One afternoon, my child asked, “Can we make something together?” A few leaves, some paper, and lots of laughter later, our table turned into a cozy autumn workshop.
At Joycat, we believe these little moments are where creativity and connection truly shine—so we’ve gathered 20 fun fall crafts to enjoy with your kids.
🍂 Leaf Crafts: Learning from Nature
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Leaf Rubbings: Nature’s Hidden Patterns
There’s something magical about watching a leaf’s hidden veins appear on paper—it feels like uncovering a secret from nature.
Doing this together is a calm, cozy way for parents and children to slow down, share observations, and talk about how plants grow. For kids, it’s a hands-on way to strengthen fine motor skills and boost awareness of the natural world.
How to:
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Place a leaf (vein-side up) on a flat surface.
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Cover it with a sheet of paper.
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Hold a crayon sideways and gently rub until the leaf’s pattern appears.
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Leaf Collage Art
Instead of fancy tools, all you need is a pile of autumn leaves, some glue, and imagination. Parents and kids can sit together after a walk, spread the leaves on the table, and turn them into colorful collages—like, like a fall forest, a rainbow, or even a family portrait.
It’s simple, relaxing, and gives children a chance to practice creativity, storytelling, and arranging shapes while parents enjoy the bonding time.
How to:
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Collect a variety of colorful leaves during a walk.
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Spread them out on a piece of paper or cardboard.
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Arrange the leaves into patterns, pictures, or scenes.
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Glue them down and add marker details if you like.
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Handprint Leaf Wreath
This project turns your child’s handprints into a beautiful fall wreath—like capturing a moment in time. Parents will love the keepsake value, while kids practice tracing, cutting, and gluing skills.
It’s a wonderful way to decorate the home together while celebrating growth, family, and the season of change.
How to:
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Cut out the center of a paper plate to form a ring.
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Trace your child’s hand on colored paper several times and cut them out.
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Glue the paper handprints around the plate to create a wreath of “leaves.”
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Leafy Animal Creations
A walk outside becomes even more fun when kids know they’ll use their collected leaves to build a zoo at home. Parents and children can brainstorm animals together, laugh at silly shapes, and turn ordinary leaves into extraordinary creatures.
This activity encourages storytelling, abstract thinking, and imagination, while giving families a chance to bond over shared creativity.
How to:
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Collect leaves of various shapes and sizes.
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Arrange them on a piece of paper to resemble animals (e.g., a maple leaf as a lion’s mane).
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Glue the leaves in place.
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Add details with markers to complete your leafy creatures.
🎃 Pumpkin & Apple Crafts
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Apple Stamping
Turning a crisp fall apple into a paintbrush is a delightful sensory surprise. Stamping together is a fun way for parents and children to see cause-and-effect in action. For kids, this simple process introduces early math concepts like patterns and symmetry, all while creating a beautiful piece of art.
How to:
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With adult help, cut an apple in half.
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Dip the cut side into a shallow dish of washable paint.
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Press it firmly onto paper to create apple prints.
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No-Carve Pumpkin Decorating
Carving pumpkins can be tricky, but decorating them is pure fun! This activity allows parents and children to collaborate on a festive centerpiece without any sharp tools.
For kids, it’s a wonderful sensory experience that encourages creative planning and boosts self-confidence as their unique character comes to life.
How to:
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Wash and dry a small pumpkin.
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Use markers, paint, glue, and craft supplies like googly eyes or yarn to create a silly or spooky face.
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Paper Plate Pumpkin Pie
This sweet craft is a perfect way for parents and children to talk about Thanksgiving traditions and the joy of baking together. For kids, it’s a fun role-playing prop that helps develop language skills and creativity as they pretend to serve up a delicious dessert.
How to:
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Color a paper plate orange.
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Glue a big dollop of "whipped cream" (cotton balls) in the center.
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For a fun sensory twist, sprinkle a little cinnamon on the glue!
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Beaded Pipe Cleaner Pumpkins
Making these little 3D pumpkins is a great quiet-time activity for parents and children to do side-by-side. The repetitive motion can be calming and offers a wonderful opportunity for conversation. For kids, it's an excellent workout for fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination that are essential for learning to write.
How to:
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String orange beads onto several pipe cleaners.
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Gather the ends, twist them together, and fan the pipe cleaners out to create a pumpkin shape.
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Add a small piece of a green pipe cleaner at the top for a stem.
🦉 Cozy Woodland Creatures
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Pinecone Owls
A walk to find the perfect pinecone is a great adventure for parents and children. Assembling your owl back at home becomes a moment of shared creation. For kids, this activity develops fine motor control as they handle small pieces and encourages storytelling as their new woodland friend comes to life.
How to:
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Cut small wings, a beak, and feet from felt or construction paper.
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Glue the pieces and some big googly eyes onto a pinecone.
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Paper Plate Fox
This project is a fantastic little engineering challenge for a parent and child to figure out together. The moment a flat paper plate transforms into a 3D animal is pure magic. For kids, this craft teaches spatial reasoning as they learn how shapes can be folded and rolled to create new forms.
How to:
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Cut a paper plate in half.
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Roll one half into a cone for the body and secure it.
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Use the other half to cut out a head and a bushy tail to assemble your fox.
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Handprint Hedgehog
This craft captures a sweet moment in time by using your child's own handprint. It’s a wonderful opportunity for parents to get a little messy with their kids and create a cherished keepsake. For children, it’s a fun sensory experience that also teaches body awareness.
How to:
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Paint your child's palm brown.
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Press it onto paper with fingers spread wide to create the hedgehog's body and spikes.
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Once dry, use a marker to add a face and feet.
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Toilet Paper Roll Squirrel
Transforming a simple toilet paper roll into a cute squirrel is a fun way to teach children about recycling and creativity. Parents and kids can work together to bring their character to life. This craft fosters resourcefulness by showing children that art can be made from everyday objects.
How to:
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Paint toilet paper roll brown.
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Cut a bushy tail from construction paper and glue it on.
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Add googly eyes and draw a friendly face.
Autumn is a season for gathering together and getting creative. We hope these simple and fun craft activities bring warmth, joy, and valuable bonding time to your family. As we always say, the goal isn't a perfect final product, but the rich process of learning, laughing, and exploring together, which is the true Power of Play.
🍁 Fall crafts are more than projects—they’re moments shared. Now it’s your turn: try one of these ideas with your kids, snap a photo, and share it in our community group. You’ll inspire other families and get the chance to win a $500 Creative Gift Pack! 🎁✨
