Lovely childcare

Preschool: Autumn-Themed Craft Ideas Recommended for November

20 years of experience as a nursery teacher / kindergarten teacherhiyoko sensei
I’m Hiyoko-sensei, a former nursery school teacher from Hyogo Prefecture. Ever since I was five, my dream was to become a childcare worker, and before I knew it, 20 years had passed since I achieved that dream. Through singing and playing with the children, I kept working with the spirit of someone in their twenties, even as I increasingly felt my physical limits year by year (haha). From here on, I’d like to share helpful information carefully and thoughtfully, drawing on my on-site experience.
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.

In November, as the cold gradually sets in, we get to enjoy beautiful autumn foliage and delicious seasonal flavors.

Why not try some fun crafts that capture those delightful autumn moments?

In this article, we’ll share craft ideas for November that let you feel the season.

We’ve gathered a variety of ideas, including autumn foods made with different materials and projects using natural items like acorns.

They’re all activities children can enjoy!

As November gets colder, let’s make the most of autumn indoors!

Because the items children make are treated as works, we refer to them as “seisaku” (productions) in the text.

[Childcare] Autumn-themed craft ideas recommended for November (111–120)

Paper tape hedgehog

This wall decoration features an adorable hedgehog with colorful, spiky quills! Hedgehogs are popular animals that often appear in picture books, and in recent years they’ve grown in popularity as pets too, so kids are sure to have a great time with this activity.

Once you’ve prepared the hedgehog-shaped construction paper as the base, simply cut strips of paper tape and stick them on freely.

When you’re done, draw in the eyes and nose to finish it off.

For cutting the paper tape, you can tear it by hand, use scissors, have the teacher pre-cut it, or choose whatever method best suits the children.

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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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Pop-out roasted sweet potato

A unique craft idea features a roasted sweet potato popping out from a campfire.

You can make the mechanism using two paper cups and twine.

Since the mechanism involves making holes, it’s best for the teacher to handle that part.

The children can draw campfires and roasted sweet potatoes on the cups, or cut and create them with origami! It’s really fun to pull the string and see a piping hot sweet potato pop out from the campfire, and the kids will likely be absorbed in playing with it.

You can also stack three or more paper cups, or adapt the design with seasonal motifs for even more fun!

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Crayon-resist painting: Fallen leaves

Creating an autumn wall display with fallen leaves! Explained by a preschool teacher (for 4- and 5-year-olds)

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.

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[Sponge] Autumn Sky Craft

[Kindergarten/Preschool] Easy tearing craft! September autumn sky: a painting/craft of an aerial stroll among mackerel clouds

[Sponge] Autumn Sky Craft

This is a craft project to create an autumn sky with mackerel clouds using a sponge and thin calligraphy paper.

Prepare an orange sheet of construction paper, then use a sponge soaked with paints such as orange and white to dab on curved patterns.

Because “autumn sky” might be hard for children to imagine, it’s recommended to show photos or have teachers demonstrate an example.

Once the paint is completely dry, tear the thin paper and paste the pieces on as mackerel clouds to complete the autumn sky! Try arranging it further by adding origami airplanes or portraits of children looking up at the sky.

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Bagworm made with torn-paper collage

[Making Bagworms] Autumn Craft: Tearing Paper Play for Children (Nursery School / Kindergarten)

Bagworm made with torn-paper collage

How about trying a seasonal fall craft—bagworms—using torn-paper collage, a favorite with children? You’ll need brown origami paper, a toilet paper roll, glue, and so on.

Prepare the bagworm’s eyes in advance as the teacher.

First, tear the origami paper.

It’s nice to have several shades of brown.

Next, glue the torn pieces onto the toilet paper roll, covering it so there are no gaps.

Finally, attach the eyes and it’s done.

Tearing the paper engages the senses through touch and sound, and it also serves as fine motor practice!

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Acorn cutlery case

Origami acorn cutlery case (spoon case)

Acorn cutlery case

How about making an acorn-shaped cutlery case for autumn crafts that can store spoons and more? Attach it to the bento you bring to fall events, and it’s sure to catch everyone’s eye! Use a regular-sized sheet of origami and stick a smaller sheet onto the back corner.

Think of the piece attached at the corner as the acorn’s cap—it’s simple to make, which is part of the charm.

The finished piece has a pocket where you can tuck in your cutlery.

Try customizing it as a spoon case for kids or as an autumn decoration!

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