Even 1-year-olds will be captivated! A collection of craft ideas to enjoy the art-filled autumn

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
9 years of experience as a nursery school teacherShibata Risa
I am an active nursery school teacher with 9 years of experience. After graduating from university, I worked at a daycare center. The time I spent happily with children—playing piano, singing songs, and doing finger-play—are priceless memories to me. Currently, while raising three children of my own, I work at an after-school day service, engaging with children and providing individualized developmental support. Drawing on my diverse experiences as a childcare worker and as a mother, I hope to express and convey my thoughts through writing.

When it comes to autumn crafts, there are tons of ideas you can enjoy with children! This time, we’ve gathered autumn craft ideas you can do together with one-year-olds.

From colorful autumn leaves made with newspaper stamping, to grapes made by rolling up tissue paper, to moon-viewing dumplings made from air-dry clay—these are all projects that let you feel the season while having fun.

You can nurture your child’s sensitivity and create wonderful memories at the same time.

We’ll introduce autumn craft ideas perfect for childcare settings or for parents and children to try together! Because we feature ideas that nurture children’s free expression, we use the term “seisaku (制作: creation/production)” in the text.

Even 1-Year-Olds Are Captivated! A Collection of Craft Ideas to Enjoy the Autumn Art Season (31–40)

Spiky hedgehog made with a fork stamp

Here’s a craft idea that uses a fork to create a hedgehog’s spines.

First, cut out a hedgehog silhouette from paper and paste it onto construction paper.

Next, draw the hedgehog’s facial features and decorate with stickers or bits of paper.

Dip a fork into paints mixed from colors like brown, green, and yellow, then stamp the fork onto the hedgehog’s body area.

By placing the fork marks randomly without diluting the paint with water, you can effectively suggest the hedgehog’s spiky texture.

Finally, glue on decorations like leaves or food items to the construction paper, and you’re done.

Give this craft a try to enjoy the fun of stamping with a fork.

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mutō

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A hedgehog made with masking tape

A hedgehog craft idea made with colorful washi (masking) tape.

First, create a hedgehog base using construction paper.

It’s also fun to paint or draw the facial expression with paints or crayons.

Use masking tape to represent the hedgehog’s quills.

The key here is to let children stick the tape freely without deciding on exact positions or how to apply it.

Have them choose their favorite tapes from a wide selection and create their own designs.

Try this idea in childcare settings as a way to nurture children’s expressive skills and imagination.

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mutō

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Apple made with finger stamps and footprints

This is an apple craft made with finger stamps and little footprints.

Paint the bottom of the foot with paint and press it onto the cut surface of the apple—splat! For the pre-cut leaf pieces, have the children dab paint on with their fingers.

Once you glue all the parts together, you’ll have an adorable apple that looks great on a wall display or mounted on a backing sheet as a single artwork.

Kids finish in no time, and capturing those tiny footprints only takes a moment.

It might be nice to create projects that incorporate footprints or handprints for each grade level, so you can preserve their growth in a tangible way.

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yuri

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Autumn Lion

Here’s a craft idea for making an autumn lion using fallen leaves.

Draw the lion’s face in the center on the back side of a paper plate.

Let the children use crayons or other materials to draw the lion however they like.

Once the face is done, stick double-sided tape around the rim of the plate and attach fallen leaves onto the tape.

Go all the way around the plate so the leaves form the lion’s mane.

Mixing green leaves with orange and yellow ones, as well as leaves of various shapes, will create a unique and expressive lion.

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utatane

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The autumn-colored caterpillar

Speaking of caterpillars, we usually think of green ones, but caterpillars dressed in autumn colors are adorable too.

Let’s make a version of the beloved children’s book character, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, using fall foliage colors.

On a sheet of white construction paper, you’ll stamp circles—but the stamp is a blown-up balloon.

Mix a few paints in your favorite autumn shades, press the balloon lightly into the paint, then dab and twist it on the paper to make circles.

Even two-year-olds can have fun bouncing the balloon to stamp! Cut out the circles, add a face, and it’s complete.

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utatane

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Even 1-Year-Olds Will Be Captivated! A Collection of Craft Ideas to Enjoy the Artsy Autumn (41–50)

Fallen leaves with spray paint

Leaves that change color from the lush greens of summer to shades of red and brown.

Those changed leaves eventually fall, tinting the paths with autumn hues.

Let’s recreate those fallen leaves using paint spray! Just dissolve paint in water, pour it into a spray bottle, and you’re ready.

Then spritz it onto paper towels to add color.

Once the colors dry, cut them into leaf shapes, and, if you like, add eyes or decorations with round stickers.

You’ll have bright, adorable fall leaves! Depending on the children’s ages, it may be best for the teacher to handle the prep up to filling the spray bottles with paint.

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SAKI