15 Easy Fall Crafts for Toddlers That Are Super Fun

After years of crafting with kids of all ages, I’ve learned one thing—toddlers don’t need fancy supplies or perfect results. They just need simple projects, a little guidance, and space to explore. Fall is the perfect season for this. 

The textures, colors, and nature all around make it easy to get creative. I’ve put together 15 fall craft ideas designed specifically for little ones, ages 2 to 5. 

These are beginner-friendly, mess-tolerant, and totally safe—with materials you likely already have at home. If you’re looking for easy ways to keep your toddler engaged while making something sweet together, you’re in the right place. 

Let’s get started.

Table of Contents

• Why Fall Crafts Are Perfect for Your Toddler
• How I Chose These Crafts
• 15 Fall Crafts to Delight Your Toddler
  • 1. Paper Plate Pumpkins
  • 2. Leaf Rubbing Collage
  • 3. Cotton Ball Apples
  • 4. Handprint Fall Tree
  • 5. Pumpkin Seed Art
  • 6. Paper Bag Scarecrows
  • 7. Fall Leaf Suncatchers
  • 8. Pinecone Turkeys
  • 9. Fingerprint Acorn Art
  • 10. Paper Pumpkin Lanterns
  • 11. Corn Cob Painting
  • 12. Fall Sensory Bottles
  • 13. Tissue Paper Pumpkin Wreath
  • 14. Apple Stamping
  • 15. Yarn-Wrapped Pumpkins
• Tips for Crafting Success
• Wrapping Up the Fall Fun

Why Fall Crafts Are Perfect for Your Toddler

Crafting with toddlers is all about exploration. Fall brings vibrant colors and natural treasures like leaves and pinecones. It’s the ideal season to spark their curiosity. These crafts are safe, quick, and packed with sensory fun. 

They help your toddler develop fine motor skills, learn colors, and enjoy quality time with you. I’ve chosen projects that capture the spirit of fall—think pumpkins, apples, and Thanksgiving turkeys. 

They’re perfect for short attention spans and big imaginations. Ready to get started? Let’s make some fall magic together!

How I Chose These Crafts

I wanted these crafts to be toddler-friendly and stress-free for you. Safety comes first, so every project uses non-toxic materials and avoids small parts. 

Each craft is simple, with just a few steps to keep your little one engaged for 10 to 30 minutes. They’re designed to boost skills like hand-eye coordination and sensory exploration. 

Most materials are things you already have at home, like paper plates or yarn, to keep costs low. 

Every craft celebrates fall themes—pumpkins, leaves, harvest vibes—to make the season come alive. Let’s explore the projects!

15 Fall Crafts to Delight Your Toddler

1. Paper Plate Pumpkins

Paper plate pumpkins are a Halloween hit. They’re so easy and colorful! You’ll need paper plates, orange washable paint, black construction paper, and a glue stick. Have your toddler paint the plate orange—let them get messy! While it dries, cut out triangle eyes and a jack-o’-lantern mouth from black paper. Help them glue the pieces on. Hang it on the fridge or door for spooky decor. This beginner craft is perfect for little hands and takes about 15 minutes. Your toddler will love their silly pumpkin face!

2. Leaf Rubbing Collage

Leaf rubbings are a fantastic way to explore nature. Grab some leaves from your yard, white paper, crayons, and tape. Tape the leaves under the paper (vein side up). Show your toddler how to rub crayons over the paper to reveal leaf shapes. Let them choose bright fall colors like red and yellow. They can add stickers or draw around the rubbings for a collage. This beginner craft is sensory and teaches about leaves. It takes 20 minutes and makes a great keepsake!

3. Cotton Ball Apples

This craft is so soft and fun. You’ll need red construction paper, cotton balls, a glue stick, and green paper for a stem. Cut out an apple shape from the red paper. Let your toddler glue cotton balls all over it for a fluffy texture. Add a green paper stem to finish. It’s a quick 10-minute project that’s perfect for beginners. Your toddler will love the tactile feel and learning about apples. Display it to celebrate fall’s harvest season!

4. Handprint Fall Tree

Handprint crafts are my favorite keepsakes. For this fall tree, you’ll need brown and colorful washable paints, white paper, and a paintbrush. Paint your toddler’s hand brown and stamp it on the paper for the trunk. Then, use red, orange, and yellow paints to stamp their handprints as leaves. Let them go wild with colors! This beginner craft takes 15 minutes and is perfect for framing. It’s a sweet way to capture their tiny hands in a fall scene.

5. Pumpkin Seed Art

Don’t toss those pumpkin seeds after carving! This craft turns them into art. You’ll need pumpkin seeds, food coloring, glue, and paper. Dye the seeds by soaking them in food coloring and water, then let them dry. Draw a simple shape like a pumpkin on paper. Let your toddler glue the colorful seeds to fill it in. This beginner project takes 20 minutes and recycles seeds. It’s great for texture play and creativity. Your toddler will love the bright mosaic!

6. Paper Bag Scarecrows

Scarecrows are so fun for fall. You’ll need brown paper bags, yarn, googly eyes, and glue. Let your toddler glue googly eyes and yarn hair on the bag. Draw or paste a triangle nose and smile with paper scraps. They can add buttons or fabric patches for extra charm. This beginner craft takes 15 minutes and doubles as a puppet for pretend play. Your toddler will giggle at their silly scarecrow. It’s perfect for harvest season fun!

7. Fall Leaf Suncatchers

These suncatchers brighten any window. You’ll need tissue paper in fall colors, black construction paper, glue, and string. Cut leaf shapes from the black paper to make frames. Help your toddler glue tissue paper pieces behind the frames. Attach a string and hang in a sunny window. This beginner craft takes 20 minutes and creates a stained-glass effect. It’s a colorful way to celebrate fall. Your toddler will love watching the light shine through!

8. Pinecone Turkeys

Pinecone turkeys are adorable for Thanksgiving. Grab pinecones, colorful construction paper, googly eyes, and glue. Cut feather shapes from the paper. Let your toddler glue them to the back of the pinecone. Add googly eyes and a paper beak to the front. This beginner craft is quick—about 15 minutes—and perfect for little hands. Display them on your table for a festive touch. Your toddler will love their cute turkey friends!

9. Fingerprint Acorn Art

Finger painting is always a hit. For this craft, you’ll need brown and tan washable paint, paper, and a marker. Draw an acorn outline on the paper. Let your toddler dip their fingers in paint to stamp the acorn’s body (brown) and cap (tan). Use a marker to add details like lines on the cap. This beginner project takes 10 minutes and is messy fun. It helps with motor skills and teaches shapes. Your toddler will love getting their hands dirty!

10. Paper Pumpkin Lanterns

These lanterns glow safely with LED lights. You’ll need orange construction paper, a green pipe cleaner, tape, and an LED tea light. Cut the paper into strips. Help your toddler tape the strips into a pumpkin shape (fan them out and connect at the top). Add a pipe cleaner stem. Place an LED tea light inside. This beginner craft takes 20 minutes and looks festive on a shelf. Your toddler will be amazed by the glow!

11. Corn Cob Painting

Corn cobs make the coolest paint rollers. You’ll need corn cobs (husks removed), washable paint, and paper. Pour paint onto a plate. Show your toddler how to roll the cob in paint and then roll it on paper. The texture creates fun patterns. This beginner craft takes 15 minutes and is super sensory. It’s a unique way to explore fall’s harvest theme. Your toddler will love the rolling action!

12. Fall Sensory Bottles

Sensory bottles are calming and fun. You’ll need a plastic bottle, glitter, small leaves, water, and glue. Fill the bottle halfway with water. Let your toddler add glitter and tiny leaves (or confetti). Seal the lid with glue to prevent spills. Shake it up and watch the magic! This beginner craft takes 10 minutes and is great for sensory play. Your toddler will love shaking their fall-themed bottle. It’s perfect for quiet moments.

13. Tissue Paper Pumpkin Wreath

This wreath is bright and cheerful. You’ll need a paper plate, orange tissue paper, glue, and green paper. Cut the center out of the plate to make a ring. Let your toddler scrunch tissue paper into pom-poms and glue them onto the ring. Add a green paper stem. This beginner craft takes 20 minutes and looks great on your door. It’s a fun way to decorate for fall. Your toddler will love the fluffy texture!

14. Apple Stamping

Apple stamping is a juicy way to craft. You’ll need apples, red washable paint, paper, and a knife (for adult use). Cut an apple in half to reveal the star shape inside. Let your toddler dip it in paint and stamp it on paper. They can make patterns or a big apple orchard. This beginner craft takes 15 minutes and teaches about fruit. Your toddler will love the stamping fun!

15. Yarn-Wrapped Pumpkins

These pumpkins are cozy and cute. You’ll need cardboard, orange yarn, glue, and a green pipe cleaner. Cut a pumpkin shape from cardboard. Help your toddler wrap yarn around it, securing with glue as needed. Add a pipe cleaner stem. This beginner craft takes 20 minutes and is great for fine motor skills. Display it or hang it up for fall decor. Your toddler will love wrapping and creating their pumpkin!

Tips for Crafting Success

I want you and your toddler to have a blast. Safety is key, so always supervise closely. Use non-toxic materials like washable paints and glue sticks. Avoid anything small enough to be a choking hazard. 

Set up a mess-friendly area with a tablecloth or old shirt as a smock. Cleanup is easier that way! Let your toddler participate, but help with tricky steps like cutting. Store crafts in a memory box or display them for a week to avoid clutter. 

Try simpler versions for younger toddlers, like fewer steps or bigger pieces. These tips will make crafting smooth and fun!

Wrapping Up the Fall Fun

These 15 fall crafts are perfect for your toddler’s creativity. 

From fluffy apples to glowing lanterns, they’re all about fun and learning. I love how they bring the season to life—pumpkins, leaves, and turkeys galore! Crafting with your little one builds skills and precious memories. 

Pick a project, grab your supplies, and enjoy the giggles. Share the fun with other parents or grandparents. Fall is all about cozy moments, and these crafts make them extra special. Which one will you try first?