[Childcare] Autumn craft ideas
We’ve gathered fall craft ideas that are perfect for childcare!
Autumn is a comfortable season with plenty of chances to go for walks and play outside.
Children are likely to pick up all sorts of intriguing things—acorns, pinecones, leaves, and more.
In this article, we introduce crafts that use found items as materials, as well as projects made with construction paper, origami paper, and recycled materials.
We’ve collected a wide range of ideas—from toys kids can play with after making them to decorations for wall displays—so try choosing activities that suit the children’s ages and have fun creating together!
- [Childcare] For 5-year-olds! Autumn craft ideas
- [November] Enjoy with 3-year-olds! Craft activity ideas recommended for autumn
- Grape craft ideas to enjoy in childcare! Have fun making autumn fruits
- Hedgehog crafts for daycare and kindergarten! A collection of ideas to enjoy autumn in childcare
- [Childcare] Recommended for 3-year-olds! Craft activity ideas
- Even 1-year-olds will be captivated! A collection of craft ideas to enjoy the art-filled autumn
- September: Autumn crafts! Ideas you can use in childcare
- Exciting September crafts for 4-year-olds! A special collection of fun ideas with autumn-themed motifs
- [Autumn Activities] Nature Play and Craft Ideas for Fall to Incorporate into Childcare!
- [October] Craft ideas for fall you can use in childcare
- Get kids excited in November! A collection of play and craft ideas using autumn’s natural treasures
- Preschool: Autumn-Themed Craft Ideas Recommended for November
- [For 3-year-olds] Perfect for September! A Collection of Craft Ideas to Enjoy Autumn Nature
[Childcare] Autumn Craft Ideas (181–190)
A Small Autumn Made with Torn-Paper Collage
Let’s try creating a little taste of autumn on a paper plate.
Like a torn-paper collage, glue small pieces of origami paper onto the plate.
Tear red, yellow, and orange origami into small pieces to evoke autumn colors and turning leaves.
To make it easy to stick the pieces on, first apply glue evenly and thoroughly over the entire surface of the paper plate.
Once the collage is complete, make autumn icons—acorns and chestnuts—out of origami to decorate on top.
Cute acorns on fallen leaves—your piece will feel like autumn has been tightly gathered and captured.
[Childcare] Autumn Craft Ideas (191–200)
Torn-paper picture bagworm
Tear pieces of origami paper and dress the little bagworm! First, cut construction paper to make the base for the bagworm.
The dressing step is a joint activity between the teacher and the children.
As the children tear the origami paper, paste the pieces onto the bagworm’s body, layering them as you go.
Using various colors and patterns is recommended to make it bright and colorful.
Once your unique bagworms are finished, complete the project by mounting them on a backing sheet or decorating the wall together with autumn motifs such as autumn leaves and acorns.
A den-den daiko (hand drum) made with acorns
Autumn is a great season for walks, isn’t it? If you go out for a stroll during a nursery or kindergarten recreation activity and collect fallen leaves and acorns, why not try making a den-den daiko (hand drum)? Using seasonal materials, you can create a unique, artistic instrument! First, use cellophane tape to attach the fallen leaves around the edge of a paper plate, then glue a chopstick to the bottom of the plate.
Next, glue another paper plate on top in the same orientation, and staple acorns tied with twine to two spots on the left and right—done! You can also draw freely on the plates, stamp with the leaves, or roll marbles over them to make patterns.
Acorn-cap painting activity
Here’s a fall craft idea that makes the most of the acorn’s adorable shape! First, paint patterns on origami paper using paints, or try marble rolling to add color.
Next, fold the colored origami into an acorn cap shape.
To finish, make your own face and put the acorn cap on top! You can cut the face out of construction paper, or cut out faces the children have drawn on construction paper.
It’s exciting to imagine what kind of original, creativity-filled art 5-year-olds will come up with.
Acorn Frame
This acorn frame is perfect for autumn crafts! The frame is also practical, making it a great gift for friends and family on birthdays or Respect for the Aged Day.
You’ll use two sheets of origami paper—one patterned and one plain—glued together.
Fold the frame parts so the patterned paper ends up on the inside, make four of these pieces, and assemble them at the end.
It takes a bit of effort, but the nice thing is you don’t need any difficult techniques! The inside of the frame looks fine as is, or you could add another layer of patterned origami paper for an even lovelier finish.
Mushrooms in bleeding watercolor
Let’s use wet-on-wet painting to make cute mushrooms for the autumn season.
We’ll start with the stem.
Apply glue all over a sheet of origami paper and attach it to a toilet paper roll.
Fold and glue the excess at the top and bottom inward.
Next, use a coffee filter to make the cap.
Draw patterns on the coffee filter with water-based markers, then mist it with water.
Once it’s dry, firmly glue the stem and cap together.
Your mushroom is complete! Be sure to spray enough water so the ink bleeds nicely.
Prepare several colors of water-based markers and let the children choose their favorites.
Colorful Fallen Leaves: Fun with Wax-Resist Painting
When you run a brush loaded with watercolors over white drawing paper…
mysteriously, all kinds of leaves and nuts appear! This is a resist-painting project: draw an outline on the paper with a white crayon first, then let the children paint over it with their favorite colors—the paint beads up on the crayon lines.
Try dabbing on autumnal reds, yellows, and browns to create a colorful fall-themed piece! It’s perfect for autumn, as kids can enjoy and discover how neighboring colors blend and change where they meet.