Easy Fall Crafts for Kids Using Leaves, Pinecones, and Pumpkins

Easy Fall Crafts for Kids Using Leaves, Pinecones, and Pumpkins

Keywords: fall crafts for kids, autumn craft ideas

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Autumn Magic Made Simple

Crisp air, crunchy leaves, and the excitement of pumpkins on every porch — fall is the perfect season for kids to get creative. Instead of expensive craft kits, nature provides everything you need: leaves, pinecones, and pumpkins. These 12+ fun, budget-friendly craft ideas will keep little hands busy, spark creativity, and make your home feel extra cozy.

All you’ll need are some basics (glue, paint, scissors, string) plus a few items you can find in your yard or pick up at the grocery store. Let’s jump into these easy fall crafts for kids that are simple, affordable, and big on charm.

1) Leaf Rubbing Art

• Place leaves under white paper.

• Use crayons or colored pencils to rub over them, revealing the leaf’s texture.

Money saver: Tape the leaves down with painter’s tape so they don’t shift for little hands.

Shop the Look: Fall Decor — Crafting Supplies →

Picture This: Brightly colored papers covered in orange, red, and yellow leaf outlines taped proudly on the fridge.

2) Pinecone Bird Feeders

• Spread peanut butter (or sunflower butter) over pinecones.

• Roll in birdseed and tie with string.

• Hang from trees and watch the birds come!

Tip: Use a butter knife or craft stick for less mess.

Shop the Look: Greenery & Stems for Decorating (great pinecone accents too) →

Picture This: Pinecones dangling from a branch with tiny birds perched nearby.

3) Painted Leaf Garland

• Collect large leaves and flatten them under books overnight.

• Paint with metallic or bright acrylics.

• Punch a hole and string them together.

Time saver: Use twine or jute you already have at home.

Shop the Look: Farmhouse Decor — Rustic String & Twine →

Picture This: A glowing fireplace mantle with a shimmering garland of hand-painted leaves.

4) Pumpkin Stamping with Kids

• Cut mini pumpkins in half to create a “stamp.”

• Dip in paint and press onto paper or fabric.

Money saver: Use brown craft paper as wrapping paper and decorate it with stamped pumpkins.

Shop the Look: Kitchen Essentials — Kids Crafting Aprons →

Picture This: Sheets of paper scattered with orange pumpkin stamps, kids giggling with paint on their fingers.

5) Leaf Crowns

• Tape or staple colorful leaves onto a strip of paper sized to the child’s head.

• Add glitter glue for sparkle.

Tip: Use faux leaves for longer-lasting crowns.

Shop the Look: Fall Decor — Faux Leaves →

Picture This: Kids twirling in leaf crowns, pretending to be woodland royalty.

6) Pinecone Animals

• Use pinecones as animal bodies.

• Add googly eyes, pipe cleaners, and felt to make owls, turkeys, or hedgehogs.

Money saver: Buy a bulk pack of googly eyes — they’ll last all season.

Shop the Look: Craft Essentials — Googly Eyes & Felt →

Picture This: A row of tiny pinecone owls with felt wings sitting on a windowsill.

7) Pumpkin Volcanoes

• Hollow out mini pumpkins.

• Add baking soda inside, then pour vinegar mixed with food coloring for fizzing fun.

Tip: Do this one outside on a tray to contain the mess.

Shop the Look: Kitchen Essentials — Baking Soda & Vinegar Kit →

Picture This: Little pumpkins overflowing with colorful fizz as kids cheer.

8) Leaf Suncatchers

• Place leaves between two sheets of wax paper.

• Iron gently to seal.

• Cut into shapes (hearts, circles) and hang in windows.

Time saver: Trace cookie cutters for easy shapes.

Shop the Look: Kitchen Essentials — Parchment & Wax Paper →

Picture This: A sunny window filled with glowing pressed-leaf suncatchers.

9) Pumpkin Seed Art

• Roast pumpkin seeds and let kids paint them.

• Glue into shapes (hearts, flowers, fall trees).

Money saver: Save seeds from carving pumpkins instead of tossing them.

Shop the Look: Fall Decor — Craft Paint Sets →

Picture This: A framed art piece covered in colorful, glittery pumpkin seed patterns.

10) Pinecone Wreaths

• Hot glue pinecones to a wire or foam wreath form.

• Add ribbons, acorns, or faux berries.

Tip: Spray paint pinecones gold or white for a polished look.

Shop the Look: Rattan & Rustic Accents — Wreath Forms →

Picture This: A front door dressed in a full, rustic pinecone wreath tied with a plaid bow.

11) Leaf Animals

• Use pressed leaves as animal bodies.

• Glue onto paper and add markers for faces and legs.

Time saver: Prep a set of pressed leaves ahead of time for quick crafting.

Shop the Look: Fall Decor — Craft Supply Kits →

Picture This: A page of silly leaf animals — elephants with maple leaf ears and hedgehogs made from oak leaves.

12) Mini Pumpkin Planters

• Hollow out small pumpkins.

• Insert small succulents or faux plants.

Tip: Line with foil to make them last longer indoors.

Shop the Look: Greenery & Stems for Decorating →

Picture This: A row of mini pumpkins with tiny succulents, lined up on a window ledge.

13) Leaf Confetti Jars

• Use a hole punch to cut tiny shapes from colorful leaves.

• Collect them in jars to use as homemade confetti.

Money saver: Use recycled glass jars instead of buying new ones.

Shop the Look: Farmhouse Decor — Mason Jars →

Picture This: A glass jar filled with tiny red, orange, and yellow leaf confetti sparkling in the sun.

Summary

This blog shared 12+ fun fall crafts for kids using leaves, pinecones, and pumpkins. From simple projects like leaf rubbing art and pumpkin stamping to exciting experiments like pumpkin volcanoes, these ideas are easy, affordable, and full of seasonal charm. With just a few supplies and some natural finds, you can create crafts that double as keepsakes, decorations, or gifts — all while making cozy autumn memories with your kids.