Tag Archives: fall crafts

Autumn Crafts for Kids: Fun with Leaves

Fall’s cooler temperatures have been delayed a bit here in the Upper Midwest. I, for one, couldn’t be happier, but I know many people are anxious for crisper days and the sight of trees exploding with vibrant yellows, oranges and reds (that is until they have to carve time out of their busy schedules to rake those gorgeous leaves off their driveway). Regardless of when fall finally rears its head in your neck of the woods there is nothing like soaking up the season with family members and friends. Use the time to go on a nature hike and make … Continue reading →

Kid-Friendly Thanksgiving Art Projects

Help your kids get in on the holiday preparation by allowing them to make these Thanksgiving decorations. Not only will these art projects keep your kids busy while you complete the Turkey Day meal, but also these crafts will yield amazing decorations that can be used to brighten up your holiday table. CORN PLACEMATS Materials: Ears of corn Knife Plastic corncob holders Paper plates Fabric paints Cloth placemats Directions: Break each ear of corn into 3-inch pieces (adults can use knife if necessary), then attach corncob holders firmly to the ends of each piece. Roll the corn pieces in a … Continue reading →

More Easy Thanksgiving Pumpkin Crafts

Pumpkins are traditionally used as Halloween decorations, but when placed strategically they can really liven up a Thanksgiving display as well. Fresh pumpkins can still be purchased at most grocery stores and some local farms, though they are not as readily accessible as they were in September and October. If you can get your hands on fresh pumpkins (for the right price), consider crafting the following Thanksgiving-themed decorations: PUMPKIN TURKEYS This project is kid-friendly and serves as a great craft to complete while your Thanksgiving turkey is cooking. Materials: Small Pumpkins Ice Pick Lollipops Colored Construction Paper Markers Directions: Poke … Continue reading →

Thoughtful Thanksgiving Centerpiece

Prior to digging into the Thanksgiving turkey, stuffing and other delicious fixings, most families pause for a moment to reflect on all the things they are grateful for. To help facilitate this tradition this year consider making the following holiday craft project: THANKSGIVING BOUQUET This simple yet colorful project doubles as an attractive Thanksgiving centerpiece and a valuable activity for the entire family. The Thanksgiving Bouquet is crafted from paper leaves and sticks. It can be made a few days in advance or a few hours before your Thanksgiving dinner. Prior to eating have each guest choose a “thankful leaf” … Continue reading →

Thanksgiving Pumpkin Crafts for Kids

Just because Halloween is over doesn’t mean you should rid your home of pumpkins. Thanksgiving is an ideal time to showcase the fresh orange globes in a seasonal display. Unfortunately, most stores stop selling pumpkins the day after Halloween. This sad fact means most parents have to get creative when it comes to setting up a Thanksgiving pumpkin display. The following simple salt dough pumpkin art project was a bonafide hit with our preschool playgroup last year. All you’re doing is whipping up a batch of salt dough and shaping it into miniature pumpkins. Once the pumpkins are formed the … Continue reading →

Fall Art Projects Featuring Squash

The price of squash is so incredibly low right now; stores are practically giving them away. I wonder if store managers know that the unusually shaped gourds have uses beyond Halloween? Squashes, gourds and pumpkins are ideal for Thanksgiving decorating. Don’t believe me? Take a look at the following art projects (tailored for older children and adults) that will help transform your dull dining room table into a seasonal masterpiece. Note: Adult supervision is recommended for the following crafts. SQUASH GEESE Your kids will have a blast carving ordinary squash into cute geese. Once the project is complete use the … Continue reading →

Fall Fun for Kids: Acorn Art Projects

If it weren’t for Disney’s Chip and Dale I doubt my preschooler would know that chipmunks actually like acorns. As far as she is concerned, the tiny rodent-like creatures only have eyes for the stale bread she throws at them whenever we are at the park. As for the acorns that are strewn all over the grassy areas leading up to the playground, they go straight into my daughter’s pockets and come home with us. When we get home we put her acorn collection to good use by making the following projects: ACORN WREATH Materials: Acorns Wreath Form Hot glue … Continue reading →

More Fun Pumpkin Seed Projects for Kids

We bought our big pumpkins weeks ago, but have put off carving them until today because the weather has been so fickle (one day we’re in the 70s, the next day the 40s). We now have three incredibly cute (not spooky) jack-o’-lanterns on our stoop and more seeds than I care to deal with. I plan to roast a bunch for snacks and use the rest for craft projects. Our favorites include the pumpkin seed mosaic I shared in a previous blog and the other kid-friendly ones I have listed below. Note: If you have never used pumpkin seeds in … Continue reading →

Messy But Fun Fall Projects for Kids

I gave up on keeping messes to a minimum years ago. I am a mother of a young child who absolutely adores arts and crafts and there is no way I’m about to limit her creativity when her masterpieces bring her so much pleasure (and provide me with ample time to get the dishes, laundry and vacuuming done). Whether it’s paint, Play-Doh, markers, crayons or the dreaded Moon Sand I’m game as long as she is happy. (After all, when the cleaning process provides fodder for blogs how can I complain?) So the other day when my Martha Stewart clone … Continue reading →

Kid’s Crafts Week in Review: Sep. 25-30

If you missed anything, here are this week’s projects at a glance: Fall Crafts: Hand Print Projects You have probably seen hand print turkeys and hand print Christmas trees, which we can go over further as we get closer to these holidays. You may have even seen plaster casts of children’s hand prints. What other image can you make from a hand print? How about an autumn leaf or a whole bunch of them? Craft Ideas: Make a 3-D Cookie Jar This idea works great for an everyday cookie jar or special ones for holidays. You can make them for … Continue reading →