Craft ideas for 4-year-olds to try in autumn! Enjoy creative activities with seasonal motifs and events.
In autumn, when the heat eases and it becomes more comfortable, children grow even more in mind and body and become more dependable.
Four-year-olds may be starting to develop an awareness that they’ll soon be the oldest class.
Autumn also brings seasonal motifs and various events that children are surely looking forward to.
We’d love to incorporate these into craft ideas.
So this time, we’ve gathered craft ideas perfect for autumn.
We’re introducing ideas well-suited for four-year-olds, so please use them as a reference.
Because the things children make are treated as works, we use the term “seisaku (制作)” in the text.
Craft ideas for 4-year-olds to try in autumn! Enjoy creative activities with seasonal motifs and events (1–10)
Stained glass of an apple
Apples are one of the fruits that are in season in autumn and a classic snack for children.
This time, we’ll introduce a craft idea using apples as the motif.
Stack two sheets of black construction paper and cut them into the shape of an apple.
Then cut out the inside of both pieces to make two apple-shaped frames.
Once cut, place one of the frames on an opened laminating sheet and stick on small squares (about 2 cm) of red, green, and yellow cellophane.
Be careful not to let the pieces extend beyond the apple frame.
Finally, place the other frame on top and laminate it to complete your apple stained glass!
Chestnut gathering with an original basket
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cjz4r72NBln/This is a craft project to make in-season autumn chestnuts and a chestnut-gathering basket using construction paper and origami! Cut a piece of construction paper into a half circle to form the base of the basket, and have teachers pre-cut vertical slits.
Then weave thin strips of origami paper up and down through the slits to create a basket-like finish.
Decorate a backing sheet or wall with the origami chestnuts and the basket for a piece full of autumn vibes! You can adapt the basket idea for other seasons by changing the materials and colors, so be sure to give it a try.
Production of three-dimensional saury
Let’s make a Pacific saury—an autumn fish that always comes to mind—using a flyer and aluminum foil.
Take one sheet of flyer paper and roll it into a rod shape with your hands.
Wrap aluminum foil around it, and shape one end into a tail.
Then wrap another sheet of aluminum foil around the body, except for the tail, and color it with a pen.
Color the top half of the body blue, the bottom half light blue, and make the tip of the face and the tail yellow.
Of course, it’s fine to let the kids choose their own colors.
If you draw a shichirin (charcoal grill) and some leaves on construction paper and place the saury on top, it will create an even stronger autumn atmosphere—highly recommended.
Donguri Korogashi
https://www.instagram.com/p/CkDyB1sJwTo/Here’s a craft idea that lets kids roll and play with acorns they picked up on a walk.
Prepare a sturdy backing, like cardboard that can stand upright, and create a course by attaching construction paper so the acorns can tumble down.
Add an autumn feel by gluing on paper-cut motifs like ginkgo leaves, maple leaves, and mushrooms, or by drawing decorations around the course.
And that’s your acorn roller, complete! It’s the perfect project for kids who find it boring to just make something and display it—they can actually play with it!
Crayon-resist painting: Fallen leaves
In autumn, leaves in various colors like red, yellow, and brown fall to the ground, making it a fun season for leaf collecting.
This craft idea uses autumn leaves as a motif for a resist painting activity.
It’s a simple process: draw leaves with a white crayon on white drawing paper, then paint over it with any watercolors you like.
The leaves will resist the paint and appear as if they’re popping out, which will surely delight children.
Try drawing several types of autumn leaves, not just one—like maple and ginkgo.
If an adult draws an example first, it may make it easier for the children to get started.
Autumn Owl [in an envelope]
![Autumn Owl [in an envelope]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/bwz-PdZXy1w/sddefault.jpg)
A plain brown envelope transforms into a cute owl! Fold the bottom corners of the envelope toward the center, then fold the resulting triangular flap downward.
Flip it over and fold the opening of the envelope upward.
Make a slit in the center, spread it diagonally, and fold to create the wings.
Turn it to the front again, glue down the parts you folded earlier so they don’t come undone, and attach the eyes and beak made from construction paper.
Finally, stick a few thin strips of origami paper onto the belly area, and your owl made from an envelope is complete!
Halloween candy box
Here’s an idea for a candy box to make before Halloween.
Prepare a milk carton cut 10–12 cm up from the bottom, orange felt to cover the bottom and sides of the carton, and cut out facial features from black felt in advance.
Have the kids glue the felt pieces onto the carton.
Once all the felt is attached, trim any excess with scissors, then tape on a string so it can be worn around the neck to finish.
Since it can come off easily as is, tie a knot at the ends of the string before attaching it.