I don’t know about you, but when fall arrives, one of my favorite things to do is step into the backyard and watch the colorful leaves gently fall to the ground. The downside?
Cleaning up the mess afterward. But instead of tossing those beautiful maple leaves straight into the compost, why not put them to good use? Here’s a list of easy and creative fall leaf crafts that you and your kids can enjoy together!
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20. Gorgeous Watercolor Fall Leaf Wreath
Creating watercolor autumn leaf crafts has become a cherished fall tradition in our home. This year, we took it a step further by transforming our watercolored leaves into a stunning fall wreath. It’s the perfect fall craft to brighten up your decor!
Start by covering several sheets of watercolor paper with beautiful autumn tones. Using the wet-on-wet technique, wet the paper before the kids start painting.
This method allows the watercolors to blend and flow softly, creating stunning color transitions. Once the paintings are done, let them dry completely.
Next, cut the paintings into quarters, and use the Leaves #2 die and a SuperStar machine to cut out leaf shapes. Each painting should yield about 16 leaves.
Don’t worry if a few leaves have slightly cut edges—those imperfections can be easily hidden in the final wreath.
The painted leaves are breathtaking, with variations in color that rival real autumn leaves! To create the wreath base, cut the center out of a paper plate. Begin attaching the leaves with glue, layering them until the entire wreath form is covered.
The result is a vibrant and unique fall craft that celebrates the beauty of the season—perfect for hanging in your home or giving as a handmade gift!
19. Autumn Leaf Place Cards for Thanksgiving Table
All I need now is the turkey, all the fixings, and five of you to join me at my table!
While I’ll miss cooking Thanksgiving dinner this year since I’ll be off in Amsterdam, I channeled that holiday love into designing a rustic-luxe dinner table setting that celebrates the season’s foliage.
For the name cards, I crafted elegant leaf-shaped designs using Gold Leaf metallic paper from paper-papers.com. These cards add a touch of natural charm and sophistication to the table.
I’ve set up a printable template where the names can be customized directly in the PDF. All you need is the free script font, Herr Von Muellerhoff.
After installing the font, download the template to your computer, open it in Acrobat, and personalize the cards with your dinner guests’ names.
The result is a warm, inviting table setting that captures the essence of fall foliage and the spirit of Thanksgiving!
18. DIY Fall Leaf Garland – Use Real or Faux Leaves
Use hot glue to attach leaves to a ribbon or twine, or simply stitch them onto a string for a charming fall decoration.
For an extra festive touch, attach colorful leaves to string lights to create a glowing fall garland!
Alternatively, glue fall leaves onto book pages to craft a beautiful farmhouse-style garland—perfect for adding a cozy autumn vibe to your home or celebrating Thanksgiving!
17. Fall Watercolor Leaf Art Project
Kids will have so much fun creating their own unique watercolor leaf art! This fall art project is a favorite because no two leaves turn out the same. Download the free printable templates today and try it yourself!
This activity is super simple to set up and requires just a few basic supplies—most of which you probably already have at home.
For younger kids, I recommend using a black crayon for the outlines. Crayons are thinner, easier to handle, and more likely to be readily available.
If you want a bolder, richer outline, oil pastels are a great option and add a more vibrant finish to the final artwork.
If you’re working with little ones, you can skip the crayon step altogether and let them focus on coloring or painting the geometric shapes. It’s a fun, flexible project perfect for kids of all ages!
16. Felt Fall Leaf Wreath Craft Idea
Fall is an ideal time for wreath-making, and we’ve got just the project to celebrate the beauty of the season. This Felt Fall Leaf Wreath is a vibrant, technicolor homage to fall’s stunning foliage.
Wreaths are a classic decor piece that never go out of style, adding charm and warmth to any home.
Whether you’re crafting a seasonal design or opting for greenery that works year-round, a wreath is a perfect way to bring a cozy, welcoming touch to your space. This fall, let the changing leaves inspire your creativity with this beautiful DIY project!
15. Easy Watercolor Fall Tree Painting
How to paint a stunning watercolor tree with fall colors in just 5 minutes! Easy step-by-step tutorial for beginners.
Fall is here, and it’s the perfect time to admire the breathtaking beauty of autumn trees. Today, I’m excited to share a fun and simple art project: painting a tree with vibrant fall colors using watercolors!
Even if you’ve never picked up a paintbrush before, this beginner-friendly tutorial will guide you through each step. In just 10 minutes, you’ll create a stunning fall tree bursting with warm, glorious colors.
It’s the perfect way to celebrate the season and explore your artistic side!
14. Try Sensory Play with Changing Leaves Activities for Kids
If you haven’t introduced sensory play to your children yet, now is the perfect time! Explore these exciting changing leaves activities that are not only fun but also a great way to engage kids with the magic of fall.
13. Easy Fall Leaf Craft For Kids with Free Templates
The beauty of fall is watching the leaves change from green to vibrant yellows and reds. Celebrate this seasonal transformation with a simple and creative leaf craft for kids, complete with free templates to make it even easier!
12. Autumn Estimating Jars with Leaves and Pinecones
I adore autumn, and my 5-year-old loves exploring and working with numbers. So, we combined our favorite things to create a fun and educational estimating activity using jars filled with leaves and pinecones.
11. Leaf Painting – Easy Autumn Activity for Kids
As fall approaches, get inspired with creative ways to paint with leaves! There are endless possibilities for leaf art, making this simple painting activity a perfect choice for kids of all ages to enjoy.
10. DIY Leaf Candle Holder in Mason Jar
Looking for the perfect DIY candle holder? This mason jar leaf candle holder is a simple project you can make yourself. It’s not just fun to create but also a beautiful decor piece for any season.
9. Fall Leaf Bat Crafts for Your Kids
Last year we made a fun chalk art bat craft for preschoolers, but inspiration struck again! These fall leaf bats are quicker to make and just as adorable. If you’re looking for a fast and creative bat craft, this is the perfect option.
8. Dried Leaves in Fall by Mari Schuh
Mari Schuh’s non-fiction book, Leaves in Fall, is perfect for early readers. It explains what happens to leaves during autumn with full-color photos and simple, kid-friendly vocabulary. It’s a fantastic resource to incorporate into classroom lessons.
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Fall arrived quickly in our small Wisconsin town, bringing changing leaves, kids back in school, and pumpkins replacing sweet corn. Gather the kids and head outside to collect leaves for these fun and creative finger puppets—perfect for celebrating the season!
6. Fall Leaf Red Squirrel – Craft Activity for Kids
This Fall Leaf Red Squirrel craft is a wonderful way to get creative using one of nature’s most beautiful materials.
Fall leaves, abundant across the northern hemisphere, are perfect for crafts and home decor projects. This activity lets kids combine art and nature in a fun, imaginative way.
5. Art Projects for Kids with Leaves Using Fingerprints
We’re thrilled to be part of the Virtual Book Club this year! This month’s theme is inspired by Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert.
Check out our list of fun leaf art projects and kids’ activities that pair perfectly with this Fall-themed book. Don’t miss the exciting ideas at the end of the post!
4. Handprint Painted Leaf Calendar
For September’s handprint calendar, I helped my son create a painted handprint leaf. We paired it with a sweet poem, making it a meaningful and personal addition to our fall decor.
3. Mod Podge Nature Art Turtle
Today, we’re crafting a fun nature-inspired turtle using simple materials. All you need is a cardboard box, craft glue, and some natural supplies.
If drawing a turtle shape seems tricky, don’t worry—we’ve included a printable turtle template to trace. This project combines creativity with a love of nature!
2. How to Easily Add Fall to the Walls of Your Home Using Leaves
On a recent walk, I couldn’t resist picking up some beautiful, colorful leaves. Instead of letting them fade away, I turned them into a simple home decor project to bring the warmth of fall indoors.
With this easy guide, you can do the same and add a touch of autumn to your walls!
1. Make Fall Leaf Suncatcher Craft for Kids
For an easy and beautiful autumn craft, try this fall leaf suncatcher! Perfect for toddlers and preschoolers, this paper plate project is simple to make and looks stunning hanging in the window.
Follow our step-by-step instructions to create your unique leaf art—no two suncatchers will look alike, but each one will be dazzling!
I’m Anastasia and I’m a full-time blogger, online entrepreneur, and Pinterest marketing strategist. I help digital entrepreneurs and bloggers drive targeted traffic from Pinterest either through my online courses or through Pinterest consultancy.