The weather has cooled and we’re bringing the outdoors in with these five fall activities. As your children collect items, paints, and glues, encourage reflective conversation surrounding all the things you’re thankful for. These crafts are simple enough for toddlers and when they’re finished crafting, their art can double as gifts or festive decorations.
Collect pinecones and paint them
This goes hand in hand with Fall Leaf painting below. Throw on your hat and jacket, head outside and collect pinecones. After you have collected your desired amount, soak the pine cones for 10-20 minutes in a bucket of water with ½ cup of white vinegar. This helps kill any bugs or mildew and remove settled in debris. Place the pine cones on baking sheets and bake for two hours at 200-250 degrees Fahrenheit. For safety, check them frequently!! The pinecones will be fully open, dry and shiny when finished baking. Allow to cool completely and then decorate! Display as centerpiece or at place settings for Thanksgiving dinner.
Fingerprint Tree
A perfect craft to celebrate the season, invite your child to practice their fine motor skills while creating a beautiful fall tree. Trace your child’s hand and forearm to create the tree trunk template. Put out paint onto a plate or something your child may press their thumb onto. Their thumbprints can make grass at the base of the trunk and leaves around the hand area of the tree. Once they’re finished painting and their prints have dried, you can remove the tree trunk and have them paint the trunk or, alternatively, leave the paper template.
Apple stamping / pumpkin craft
Grab a leftover apple from your recent trip to the orchard and turn them into pumpkin stamps. Slice the apple in half and have your child either dip their apple in paint or paint the halved apple then carefully press down onto construction paper. As your pumpkin dries, prepare googly eyes and cut your brown and green pipe cleaners. Finish the project by adding in green and brown pipe cleaners and googly eyes.
Cheerio Corn on the Cob Kid Craft
Print my corn template, color in the center of the corn completely yellow and layer with glue. Have your child lay the cereal on top of the glue until it is covered. Set aside and allow to dry. Glued to my Crafts inspired this fall craft.
Fall Leaf Painting
We continue to bundle up and head outside for enjoyable walks around the neighborhood. Leaves continue to fall from the trees which we gather and bring home for this fun painting activity. Tape down the leaves onto a piece of paper and invite your child to paint. When your child is finished painting, carefully peel off the leaves and tape to see the final product. Keep this activity mess free with a smock from MonogramMary and spill proof paint cups.
