Easy Fall Crafts for Toddlers

Last fall, I remember sitting on the living room floor with my little one, surrounded by a chaotic mix of paper scraps, glue sticks, and way too many crayons. It wasn’t Pinterest-perfect (not even close), but the giggles and sticky little hands made it one of those sweet mom moments you tuck away forever. If you’ve got a toddler at home, you probably know what I mean—keeping them busy is half the battle, and finding crafts that are fun and easy? That’s like striking gold. Fall crafts for toddlers don’t need to be fancy or expensive. In fact, half the fun is in the mess, right? (Well, most of the time.) In this article, I’ll share some super simple, colorful, and creative fall craft ideas that you can actually enjoy doing with your kid—without pulling your hair out. Think pumpkins, leaves, cozy vibes… and a whole lot of laughte

Fall Crafts for Toddlers

Fall crafts for toddlers are a fun way to celebrate the season’s colors and textures. These simple, hands-on activities support creativity and early development.

Leaf Collage

One of my absolute favorite fall crafts with toddlers has to be a leaf collage. It sounds simple, but trust me, when you hand a kid a bunch of colorful crunchy leaves, they light up like it’s the best toy ever. I usually take my little one outside with a small basket, and we go on a “leaf hunt.” It’s half craft, half adventure. Honestly, that part might even be better than the craft itself because they get to run around, pick their own leaves, and feel like they’re in charge. Once we bring them inside, I spread out glue sticks and a big sheet of paper, and the fun begins.

Now, to be fair, toddlers don’t always “stick to the plan,” so the collages are never neat or organized. But that’s the charm. Some leaves end up upside down, some are stacked, and sometimes half the glue ends up on the table. I’ve learned not to stress—it’s all about the process, not the picture-perfect outcome. If you want, you can sprinkle a little glitter or even add cut-out pictures from magazines to give it more personality. In my opinion, it’s such a low-pressure, memory-making activity, and every single collage turns out unique.

Handprint Fall Tree

This one has a special place in my heart because I’ve done it every year since my toddler was old enough to spread their fingers in paint without eating it. The idea is super simple: paint their hand brown, stamp it on paper for the “trunk,” and then let them go wild with red, orange, and yellow fingerprints for leaves. I remember the first time we did this, my little one thought it was hilarious to squish their entire hand on the paper over and over. It wasn’t exactly a “tree,” but it was a masterpiece in their eyes. Honestly, I’ve framed a couple of these because they’re such sweet keepsakes.

What I like most is how much kids enjoy the mess of it. Paint everywhere, giggles, and the occasional “oops” when they smudge the floor. To be fair, cleanup is part of the experience, and I’ve learned to just lay down newspapers and let them go for it. If you want to jazz it up, you can glue on real leaves around the painted tree or even add a little bit of cotton for clouds. I think these crafts aren’t just art—they’re tiny time capsules. Looking back at the handprints from each year, you see how much they’ve grown, and that, in my opinion, is priceless.

Apple Stamping

Apple stamping is one of those crafts that sneaks in a little snack time too, which is always a win in my book. I cut an apple in half, dip it in paint, and let my toddler press it onto paper like a stamp. The first time we did it, they were completely fascinated that an apple could make “flowers” or “pumpkins” on paper. To be fair, half of the paint ended up on their hands (and eventually their face), but the joy was worth it. Plus, they always sneak bites of the apple slices in between stamping, and honestly, I just let it happen—it keeps them happy and engaged.

What I’ve found is you can play around with this more than you’d think. Add googly eyes to the apple prints and suddenly you’ve got silly apple monsters. Or use orange paint, and the prints look like mini pumpkins—it’s adorable. Sometimes I even let them use both halves of the apple to compare shapes, and they love pointing out which one makes a better “splat.” In my opinion, this is such an easy way to keep toddlers busy while also giving them something they’re proud to show off. And yes, it’s messy, but that’s kind of the point with fall crafts, isn’t it?

Paper Plate Pumpkin

Transform simple paper plates into adorable pumpkins using paint and paper. This easy and festive fall craft brings out your child’s creativity while working on basic shapes and coloring.

• Paint plates orange and let them dry completely.

• Cut green stems from construction paper and glue to the top.

• Add a face to make it a jack-o’-lantern if desired.

• Use pre-cut shapes if your toddler isn’t ready to cut.

• Let them add stickers or glitter for more personalization.

Pinecone Painting

Pinecone painting is a mess-friendly sensory activity that combines art and nature. Toddlers roll or brush paint onto pinecones, exploring textures and colors.

• Gather clean pinecones or buy pre-packaged ones.

• Use large sheets of paper underneath to catch extra paint.

• Let toddlers dip pinecones in paint or roll them on paper.

• Use fall colors like red, orange, yellow, and gold.

• Dry completely and use as seasonal decorations.

Tissue Paper Leaves

This colorful craft allows toddlers to create stained-glass-style leaves using tissue paper. It’s a great activity for practicing color recognition and fine motor control.

• Cut out large leaf shapes from wax paper or cardstock with leaf outlines.

• Provide small squares of red, orange, and yellow tissue paper.

• Help toddlers apply glue and layer tissue paper pieces.

• Let dry and hang on windows for a sunlit effect.

• Use a paintbrush for glue to make application smoother.

Scarecrow Faces

Scarecrow face crafts let toddlers design silly characters using everyday supplies. With paper plates and yarn, this project is both adorable and easy.

• Use paper plates as the face base.

• Provide felt, paper hats, googly eyes, and yarn for hair.

• Help toddlers glue features in silly or friendly arrangements.

• Draw or paint on rosy cheeks and smiles.

• Let each scarecrow be unique with accessories.

Fall Sensory Bin

Though not exactly a craft, a fall sensory bin is a creative activity filled with hands-on discovery. Toddlers can scoop, sort, and imagine with seasonal items like corn, leaves, and small gourds.

Fill a bin with dried corn, fabric leaves, mini pumpkins, and scoops.

• Add cups or spoons for digging and pouring.

• Use natural textures and avoid choking hazards.

• Encourage toddlers to “pretend cook” or sort by color/size.

• Always supervise sensory bins closely.

Pumpkin Seed Mosaic

After carving pumpkins, don’t toss the seeds! Use them to create a fun mosaic with paint and glue. Toddlers enjoy the texture while developing coordination and creativity.

• Clean and dry seeds before painting.

• Let toddlers paint seeds in fall colors first.

• Draw simple shapes on paper and fill with glue and seeds.

• Allow time for drying.

• Optional: Use colored pasta or beads for added variety.

Corn Painting

This unusual art project uses corn on the cob as a stamp! It’s perfect for exploring patterns and lines, and toddlers love the rolling motion.

• Use cooked or raw corn on the cob.

• Dip in shallow trays of paint and roll across paper.

• Try using different colored paints for variety.

• Discuss textures and lines formed by the corn.

• Keep paint washable and protect surfaces underneath.

Fall Wreath

A mini fall wreath is a beautiful way to decorate and celebrate the season. Toddlers will enjoy gluing leaves, tissue, and foam stickers onto a circular base.

• Use a paper plate with the center cut out for the base.

• Provide real or paper leaves, pom-poms, and stickers.

• Let them glue freely around the circle.

• Add a ribbon to hang the finished wreath.

• Reinforce with tape if items fall off after drying.

Suncatcher Pumpkins

These pumpkin suncatchers are vibrant and look beautiful in a sunny window. Toddlers will enjoy sticking pieces to sticky contact paper.

• Cut out a pumpkin outline from black paper.

• Use contact paper as the background inside the pumpkin shape.

• Stick tissue paper pieces inside the pumpkin.

• Seal with another piece of contact paper.

• Trim edges and tape to windows.

Acorn Painting

Acorn painting is a fun rolling activity where toddlers drop acorns into paint and roll them in a box over paper. It creates unique, abstract artwork.

• Use a shoebox or tray with sides.

• Drop a few acorns into paint, then onto paper inside the box.

• Tilt the box gently to roll acorns around.

• Use multiple colors for more effect.

• Keep it short and fun for short attention spans.

Felt Fall Tree

Create a soft, reusable fall tree out of felt that toddlers can decorate again and again. This craft combines creativity with tactile exploration.

• Cut out a tree trunk and leaves from felt.

• Use a large piece of felt as a background board.

• Let toddlers stick leaves on and move them freely.

• Add apples, pumpkins, or animals for variety.

• Store in a ziplock bag for multiple uses.

Pumpkin Faces with Stickers

Stickers are a toddler favorite! Let them create silly or spooky pumpkin faces using large paper pumpkin cutouts and a variety of stickers.

• Cut out pumpkin shapes from orange construction paper.

• Provide face stickers or pre-cut shapes for eyes, noses, and mouths.

• Allow complete freedom to arrange faces however they like.

• Reinforce with glue if stickers don’t stick well.

• Display their creations on walls or fridge.

Tips for Displaying Toddler Crafts

Displaying your toddler’s fall crafts is a wonderful way to celebrate their creativity while adding seasonal decor to your home. Not only does it highlight their hard work, but it also boosts their confidence and makes them feel proud of their achievements. Here are a few fun and easy ideas for showcasing their beautiful fall creations:

• Create a “Fall Gallery”
  Dedicate a wall or space at home to display your toddler’s fall artwork. A rotating gallery lets them showcase multiple projects, and it’s easy to change out crafts as new ones are made. It’s a fantastic way to personalize your home with their seasonal creations.

• Use Clothespins on a String or Bulletin Board
  Hang a string across a wall or in a hallway, and use colorful clothespins to attach artwork. This method allows for quick changes and displays crafts in a fun, informal way. Alternatively, a bulletin board makes it easy to pin up various projects and keep them organized.

• Turn Crafts into Seasonal Cards or Gifts for Grandparents
  Help toddlers turn their artwork into personalized cards or small framed gifts for family members, particularly grandparents. It’s a great way to share the joy of their creations with loved ones while giving something special and unique. Handcrafted gifts are always cherished!

• Frame Their Best Pieces
  Frame a few of their standout fall crafts in simple frames to create an art display. It not only protects the artwork but also elevates the presentation, turning their craft into a lasting memory.

• Create a Craft Book
  If you have many pieces, consider turning their artwork into a craft book. Simply take photos of each craft and compile them in a scrapbook or photo album. This keeps their creations safe and offers a neat way to look back at their development over time.

These tips are simple yet effective ways to show off your toddler’s creativity while decorating your home in a cozy, seasonal way!

FAQ

What are some easy fall crafts for toddlers?

Easy fall crafts for toddlers include handprint trees, paper plate pumpkins, leaf collages, apple stamping, and pinecone painting. These crafts use simple materials like paint, paper, and natural items, making them perfect for little hands.

What supplies do I need for fall crafts with toddlers?

Basic supplies for fall crafts include:

• Non-toxic paint (washable)

• Construction paper (various colors)

• Glue sticks or liquid glue

• Scissors (for older toddlers)

• Paintbrushes and sponges

• Leaves, acorns, pinecones, or other natural items

• Stickers and foam shapes for decoration

• Paper plates, tissue paper, and yarn

Are there any safety tips for doing crafts with toddlers?

Yes! Here are some safety tips for crafting with toddlers:

• Always supervise toddlers during crafts, especially when using scissors or small items.

• Ensure all supplies are non-toxic and safe for children.

• Avoid small parts that can be a choking hazard.

• Use washable paints and glues for easy cleanup.

• Keep craft areas covered with newspaper or a plastic tablecloth to minimize mess.

How can I help my toddler develop motor skills through fall crafts?

Fall crafts are a great way to improve motor skills:

• Fine motor skills: Toddlers strengthen their hand muscles by gluing, cutting, and painting.

• Hand-eye coordination: Activities like apple stamping or creating leaf collages help toddlers work on their coordination.

• Sensory skills: Exploring different textures (leaves, pinecones, fabric) enhances sensory development.