Fall Crafts & Activities for Kids

Everybody loves bowling! Put a seasonal twist on this family-favorite pastime by using gourds for pins and a small pumpkin as a ball. Your child will have a blast, and as an added plus, he’ll be working on his fine motor skills, too.

Get the directions for Harvest Bowling.

Your scarecrow may not keep any birds away, but at least he’ll look cute! This craft is fun for all ages, and you can use seasonal items like hay and pumpkins as part of his get-up.

Get the directions for Make a Scarecrow.

Fallen leaves aren’t just for raking–they also make the perfect craft supply! Take a walk with your child and collect as many different kinds and colors of leaves as you can find. When you get home, use your findings to create some fall-inspired crafts.

Get the directions for Leaves and Trees Nature Walk.

Not sure what to do with all the apples you have on hand this time of year? If you’ve got too many to eat, make some apple candlesticks with your leftovers. They’ll look great on your kitchen table.

Get the directions for Apple Candlesticks.

Your child will love setting up his turkey trap, and will love it even more when he finds a trapped “turkey” the next morning. This activity is fun to assemble and, even better, puts your little one’s imagination to work.

Get the directions for Turkey Trap.

Create a fall landscape using items collected in nature as your guide. Take a stroll outside with your child and collect leaves, twigs, pebbles, and anything else you think might look good in a painting. Once you’ve collected your materials, head back inside and use your goods to make a fall landscape to hang on your fridge.

Get the directions for Painted Nature Pictures.

Fall leaves look great pressed and framed. Have your child gather the biggest, most colorful leaves he can find, and press them between wax paper to create a beautiful work of art. You can even display your picture in a homemade twig frame.

Get the directions for Famed Foliage.

Don’t forget to feed the birds this fall! On your next nature walk, find a big and sturdy pinecone to use as the base of your birdfeeder. Smear it with peanut butter, roll it in some bird seed, and voila! You’ve got a homemade bird feeder that will keep your feathered friends happy as the weather gets colder.

Get the directions for Pinecone Bird Feeders.

This activity takes a few days to be completed, but your child will love the end result. Carve a face into an apple and soak it in a bowl of salt water for about an hour, then set it out to dry. As the days go by, the apple will shrink, making it look like a little apple head, perfect for a homemade doll or puppet.

To make the face, peel an apple and remove the core. Use a butter knife to create a face (supervise children closely). Give younger children a head start by defining basic facial features.

Place the apple in a bowl of salty water to begin the drying process. Let the apple soak for about an hour, then dry it with a paper towel.

Insert a Popsicle stick into the bottom of the apple and rest it in a plastic bottle. Now sit back and watch. Every day, the apple will shrivel a bit, and the face will change — eventually, you’ll have a face that looks as old as the hills.

Your kids can make up stories about the “apple people,” or perhaps use them as puppets by decorating the bottle with clothing made of felt, paper, etc.

Fall is prime time for foliage viewing and hiking. Before you head out for a day in the crisp fall weather, have your child help you whip up a batch of homemade trail mix. It’s healthy, delicious, and will keep your family satisfied as you explore the great outdoors.

Get the recipe for Homemade Trail Mix.