![[November] Enjoy with 3-year-olds! Craft activity ideas recommended for autumn](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/gqxMkvqpJEU/sddefault.jpg)
[November] Enjoy with 3-year-olds! Craft activity ideas recommended for autumn
November ushers in the heart of autumn.
Many children are probably enjoying outdoor play and walks, experiencing the unique nature and creatures of the season.
In this article, we’re sharing craft play ideas perfect for November that will help you feel the autumn vibe even more.
It’s a collection of ideas ideal for three-year-olds, letting them use their fingertips a lot and enjoy free expression through unique techniques!
We’ve included plenty of autumn-themed motifs—like acorns, fallen leaves, mushrooms, and sweet potatoes—so feel free to make the most of these ideas.
注: 子どもたちが作るものを「作品」として扱うため、本稿ではそれらを「制作（せいせい）」と表記します。
November: Enjoy with 3-year-olds! Recommended Autumn Craft Activity Ideas (1–10)
hedgehog
Hedgehogs with prickly spines are perfect for autumn crafts! Pre-cut the hedgehog’s body and a general “mountain” shape of spines from construction paper.
Add patterns to the spine area as you like.
For example, wrap yarn so it hooks over the spines, or randomly glue on finely cut yarn or origami paper.
For the eyes and nose, draw them in with crayons or stick on round stickers.
Adjust the techniques to match the children’s interests and let them try different approaches!
dragonfly glasses
Dragonflies are a symbol of autumn.
Let’s make colorful, fun “dragonfly glasses” like the ones in the children’s song ‘Tonbo no Megane’ (Dragonfly Glasses)! Wrap colored tape around a pair of wooden chopsticks to create the dragonfly’s body, which will serve as the base.
Use construction paper to make the glasses part and the wings.
Decorate the glasses by sticking on pieces of masking tape in a collage style, and decorate the wings with round stickers however you like.
Trim off any tape or stickers that stick out, attach the parts to the taped chopsticks, and you’re done.
Mushroom with a balloon stamp
https://www.instagram.com/p/ClFwtkGv21P/Would you like to try making mushrooms by stamping with balloons? Have an adult inflate the balloons.
The key is to blow them up a bit smaller so they’re easy for children to hold.
Dip the balloon in paint and stamp it onto construction paper in the color of your choice.
It’s more fun if you use several colors of paint.
Finally, attach the stem pieces and your mushroom is complete.
You can draw patterns on the stem or add a face to create a unique mushroom all your own.
Perfect for autumn wall decorations, too.
Pacific saury in aluminum foil
One of autumn’s seasonal delights is Pacific saury (sanma).
When fall arrives, it makes you want to grill it over a shichirin charcoal stove, doesn’t it? So how about making a sanma craft as an autumn project? Roll a flyer or leaflet into a long, thin tube and wrap aluminum foil around it.
Then shape it like a sanma, add color with pens, and stick on eyes—done! Using blue and yellow gives it a realistic look, but you can also let the children’s creativity lead while looking at pictures or photos of sanma.
You could place them on construction paper with a drawing of a shichirin, or simply paste many of them together to create a lovely autumn wall display.
Cute dragonfly made with origami
Here’s how to make a colorful, three-dimensional dragonfly.
Prepare in advance by cutting out the wings, body, and eyes from construction paper.
Have the children freely draw patterns on the wings, and once they’re done, stick the wings onto the body.
Next, cut a sheet of origami paper in half, and trim a small piece off one end of one half.
Make several strips, roll each into a ring, and glue them closed.
Attach the rings onto the body, add the eyes, and you’re done! Since you’ll be using scissors and glue, proceed within the children’s abilities and without pushing them.
Autumn wreath
In autumn, many of us enjoy going for walks in the park and collecting nuts like acorns and pinecones! Let’s use the nuts you find in nature to make a cute wreath.
Cut a circle out of cardboard with a craft knife to create a wreath base.
It might be better for teachers or parents to prepare the wreath bases.
Have the children glue on nuts, chenille stems (pipe cleaners), pom-poms, and other materials! Display the wreaths in the room or around the school and enjoy them.
Ginkgo leaves made with coffee filters
https://www.tiktok.com/@hoikushi_bank/video/7135751356844920065Dyeing with coffee filters is a popular craft with children because they can enjoy watching the colors change.
When you add water-diluted paint to a coffee filter, the key is how the color slowly spreads through the filter.
Use any colors you like—feel free to try a variety.
Staple the unopened side of the coffee filter into a fan shape to finish.
It might also be fun to use the dyed coffee filters to make message cards or gifts.
