Fall is the perfect time to get creative with indoor activities, especially when the weather starts to cool down. Finding fun and affordable fall crafts that the whole family can enjoy doesn’t have to be difficult! Whether you’re looking for fall crafts for kids, DIY decorations, or festive activities, this list has you covered. Most of these projects use materials you likely already have at home, making them ideal for anyone seeking fall crafts on a budget. Let’s dive into some simple, budget-friendly, and fun ideas for your fall crafting sessions!
1. Handprint Turkeys
Materials:
- Construction paper (brown, red, yellow, orange)
- Scissors
- Glue
- Googly eyes
- Markers, crayons, or paint
This classic fall craft is perfect for Thanksgiving. To create your handprint turkey, trace your child’s hand on brown construction paper and cut it out. Cut feather shapes from red, yellow, and orange construction paper and glue them to the fingers of the handprint. Add googly eyes to the thumb (the turkey’s head), and glue on a small triangle cut from paper for the beak. Let your child use markers, crayons, or paint to add details and bring their turkey to life!
2. Toilet Paper Roll Scarecrows
Materials:
- Empty toilet paper rolls
- Fabric scraps
- Yarn
- Googly eyes
- Markers or paint
- Glue
- Felt (for the hats)
This adorable fall craft recycles toilet paper rolls to create mini scarecrows. Wrap small pieces of fabric around the roll for the scarecrow’s shirt and glue them in place. Glue short yarn pieces around the top of the roll for hair, and draw or paint a friendly face just below. Add googly eyes for extra charm. To finish, cut a felt hat and glue it to the top of the scarecrow. Get creative with additional details like buttons or scarves!
3. Paper Bag Trees
Materials:
- Brown paper bags
- Construction paper (orange, red, yellow)
- Scissors
- Glue
Turn ordinary paper bags into mini autumn trees! Start by crumpling the brown paper bag to give it a textured, bark-like appearance. Cut strips from the top halfway down to form branches, then twist the bottom of the bag to make the trunk. Fan out the cut strips to resemble tree branches. Cut leaf shapes from red, orange, and yellow construction paper, and glue them onto the branches. You can also use this craft as a Thanksgiving tradition by having each family member write something they’re thankful for on a leaf.
4. Egg Carton Owls
Materials:
- Empty egg cartons
- Paint
- Googly eyes
- Construction paper (for beaks and wings)
- Glue
- Scissors
Recycle your egg cartons to make these cute little owls! Start by cutting individual egg cups from the carton. Paint the cups in fall colors like brown, gray, or white. Glue googly eyes onto the top of the egg cup, and cut out a small triangle from yellow or orange paper to make the owl’s beak. Cut out wings from construction paper and glue them onto the sides. These little owls make adorable fall decorations, and they can even be used as Thanksgiving place settings!
5. Popsicle Stick Pumpkins
Materials:
- Popsicle sticks (6 to 8 per pumpkin)
- Orange paint
- Green pipe cleaners or felt (for the stem)
- Brown or green construction paper (optional leaves)
- Glue
- Black marker or paint for pumpkin faces (optional)
- Scissors
For a fun and simple fall craft, try making popsicle stick pumpkins! Line up 6 to 8 popsicle sticks to form a pumpkin shape, and glue two smaller sticks across the back to hold them together. Paint the front orange and let it dry. Add a green pipe cleaner or felt stem at the top, and for an extra touch, draw a Jack-o’-lantern face or add construction paper leaves. These cute little pumpkins are perfect for decorating your home during the fall season!
6. Pumpkin Paper Bag Lanterns
Materials:
- Small paper bags
- Orange paint
- Black construction paper or marker
- Scissors
- Battery-operated LED lights
Illuminate your home with these easy DIY pumpkin lanterns! Start by painting small paper bags orange and letting them dry completely. Cut out Jack-o’-lantern faces on the front of the bag or draw them on with a black marker. If you cut the faces, the LED light will shine through better. Place a battery-operated LED light inside the bag, fold the top down neatly, and turn on the lights for a glowing, festive display. These lanterns are perfect for fall or Halloween décor!
7. Pom Pom Spiders
Materials:
- Black pom poms
- Black pipe cleaners
- Googly eyes
- Glue
- Scissors
Get spooky with these fun fall crafts for kids! Take a black pom pom to serve as the spider’s body, and cut black pipe cleaners into small sections for the legs. Attach the legs to the sides of the pom pom, and glue on googly eyes at the front. You can make a bunch of these little spiders to add a spooky touch to your home during Halloween. Feel free to use colorful pom poms and pipe cleaners for a fun, playful variation!
8. Paper Straw Scarecrows
Materials:
- Paper straws
- Glue
- Craft sticks
- Fabric or paper scraps
- Markers
- Googly eyes
Create cute little scarecrows with some simple materials. Cut paper straws into smaller pieces for the scarecrow’s arms and legs, and glue them onto a craft stick. Use scraps of fabric or paper to make the scarecrow’s shirt, and glue it to the craft stick body. Add googly eyes and draw a friendly face with markers. To finish, cut out a small felt or paper hat and glue it to the top of the scarecrow’s head. These can be used as cute fall decorations or even bookmarks!
These fall crafts and activities are perfect for both kids and adults looking to embrace the season in a creative way. Whether you’re looking for fall crafts DIY projects, festive decorations, or fun activities to do with family and friends, these ideas are sure to spark joy. They’re budget-friendly, easy to make, and full of fall spirit!
So gather your materials, get cozy, and enjoy a crafty fall season! With just a few supplies, you’ll be able to create adorable and affordable fall crafts that bring warmth and fun to your home. Happy crafting!