Autumn is one of the most beautiful and inspiring seasons of the year—especially for kids. With leaves crunching underfoot, acorns dotting the ground, and trees turning brilliant shades of orange and red, nature becomes the perfect craft supply.
Whether you’re looking for a fun weekend project, a school activity, or just a way to enjoy the season with your child, these fall crafts using leaves and natural materials are simple, affordable, and full of autumn magic.
Here are some of our favorite fall nature crafts for kids—no fancy materials required!
1. Leaf Rubbing Art
What you need:
- Real leaves (fresh or dried)
- Crayons or colored pencils
- White paper
How to do it:
Place a leaf under the paper and gently rub over it with the side of a crayon. Watch the shape and veins of the leaf magically appear! Try using different leaves and colors to make a whole collage.
Why kids love it: It’s like making nature “appear” through the paper!
2. DIY Leaf Crowns
What you need:
- Leaves in various sizes and colors
- A strip of construction paper or cardstock
- Glue or tape
How to do it:
Measure the paper strip to fit your child’s head. Let them glue or tape the leaves all around the band to create a festive fall crown.
Great for: Pretend play, nature walks, and mini woodland royalty.
3. Nature Collage
What you need:
- Leaves, twigs, pinecones, acorns, bark, etc.
- Cardboard or paper as a base
- White glue
How to do it:
Head outside for a nature scavenger hunt. Then, arrange your collected items into a pattern, picture, or abstract design. Glue them down and let dry.
Learning tip: Talk about textures and patterns as kids build their masterpiece.
4. Acorn Animals
What you need:
- Acorns, small sticks, leaves
- Googly eyes (optional)
- Glue
How to do it:
Use acorns as little animal bodies—add stick legs, leaf ears, and googly eyes to create squirrels, owls, or bugs. Let your imagination go wild!
Safety tip: Hot glue works best, but adult supervision is needed.
5. Leaf People
What you need:
- Leaves in fun shapes
- Paper
- Glue
- Markers or googly eyes
How to do it:
Glue leaves to paper as bodies, heads, or wings, then draw arms, legs, and faces to create silly or spooky leaf people.
Fun idea: Name them and create a “Leaf Family” or fall-themed storybook.
6. Painted Leaf Prints
What you need:
- Leaves
- Washable paint
- Paper or fabric (like canvas or tote bags)
How to do it:
Paint one side of the leaf, press it paint-side-down onto paper, and gently lift. You’ll get a beautiful print of the leaf’s shape and texture.
Try this: Use fall colors like red, gold, and brown for a seasonal effect.
7. Pinecone Creatures
What you need:
- Pinecones
- Felt, googly eyes, pipe cleaners
- Glue
How to do it:
Turn pinecones into animals like owls, foxes, or hedgehogs. Add felt ears and faces, and let kids design their own forest friends.
Great for: Imaginative play and homemade fall decorations.
8. Nature Mandalas
What you need:
- Leaves, petals, seeds, rocks, twigs
- Flat surface or paper base
How to do it:
Arrange natural objects into circular, repeating patterns (mandalas). This is a calming and creative activity that teaches symmetry and balance.
Mindful moment: Encourage quiet focus and outdoor reflection while making them.
9. Leaf Lanterns
What you need:
- Mason jars or clean glass jars
- Pressed leaves
- Mod Podge or white glue
- Battery-operated tea lights
How to do it:
Glue leaves to the outside of the jar using Mod Podge. Once dry, pop in a tea light for a soft autumn glow.
Perfect for: Cozy windowsills or evening storytime ambiance.
10. Fall-Themed Nature Mobile
What you need:
- A stick or small branch
- Yarn or string
- Leaves, pinecones, acorns, feathers
How to do it:
Tie nature items to string and hang them from the branch to create a mobile. Hang it in a window or on a porch for a beautiful autumn display.
Extra charm: Watch it sway in the breeze or spin indoors!
Final Thoughts
Crafting with nature is one of the simplest ways to spark your child’s creativity and deepen their appreciation for the world around them. Best of all, it gets everyone outside collecting materials, noticing colors, and tuning in to the beauty of the season.
So grab a basket, head outdoors, and let the leaves inspire your next family art session. Fall doesn’t last forever—but the memories you make together will.
Whole Heartily 