Our Favorite Fall Crafts to Kick Off the Season

Who else is ready for fall? I’m ready for comfy sweaters, changing leaves, and fall crafts. Check out some of our favorite ideas so you can turn your house into a cozy DIY dream.

What Are Some Craft Ideas for Fall?

Fall crafts are a great way to keep everyone busy at home and on the weekends. But where do you even start? Right here, of course!

Glittery Fall Book Leaves

These are so simple yet so pretty. I have an old book of poetry in my craft bin that’s just waiting to get a new purpose. Cut some old pages into leaf shapes, then use a paintbrush to put Mod Podge around the edge of each leaf. Add glitter (fall hues, of course) and shake off the excess. Let them dry, then use them in any other autumn craft, whether that’s a wreath for the front door, a garland, or a mobile.

Fall Tree

This one is for all you nature lovers out there. With all the extra bare branches that have fallen in the yard, put them to good use with this easy craft. If you’re closer to thanksgiving, make a “thankful tree” by anchoring a sturdy branch into a vase. You can use stones to do this. Then, have the family write things that they’re thankful for on small wooden rounds or leaves. Hang the notes of gratitude from the tree with string or twine, along with glittery fall leaves, acorns, or other foliage for a piece of DIY fall decor.

Fall Crafts for Adults: Clay Leaf Dishes

Need a catch-all dish for your jewelry, car keys, or spare change? This is the perfect fun fall craft that’s also functional! Start by rolling out some air-dry clay, so it’s flat. Then, press a leaf onto the clay. It may be better to use greener leaves, as they’re less brittle and crumbly. Carefully peel off the leaf, then cut around the outline of the leaf with a knife. Then, remove the excess clay from around your imprint.

Gently start to roll up the outer edges of your clay. While there’s no specific pattern, just leave a little bit of space between rolls and leave the tip intact. If you need to smooth out portions, dip a sponge in a bit of water and use it to smooth the clay. Allow the clay to air dry and harden. After 24 hours, check to see if the top is hardened. If it is, flip it to allow the bottom to dry. Once they’re dry, you can paint them. Once they’re completely dry, seal them with Mod Podge Gloss. 

What Are Some Fall Crafts for DIY Decor?

Decorations are really what make the season shine, especially with all of the beautiful colors. But decorations can be expensive. That’s why we love these DIY ideas so you can make your house ready for fall!

Cinnamon Candles

Few scents make me think of autumn like cinnamon. Whole cinnamon sticks not only have great color and texture, but they also smell divine. Start with a pillar candle, and wrap a rubber band around it. Place the cinnamon sticks vertically under the rubber band, making sure they’re at varying heights. Wrap the cinnamon sticks tightly with some twine, then remove the rubber bands. You can use this same method with cylindrical vases or mason jars in which you can display fall floral arrangements!

Pie Pieces Garland

If you love pie as much as I do, this is the perfect decoration. Use pie-shaped wedges of construction paper (or paper plates) and decorate them to look like your favorite Thanksgiving pie! Whether it’s pumpkin pie (with a white pom-pom for whipped cream), cherry, pecan, or apple, this autumn-themed decoration will have everyone’s mouth watering in anticipation of Thanksgiving dessert. Use accordion-folded tan paper for the “crust” and use strips of tan paper as the lattice topping on pies like apple or cherry. Attach them evenly to a string or twine, and try decorating your windows, doorways, or walls!

Unexpected Pumpkins

Fall pumpkins aren’t just for jack-o-lanterns! You can change up the decor with different textures and colors. Try a fabric-covered pumpkin with your favorite fall pattern. Or, use glitter, spray paint, or stencils to add a unique look. You can also use a Cricut machine to customize your pumpkins with monograms, messages, or images!

Acorn Fall Crafts

Acorns are everywhere. And I mean everywhere. It seems you can’t take two steps outside of the house without the tell-tale crunch of the oak tree’s nut underneath your boots. Why not put them to good use with some creative fall crafts?

Acorn Centerpieces

If you’re looking for a new centerpiece for the table, fill a round decanter or goblet with acorns and a pillar candle. Mix in some pinecones with glittered tips, too! Add some battery-operated LED string lights for a romantic and dreamy fall ambiance. You can find most of these materials at Dollar Tree, too!

Magnets

Buy a package of round, metallic magnets, collect some acorns, and glue them with hot glue, and that’s all there is to it! Your kitchen will take on a fun new fall look! You could even paint the bottoms or tops of the acorn with fun colors to match your kitchen decor. Your fall calendar, autumn wedding invitations, and grocery lists will look adorably adorned with acorns!

What Are Some Fall Crafts for Kids?

For kids, fall means back-to-school, but that doesn’t mean that fun and creativity have to stop! Some easy fall crafts can make the transition from summer to fall a little bit more exciting. While we all know the classic handprint turkey always makes an appearance as a Thanksgiving craft, it’s not too soon for some other fall craft ideas.

Paper Plate Scarecrow Fall Crafts

Scarecrows are one of the signs of the season, and we love this cute craft idea. You need tan/brown tissue paper, orange, brown, yellow, and white cardstock, glue, scissors, a stapler, and a sharpie. First, cut your tan tissue paper into small squares, then put a good amount of glue all over the paper plate. Have your child cover it completely with the tan tissue paper squares.

While they are doing that, cut out of cardstock the scarecrow embellishments. Think hat, eyes, nose, mouth, etc. Don’t forget to trace your child’s hands, so the cutouts can become the scarecrow’s hair. Once they are done with the tissue paper step, staple/glue on all the scarecrow features to finish off the paper plate scarecrow.

Yarn Pumpkin

My family and I used this method to make “birdhouses” in the spring, but it works great for fall activities like DIY pumpkins! Start by blowing up a round balloon to the desired size, then tie. Fill a bowl with Elmer’s glue and cut pieces of orange yarn to 36 inches. Submerge the yarn pieces completely, then pinch off the excess as you pull it out. Place on the balloon as desired. The more you put on, the more it will look like a pumpkin. But be sure to leave some small, uncovered spaces for light to peak through.

Tie a string around the tied-off section, and your yarn-wrapped balloons dry overnight. Once your pumpkins are completely hard, pop the balloon inside and add a stem and some leaves made of pipe cleaners. You could even use some black construction paper to turn them into fun jack-o-lanterns! This DIY fall craft can get a bit messy with kids, so make sure to do it outside or use plenty of newspaper underneath.

Shadow Leaves

Start by collecting leaves. Then, have your child choose their favorite ones. Add a loop of tape to the back of each leaf. Let your child position the leaves as they like. Add red and yellow paint (unmixed) into a cup and let your child mix the paint to create different shades of fall colors. Have them paint with a broad brush or finger paint over the leaves and onto the white paper. When the paint is dry, remove the leaves, and you have a beautiful fall masterpiece!

DIY Wreaths for Fall Crafts

A wreath can really spruce up the front of your home and make anyone who walks through your door feel welcome. Check out some of our favorite wreath ideas that you can make yourself a fun fall craft.

Acorn Wreath

Acorns make adorable rustic autumn wreaths! Use a grapevine for your wreath base. Then, hot glue your acorns to the base until all the space is filled. Optionally, once the wreath is dry, you can mist it all over with a “gold glimmer mist” for a little bit of extra shine. Add a burlap bow to the top, and you’re all set!

Bandana Wreath

Bandanas (and headscarves) made a comeback in a big way this year as we embraced the hippie-nomad-of-the-60s look. But since bandanas are so easy to find (and in so many colors), this can be an easy fall craft for anyone to try! Grab a wire wreath base from your favorite craft store, and tie your bandanas on in alternating fall colors like red, orange, yellow, and moss green.

Birch Leaf Wreath

This uniquely eye-catching wreath would look great anywhere! Trace leaf cookie cutters onto the backs of strips of birch bark. Then, use an X-ACTO knife to cut them out. You’ll need about 75 total. Hot glue half the birch leaves around a 20-inch foam wreath form. Then, hot glue 5/8 inch wooden cubes to the backs of the remaining leaves, then layer them into the wreath to create a 3-D effect.

What Are Your Favorite Fall Crafts?

What are your favorite craft ideas for fall? Whether you’ve adorned your front porch fall decor with lanterns, gourds, and garland, or you’ve bought a craft kit to cut out all the guesswork, share your favorite ideas and masterpieces with others in the creative community on FamilyApp!