19 Easy Fall Leaf Crafts for Kids
As much as I love summertime, I am really looking forward to this fall season— cozy recipes, fun crafts, and getting into the routine of homeschooling for the first time! One thing I am especially looking forward to is more nature-based crafts.
When crisp fall air rolls in and the ground is covered in colorful leaves, you don’t need fancy supplies to keep kids busy—nature has already provided them! These leaf craft ideas are simple enough for toddlers and preschoolers, yet engaging for older kids too.
Here are 20 easy fall leaf crafts (no prep over 5 minutes!) that use real or paper leaves.
1. Contact Paper Leaf Suncatcher
A classic craft kids love—great for fall window art and fine motor skills!
Tape clear contact paper sticky-side up on a table. Kids can press on leaves, tissue squares, feathers… really, whatever their heart desires, then seal with another sheet. They can then hang in the window for glowing autumn art.
We love these contact paper sheets on Amazon!
2. Leaf Rubbings
Showcase leaf textures with crayons—one of the easiest leaf crafts for preschool-aged kiddos.
Slip a leaf under paper, then rub with crayons (wrappers off). Kids love watching the textures and veins appear.
3. Coffee Filter Tie-Dye Leaves
Color paper coffee filters with markers, spritz with water, let dry, and cut into leaf shapes. They look like watercolor leaves without the mess!
You can find a great tutorial on this craft from One Little Project!
4. Leaf Painting (Stamping or Silhouettes)
Paint directly on leaves and stamp them onto paper, or paint around them to create “negative space” leaf outlines. Or just paint the leaves and glue them to the paper!
Really, there is so much creativity kids can show when given a few basic supplies.
5. Leaf Animal Crafts
Turn leaves into owls, hedgehogs, fish, or foxes! Simply glue them to paper, add googly eyes (or just draw on eyes), and markers to bring them to life.
6. DIY Fall Leaf Crown for Toddlers
Use construction paper + leaves for a toddler-friendly autumn crown.
Cut a strip of construction paper into a headband. Tape or glue colorful leaves around it for a festive fall crown. These easy leaf crowns make the perfect accessory for an outdoor nature walk!
7. Nature Leaf Mobile (With Acorns & Pinecones)
Tie leaves and acorns to string, then attach them to a stick or embroidery hoop . Hang in a window as a natural mobile.
Supplies Needed:
8. Leaf Collage Landscapes
Let kids glue down leaves to create trees, houses, or entire outdoor scenes. Add details with markers or tissue paper.
9. Glitter-Edged Leaves
Brush glue onto leaf edges, sprinkle with glitter in gold or copper, and let dry. Instant fall decorations!
For a little less of a mess, opt for glitter glue!
Supplies Needed:
10. Leaf Puppets
This craft idea is perfect for imaginative play and practicing storytelling.
Glue leaves to popsicle sticks. Add faces with markers or googly eyes, and use them for puppet shows.
Supplies Needed:
popsicle sticks (these jumbo popsicle sticks are great for little hands!)
markers or crayons
11. Leaf Wreath
Cut out a circle from cardboard (like a paper plate center or from leftover delivery boxes). Glue leaves around the edge to make a seasonal wreath.
Supplies Needed:
glue sticks
cardboard
12. Leaf Prints with Playdough
Press leaves into playdough to leave behind textured imprints. Kids can roll, stamp, and explore different shapes.
Supplies Needed:
playdough (we love this allergy-friendly playdough)
13. Leaf Maze Game
Glue leaves in a winding path on poster board or a long piece of craft paper. Toddlers can drive toy cars or roll marbles along the leafy track.
14. Leaf Sorting Tray
Provide a basket of leaves in different sizes and colors. Kids sort by shape, shade, or texture—doubling as a Montessori-style activity.
15. Leaf Painting Rocks
Collect smooth rocks, paint them with glue, and press a leaf on top. Seal with Mod Podge (optional) for keepsakes.
16. Paper Doll Fall Leaf Dresses
One craft that I am excited to try this year is this cute idea from Jessicaetcetera.com— she used a roll of craft paper to draw princesses and fairies. Then with a bucket of collected leaves, her kiddos could glue them on to be dresses and accessories.
They turned out so cute and my daughter will love this one!
Supplies Needed:
craft paper
glue sticks
17. Leaf Bracelets (Nature Walk Craft)
Use strips of masking tape (sticky side out) to wrap around a child’s wrist. While on a walk, let them stick small leaves, petals, or nature treasures onto it to create their own fall bracelet.
Supplies Needed:
masking tape
18. Leaf Bookmark Craft
Press and dry flat leaves, then glue them onto cardstock strips to create fall bookmarks. You can also seal with clear contact paper so they last.
Another option is using two strips on packing tape with leaves in between. Then, trim the ends and you’re all set! You could even use a hole punch to add a tassle on top.
Kids love giving these as gifts or keeping them for story time.
Supplies needed:
cardstock
packing tape
hole punch
19. Leaf Sorting Sensory Bin
Fill a bin with leaves, pinecones, and acorns. Add scoops, cups, or tongs for kids to explore textures while practicing fine motor skills.
Supplies needed:
Sensory bin (or even a baking dish or bowl will work!)
scoops (or measuring cups!)
Quick Tips for Fall Leaf Crafts
The goal of this post was to curate a list of super simple fall craft ideas using supplies straight from nature. That said, there are a few things that you can do to make prep even easier
Prep ahead: Flatten leaves in books if you want them to last longer.
Go natural: Leaves, acorns, twigs, and pinecones are free, sustainable supplies that can all be collected on an outside nature walk!
Adapt by age: Toddlers can glue and stick, while preschoolers can cut and arrange. Just follow the developmental level of your little ones!
Celebrate process over product: Kids learn best when they play and explore freely. That means sometimes things don’t turn out “pinterest perfect” and that is okayy!
🍁 Takeaway: Fall leaves make the perfect no-cost craft supply. Whether you need a quick 5-minute activity before nap or a group project for your homeschool co-op, these leaf craft ideas will keep little hands busy and imaginations blooming.
What are some of your favorite craft ideas for little ones during the fall?
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