16 Fall Crafts for Preschoolers

Fall crafts for preschoolers encompass a variety of events, seasons, and holidays, from embracing back-to-school fun to watching summer turn into fall to celebrating fall holidays like Halloween and Thanksgiving. There are so many crafting possibilities! Here are some fun (and mostly inexpensive!) preschool fall crafts to try in your classroom.   

Depending upon where you live, the excitement of fall may bring the house down…or at least the leaves! Gather the colorful fallen leaves to make autumnal placemats. Arrange leaves between two pieces of wax paper and then, on a low setting, iron the top of the paper, gently melting the two pieces together. Beautiful and functional!  

If pine cones are a’ plenty in your neck of the woods, collect them for birdfeeders. Smear peanut butter (or sunflower butter for a nut-free alternative) on the cones, sprinkle birdseed so it sticks, then hang this preschool fall craft outside with string or twine where the children can see them from the classroom window.  

Did your preschool class just visit a pumpkin patch? Download this fun and free activity from Preschool With a Purpose to use with the pumpkin you picked with your class! 

 

If the real thing isn’t readily available, check online or at The Dollar Store for faux nature pieces to create these pine cone centerpieces.   

For a quick nature-centric craft, paint faces on acorns or sparkly designs on pine cones.  

These adorable cupcake turkeys are great scissor practice for small hands.  

A fantastic way to practice gratitude, each of a thankful turkeys’ cardstock feather shares something its little artist is thankful for.    

Pumpkins and apples are quintessential fall goodies! These, made of felt and paper, are simple, colorful creations.   

In keeping with the fall fruit theme, apple stamping is not only fun, but it also helps preschoolers practice fine-motor skills. Teacher tip: cut the apples in half vertically and horizontally for more shape variety when stamping!  

Make use of the season’s pumpkins with these sparkling glitter pumpkins, or try a less messy version: the Washi tape pumpkin.   

This popsicle stick scarecrow is easy and cheap—two things preschool teachers love! Teacher tip: glue the sticks together before class to save time.  

Yet again, we are in our paper plate era with these fox and owl crafts! Simplicity meets fun, especially with the addition of silly wiggle eyes!   

For a personalized preschool fall craft that parents and caregivers will love, make a hand tree. Trace each child’s arm from elbow to hand, creating the tree’s trunk and branches. Children’s autumn-colored thumbs and fingerprints are the leaves.   

Another sweet keepsake craft is the handprint sunflower. Cut-outs of the kids’ hands make the perfect sunflower petals!  

With fall comes football! NFL fans will delight in this paper football and goal craft!   

Did you love this article? Get regular updates about preschool products, teaching tips, and ideas to cultivate joyful learning in your classroom. Don't miss a thing - sign up today!

About the Author:

 

Stephanie Jankowski is an educator and author who lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. When she's not teaching or writing, she's spending time with her children, Brady, Ella, and Lyla, and marveling at just how short the years really are.