The fall season evokes a sense of warmth and nostalgia for many. The changing colors of the leaves, the summer heat giving way to a cooler temperature, and the abundance of newly harvested fruits and vegetables all contribute to an image of a family spending a cozy time together, huddling indoors over hearty food and hot drinks. In addition, with holidays such as Halloween and Thanksgiving right around the corner, it can also be the perfect time to whip up some hand-made decorations and spark the creativity of kids and adults alike.
Thus, to make your family’s fall much more fun and engaging, here are some crafting activities that both you and your kids will surely enjoy.
1. Leaf Printing
Gathering fallen leaves and jumping into the pile may be the quintessential fall experience, but there are more creative ways to make use of those leaves as well. For instance, leaf printing lets you capture the unique shapes, patterns, and textures of those leaves by making an impression of them on a piece of paper. To get started, gather leaves with different shapes and sizes. Then, paint one side of each leaf and press them on paper to create a leaf print. Encourage your kids to experiment with different leaves and colors as well as layering their leaf prints to create a textured, multicolored effect.
This technique can also add some flair to otherwise plain-looking items. For example, you can use leaf prints to create custom Koozies or personalized shirts with your kids. Just make sure to use paint that works on fabric so that the prints will last.
2. Acorn and Pine Cone Creatures
Take your kids on a walk and gather together acorns and pine cones of various sizes. You can then challenge them to use their imagination and create adorable or scary creatures using those acorns and pine cones. Prepare art supplies such as glue, paint, yarn, stickers, and googly eyes so the kids will have a lot of choices as they build their creatures. Don’t forget to join in the fun by creating ones of your own as well. Once they’re all done, the little creature creations can then be displayed on the window sill or lined up on the fireplace mantel just in time for Halloween.
3. Fall-Themed Wreaths
Wreaths can add a cozy look to any home or perhaps even a spooky vibe, if you prefer to go with a Halloween-themed wreath. Prepare a foam or cardboard wreath base as well as decorating materials such as ribbons, leaves, gourds, pine cones, dried flowers and more. If your kids would rather make a scarier Halloween wreath, then add in other decorations as well such as plastic bats or spiders and fake cobwebs.
Making wreaths together with your kids isn’t only a fun bonding activity, it can also be a way to help them develop their fine motor skills as they carefully stick each small decor to the wreath. Don’t forget to personalize each wreath by adding a ribbon with each family member’s name written on it as well.
4. Scarecrow Making
Scarecrows can either make for a scary decor during Halloween or simply as a quaint seasonal mascot in your garden. Build a miniature or full-sized scarecrow using old clothes stuffed with straw, leaves, or newspaper. Use wooden sticks as well to prop up the scarecrow into a steady standing position. To add more details to your scarecrow, you may ask the kids to paint on it and choose other accessories they’d like the scarecrow to wear such as hats or gloves.
5. Pumpkin Painting
Carving pumpkins has always been a fall season staple, but why not try something different this year? Pumpkin painting offers an easier way for kids to decorate their own pumpkins while giving them more freedom over their choice of design as well. Prepare small pumpkins and gourds together with different paint colors, brushes, and stamps. You may also add in glitter, beads, and other small accessories that you think the kids will want to include on their pumpkins.
Encourage each family member to work on their own pumpkin and to make them as unique as possible. Another great thing about painted pumpkins is that they last longer than carved ones, meaning you can display them for much longer.
6. Pressed Plant Bookmarks
Are you a family of bookworms? If so, then creating bookmarks could be a fun and useful craft project for everyone. First, collect small leaves and flowers and tuck them in a heavy book for a few days. Prepare bookmark-sized slips of clear contact paper after and stick some of the pressed leaves and flowers on its adhesive side. Once you’re done arranging the pressed plants, place another slip of contact paper on top of it to sandwich the plants between the two slips. Make sure to create different varieties so that everyone has their own bookmark or two.
Let your creative juices flow this fall season by gathering the family into fun and engaging craft sessions. You can use this article as a guide to get started or to be inspired in coming up with your own crafting ideas. The important thing is that you and your kids can find joy in creating new things and spending time together this season.