Need some seasonal decorations to warm up your space as the leaves begin to fall? Decorating with handmade crafts is a great way to engage your preschooler in a fun fall activity they’re sure to love.
In between the hayrides and trick-or-treating, set aside some time on the weekend for these eco-friendly and sustainable fall crafts for preschoolers. Welcome in the new season together by choosing a craft to complete as a family. With a few simple supplies, you can make memories and help your little one improve fine motor skills, develop their imagination, and experience the other benefits of paper crafts for preschoolers.
Here are five simple and creative fall crafts that preschoolers could create:
1. Make Leaf Rubbings
We’ll start with a classic: creating leaf rubbings is a tried and true fall activity that crafters of all ages love. You can also use your leaf rubbing craft as a mini-lesson in ecology and biology. You can teach your preschooler to recognize trees by their leaves and bark while you’re gathering supplies for this craft. You’ll be surprised how quickly your child can differentiate an oak leaf (round and curvy) from a maple leaf (lots of spiky tips). Once you’ve gathered a collection of leaf shapes, they can be cut out and arranged into a beautiful fall wreath.
2. Make an Ombre Leaf Rainbow
The best part of autumn is the wide variety of colors present in fallen leaves. From bright greenish yellow to a deep burgundy, fall leaves encompass almost every color of the rainbow! Make use of nature’s palette by arranging fallen leaves into an ombre rainbow or circle and using glue to affix them to cardboard, poster board, or paper. Then, hang the seasonal art on a wall to welcome in the cooler weather!
3. Make a Nature Sculpture
Unconventional sculptor Andy Goldsworthy is famous for his use of natural materials. After a viewing of YouTube clips of his work, your family can go on a nature walk and create art all along the trail. Rocks, leaves, stems, and flowers can all be natural art materials for mini installations and sculptures. The best part about this art? With time, the components will return to the earth where they came from. Now, that’s sustainable art in action!
4. Use Leaves as Your Canvas
Fall leaves also make the perfect canvas for paints! Leaves can serve as parchment or paper to display your child’s unique creativity. First, gather up some broad fall leaves that aren’t too dry, and then grab a paintbrush and acrylic paints. You can paint any type of pattern, color, or shape on your leaves. Once they dry, they can be hung or placed around the house on display.
5. Create Leaf Suncatchers
Your preschooler will enjoy selecting and arranging each “stained-glass window” before you iron the leaves between two sheets of waxed paper to preserve and highlight the vibrant fall colors. Once the waxed paper has cooled, hang the finished creations on a south-facing window. The sun’s rays will illuminate these beautiful, jeweled works of art!
The Gardner School Cultivates Creativity
Encouraging kids to create helps make new connections in their developing brains. The Gardner School prioritizes the arts in our S.T.E.A.M-based curriculum (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math). For daily care that inspires kids to explore, contact us today to learn more, or check out our virtual tours on our website for The Gardner School nearest you.