3 Fun autumn crafts for kids

Let your children live the season with these three cheap and cheerful autumn crafts.

After a long hot summer, autumn is that breath of fresh air you’ve been waiting for. It’s time to get out and enjoy some crisp mornings and if you’re looking for something to distract the kids you can thank mother nature for the abundance she has provided — colourful leaves just begging to be collected and turned into some truly season-inspiring crafts.

We’ve collected three of our favourite autumn crafts for you to enjoy with your little ones. Perfect for any age, these crafts are a great way to get your kids out of the house and learning about the change of season.

Autumn crown

Do you have a little woodland prince or princess who deserves to be crowned in autumnal goodness? These leaf crowns can be made year round but we think they look best in all their golden glory.

Supplies:

• A collection of autumn leaves (about 15 will do, depending on their size)
• Scissors

Instructions:

Get your children to collect an assortment of colourful autumn leaves. Those that have freshly fallen and are still soft work best — look for bright red and orange maple or chestnut leaves if you can find them.

Next, cut the tip off the stem of each leaf. Fold the leaf in half, then poke the stem of another leaf through the folded edge of the first leaf, threading the stem in and out to secure it. If your kids are old enough they can do this themselves — for smaller children, a helping hand may be required.

Continue this pattern until you have a string of leaves that will fit around your little one’s head before connecting the two ends by threading the final stem through the last leaf.

Finish off the crown by sliding a feature leaf into the front and perch it upon your woodland fairy’s head, ready for adventure.

Leaf garland

If autumn leaves are in short supply, never fear — this paper autumn leaf garland will have your room feeling seasonal in no time and is a great way to keep your kids occupied cutting out different shapes.

Looking for an all-seasons garland? Here’s an easy guide to DIY bunting >>

Supplies:

• A stack of colourful craft paper or felt (autumn colours work best)
• Scissors
• Twine
• A hole punch (optional)
• A computer and a printer (optional)

Instructions:

Using a computer, find and print the outlines of a selection of leaves to use as templates. If you prefer, feel free to draw your own templates to use.

Draw outlines of the different shaped leaves on the coloured paper or felt. If your children are old enough, let them cut out each leaf and punch or cut a hole in the top of each one.

Get your kids to lay out the garland in the order they want then thread twine through the holes — making sure to tie each leaf in place — to create a garland. Hang over a mantle, a bed head, a door or around a window to add an instant autumn feel to your home.

Autumn wall mandala

A mandala — sanskrit for “circle” — is a geometric figure that represents the universe in Hindu and Buddhist symbolism. What better way to help your family celebrate the circle of seasons than with your very own autumn leaf wall mandala?

Supplies:

• Autumn leaves (the size of your mandala will depend on the number of leaves you have)
• Mod Podge
• Paintbrush
• Blue-tac

Instructions:

First, collect your autumn leaves. Aim to gather a variety of colours and shapes — take your kids to a local park or for a walk in the woods and let them run wild finding the prettiest and most interesting leaves.

Next, coat each side of every leaf in Mod Podge and leave to dry on some greaseproof baking paper.

Finally, let your kids arrange the leaves in a circle on a wall using blue-tac in a pattern that suits their fancy. Use the exercise to talk to them about colours or the cycle of seasons.

More crafts for kids

5 Crafts for boys
3 Toddler crafts you can make right now
DIY fruit and vegetable stamps