thoroughly with wet wipes
  4. Dip fingers in fall colors and press around branches for leaves
  5. Add more fingerprint leaves until tree looks full
  6. Let dry completely
  7. Mount on colored construction paper for framing

6. Corn Husk Dolls

Corn husk doll.

This timeless easy craft for kids connects then with the past while creating lovable autumn ornaments.

Materials:

  • Dried corn husks (soaked in warm water)
  • Cotton balls
  • String or twine
  • Scissors
  • Colored markers (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Soak corn husks in warm water for 10 minutes to soften
  2. Take 6-8 husks and fold them over a cotton ball for the head
  3. Tie string tightly around the neck area
  4. Separate some husks for arms and tie at wrists
  5. Tie string around the waist to secure the body
  6. Trim bottom husks evenly for the skirt
  7. Add facial features with markers if desired

Find more fun and easy Thanksgiving crafts for kids here.

7. Acorn Friends

Little friends made with accorns.

Transform nature’s treasures into tiny works of art with this delightful autumn kids craft.

Materials:

  • Whole acorns with caps
  • Googly eyes (various sizes)
  • Pipe cleaners
  • White craft glue or glue dots
  • Black permanent marker
  • Felt scraps
  • Scissors (adult use only)

Instructions:

  1. Help children separate acorn caps from acorns carefully
  2. Glue googly eyes onto the acorn body
  3. Use marker to draw a small mouth below the eyes
  4. Cut pipe cleaners into small pieces for legs and antennae
  5. Help children poke pipe cleaner pieces into the acorn
  6. Glue the cap back on as a hat or shell
  7. Add felt pieces for wings, ears, or other features

These acorn friends are great examples of acorn art projects for kids that encourage storytelling and imaginative play. Look out for more fun and easy acorn crafts for kids.

8. Paper Bag Pumpkins

Paper bag pumpkins.

Easy fall crafts for kids don’t get much simpler than these adorable stuffed pumpkins.

Materials:

  • Orange paper lunch bags
  • Newspaper or tissue paper
  • Green construction paper
  • Black marker
  • Stapler
  • Glue stick
  • Scissors

Instructions:

  1. Stuff paper bag with crumpled newspaper
  2. Twist the top of the bag and secure with stapler
  3. Cut leaf shapes from green paper
  4. Glue leaves around the twisted stem area
  5. Draw jack-o’-lantern faces with black marker
  6. Create multiple pumpkins in different sizes
  7. Group together for a pumpkin patch display

Kids will love these other budget-friendly paper bag crafts.

9. Thanksgiving Gratitude Tree

Thanksgiving gratitude tree.

This unique project combines crafting with worthwhile lessons in thankfulness.

Materials:

Instructions:

  1. Cut or draw large tree trunk and branches on brown paper
  2. Mount tree on wall or large poster board
  3. Cut leaf shapes from colorful construction paper
  4. Each day, have family members write something they’re grateful for on a leaf
  5. Attach leaves to the tree branches
  6. Continue adding leaves throughout the fall season
  7. Read all the gratitude statements together at Thanksgiving dinner

Among Thanksgiving crafts for kids, this one is a true classic.

10. Leaf Bowl Craft

Leaf bowl craft.

Preserve fall’s beauty with this elegant project that’s perfect for older elementary kids.

Materials:

  • Fresh fall leaves
  • Mod Podge or white glue
  • Balloon
  • Foam brush
  • Scissors

Instructions:

  1. Blow up balloon to desired bowl size
  2. Place balloon in bowl to keep steady
  3. Brush Mod Podge on balloon surface
  4. Overlap fresh leaves around balloon, starting at bottom
  5. Brush more Mod Podge over leaves to seal
  6. Let dry completely (24-48 hours)
  7. Pop balloon carefully and remove

11. Felt Acorn Garland

A garland made with felt acorns.

Strap autumn magic into this cozy fall activity that spreads holiday cheer into any room.

Materials:

  • Brown and tan felt
  • Green felt scraps
  • Stuffing or cotton balls
  • Needle and thread
  • Long piece of twine
  • Scissors
  • Fabric glue

Instructions:

  1. Cut acorn shapes from brown felt (two pieces per acorn)
  2. Cut acorn caps from tan felt
  3. Sew or glue acorn pieces together, leaving opening for stuffing
  4. Stuff lightly with cotton balls
  5. Sew opening closed
  6. Attach felt caps with fabric glue
  7. Thread onto twine with needle, spacing evenly

12. Leaf Rock

A rock painted with a leaf.

Materials:

  • Flat rock
  • Red, orange, and yellow acrylic paint
  • Fine paintbrush

Instructions:

  1. Paint the rock a neutral background color.
  2. Paint a large leaf in fall tones.
  3. Outline with black for definition.

These painted Thanksgiving rocks are easy crafts for kids, fun for everyone, and beautiful as ornaments, table runners, or keepsakes.

More Fall Crafts Ideas

Fall is fleeting, but the memories you make together will last. Your kids will treasure these cozy crafting moments long after the leaves have fallen and the snow has arrived.

Check out these other posts for more easy fun fall crafts for kids:

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