DFW Fall Fest

18 Simple Fall Crafts for Kids at Home

It’s pumpkin spice and simple fall crafts for kids at home season! Get inspired by the creative festivalsfall foods, and the State Fair, and turn the magic of a Texas fall into simple (we really mean it) crafts for your family!

These are 18 simple fall crafts for kids at home:

Simple Fall Crafts for Toddlers 

Two small boys do simple fall crafts for toddlers at a table.

Idea 1: Leaf Stamping Art

Introduce your wee ones to the wonders of nature by letting them create their own stamped leaf artwork. This craft is easy and allows toddlers to explore textures and colors.

Materials:

  • Real leaves (be sure to gather different shapes and sizes for dimension)
  • Washable paint
  • Paper
  • Paintbrushes

Instructions:

  1. Gather leaves from outside.
  2. Help your kiddo paint the leaves with different colors.
  3. Gently press the painted part of the leaf onto the paper to create a stamp.
  4. Lift the leaf to reveal the print, and repeat.

Idea 2: Paper Plate Pumpkins

Toddlers will love making these simple paper plate pumpkins. It’s honestly one of our favorite simple fall crafts for kids at home!

Materials:

  • Paper plates
  • Orange paint
  • Green construction paper (for the stem)
  • Glue
  • Scissors
  • Googly eyes (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Paint the paper plate a nice fall orange.
  2. After your paper plate dries, cut a small stem from the green construction paper and glue it to the top.
  3. Add googly eyes or draw a jack-o’-lantern face with a marker.

Idea 3: Pinecone Bird Feeder

This simple, eco-friendly craft lets toddlers help feed the birds while developing their sensory skills. 

Materials:

  • Large pinecones
  • Peanut butter (or nut-free alternative)
  • Birdseed
  • String

Instructions:

  1. Spread peanut butter over the pinecone using a spoon or spatula.
  2. Slowly roll the pinecone in birdseed until it’s fully coated.
  3. Tie a piece of string around the top and hang it from a tree branch outside.

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Simple Fall Crafts for Preschoolers

A pair of hands is doing simple fall crafts at home, the table is covered in fall leaves and a brown paper bag.

Idea 4: Handprint Tree Art

Create a beautiful fall tree using your preschooler’s handprints as the leaves!

Materials:

  • Brown construction paper
  • Paint (red, yellow, orange)
  • Scissors
  • Glue
  • White paper

Instructions:

  1. Trace and cut out your child’s hand on brown or dark-colored construction paper to create a tree trunk.
  2. Glue the handprint to a white sheet of paper.
  3. Help your child dip their fingers into the paint and stamp their fingerprints around the top of the trunk to form the leaves.

Idea 5: DIY Acorn Critters

This adorable craft turns everyday acorns into playful little characters with just a few simple materials. Don’t forget to name them and make them part of the family!

Materials:

  • Acorns
  • Googly eyes (We love to get ours from the Dollar Tree)
  • Glue
  • Paint or markers

Instructions:

  1. Collect acorns with caps attached.
  2. Glue googly eyes onto the acorns to create tiny faces.
  3. Use paint or markers to add details hats, outfits and other details.
  4. Set the acorn critters on a shelf for a cute fall decoration.

Idea 6: Felt Pumpkin Patches

Let preschoolers practice their fine motor skills by creating their own felt pumpkin patch.

Materials:

  • Felt (orange, green, brown)
  • Scissors
  • Glue
  • Paper

Instructions:

  1. Cut out pumpkin shapes from orange felt and small stems from brown felt.
  2. Let your kiddo glue the pumpkins onto a piece of paper, adding green felt leaves and stems as they like. Use markers for added details like vines or jack-o’-lantern faces.

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Simple Fall Crafts for Elementary School Kids

A woman and 3 children in Halloween costumes do simple fall crafts at a table.

Idea 7: Nature Collage

This craft requires a fun fall walk outside!

Materials:

  • Leaves, twigs, acorns, pecans, pinecones, etc.
  • Glue
  • Construction paper

Instructions:

  1. Head outdoors and collect various natural materials like leaves, twigs, and pinecones.
  2. Arrange the items on a piece of construction paper to form a collage.
  3. Use craft or hot glue to secure the items in place.
  4. Allow it to dry and display the nature-inspired artwork.
  5. Make sure they sign and date their masterpiece, as you’ll want to keep this craft as a memento!

Idea 8: Coffee Filter Leaves

Elementary-aged kids will love watching colors blend together as they make colorful coffee filter leaves.

Materials:

  • Coffee filters
  • Watercolors or washable markers
  • Scissors
  • Spray bottle of water

Instructions:

  1. Cut the coffee filters into leaf shapes. Trace actual leaves or use a stencil to make this easier.
  2. Let your child paint or color the leaves using watercolors or markers.
  3. Lightly spray the leaves with water to watch the colors blend.
  4. Allow the leaves to dry, and use them to decorate your windows or walls.

Idea 9: Pumpkin Suncatchers

Capture the beauty of fall sunlight with these cheerful little pumpkin suncatchers.

Materials:

  • Clear contact paper
  • Tissue paper (orange, green, yellow)
  • Scissors
  • Black construction paper

Instructions:

  1. Cut out a pumpkin shape from clear contact paper and remove the backing.
  2. Let your child stick pieces of orange and green tissue paper onto the sticky side.
  3. Add a jack-o’-lantern face using construction paper (optional).
  4. Hang the suncatcher in a window to reflect the autumn light.

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Simple Fall Crafts for Preteens

A woman attaches a charm to a cord as she makes fall jewelry.

Idea 10: Acorn Necklace

A simple and stylish fall accessory, this acorn necklace makes use of natural materials for a fun DIY project. Make the fall version of the Swifty bracelets?!

Materials:

  • Acorns (with caps)
  • String or yarn
  • Glue
  • Optional: Make friendship acorn bracelets by adding in beads!

Instructions:

  1. Collect acorns and make sure the caps are firmly attached.
  2. Thread the string through the top of the acorn cap and tie it securely.

Idea 11: Felt Leaf Garland

This decorative garland brings fall colors indoors and is perfect for preteens interested in learning to sew or craft with fabric.

Materials:

  • Felt (fall colors like red, orange, yellow, and brown)
  • String or yarn
  • Scissors
  • Needle and thread (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Cut out various leaf shapes from felt.
  2. Attach the leaves to a string by either sewing them on or gluing them in place.
  3. Hang the garland across a mantel, window, or doorway for a festive touch.

Idea 12: Painted Rock Pumpkins

Preteens can have fun turning ordinary rocks into cute and colorful pumpkins.

Materials:

  • Smooth rocks
  • Orange paint
  • Green paint
  • Black marker

Instructions:

  1. Paint the rocks orange and let them dry.
  2. Use the green paint to add stems and vines.
  3. Draw jack-o’-lantern faces with a black marker or paint.

You Might Also Like: 11 Best Places to See Fall Colors in Dallas

Simple Fall Crafts for Teenagers

Pumpkins, along with fall-colored crafting supplies, including felt and paper, surround a pair of hands.

Idea 13: DIY Fall Candle Holders

Teens will love this craft. Tip: Candle holders also make lovely gifts for teachers, coaches, and friends!

Materials:

  • Glass jars
  • Mod Podge
  • Leaves (real or artificial)
  • Tea light candles

Instructions:

  1. Gently rub the outside of the jar with Mod Podge, working into a gentle lather.
  2. Press leaves onto the jar and seal them with another layer of Mod Podge.
  3. Once dry, place a tea light candle inside to create a glowing fall candle holder.

Idea 14: Autumn-Themed Scrapbooking

Let teens express their creativity and document the season with a custom autumn scrapbook.

Materials:

  • Scrapbook
  • Fall-themed stickers, papers, and embellishments
  • Photos, leaves, and other memorabilia

Instructions:

  1. Encourage your teen to gather photos, leaves, and other autumn memorabilia.
  2. Arrange the items in a scrapbook, adding fall-themed stickers and paper cutouts.
  3. Let them personalize the pages with quotes, drawings, and decorations.

Idea 15: Personalized Fall Mugs

Teens can create their own cozy fall mug with this easy DIY project. Another perfect gift idea! Teachers can always use a bit more appreciation! 

Materials:

  • Plain ceramic mugs
  • Oil-based Sharpie markers or porcelain paint pens
  • Oven

Instructions:

  1. Let your teen design their own fall-themed artwork on the mug using markers or paint pens.
  2. Once satisfied with the design, bake the mug in the oven at 350°F for 30 minutes to set the paint.
  3. Enjoy hot cocoa or tea in their custom fall mug!

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More Simple Fall Crafts For Kids and Kids-At-Heart of Any Age!

There are just so many simple fall crafts for kids at home that we wanted to share:

Idea 16: Paper Bag Scarecrows

Kids can create adorable scarecrows using paper bags.

Materials:

  • Brown paper bags
  • Colored construction paper (for clothes and hats)
  • Glue
  • Markers or crayons
  • Straw or yellow yarn

Instructions:

  1. Help the kids draw a scarecrow face on the paper bag using markers or crayons.
  2. Cut out clothes, hats, and other accessories from construction paper (or felt if you have it on hand) and glue them onto the bag.
  3. Add straw or yellow yarn to the top of the bag for the hair.
  4. Once complete, use these scarecrows as table decor or puppet fun!

Idea 17: Button Tree Art

This creative craft allows kids to use buttons and glue to make a beautiful fall tree.

Materials:

  • Construction paper (brown for the tree trunk)
  • Assorted buttons (in fall colors like red, yellow, orange, and brown)
  • Glue
  • Scissors

Instructions:

  1. Cut a tree trunk shape from brown construction paper and glue it onto a blank sheet of paper.
  2. Let the kids glue the colorful buttons around the branches to resemble fall leaves.

Idea 18: Pumpkin Seed Mosaic

Turn pumpkin seeds into art with this fun mosaic craft that allows kids to get creative with shapes and colors.

Materials:

  • Pumpkin seeds (clean and dried)
  • Paint or food coloring
  • Paper
  • Glue

Instructions:

  1. Paint the pumpkin seeds in different fall colors (or use food coloring for a quicker option).
  2. Once the seeds are dry, let the kids arrange them on a piece of paper to form fall-themed images (pumpkins, leaves, acorns, etc.).
  3. Glue the seeds in place to complete the mosaic and allow it to dry.

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Keep on Craftin’

These simple fall crafts for kids at home provide endless fun for toddlers, preteens, and teens! 

Have your kids tried any of these crafts? We’d love to see their creations! Share your fav photos and tag us, or comment below with your favorite fall craft ideas.

For more seasonal inspiration, be sure to check out our blog.

Get your free tickets to DFW Fall Fest!