Fall Nature Crafts for Kids, Teens, and Adults

Turn leaves, acorns, pinecones, and other autumn treasures into art, gifts, and decorations at home, in the classroom, or outdoors in nature.

Gather colorful leaves, acorns, pinecones, and other outdoor treasures for these fall nature crafts for kids, teens, and adults. Autumn brings an abundance of free natural craft supplies scattered on the ground, just waiting to be transformed into something creative.

From autumn leaf art and woodland animals to handmade jewelry and decorations, you’ll find projects for home or the classroom. Browse by material or craft below, then follow the linked tutorials to turn your nature finds into something of your own. Explore these Fall Art Projects for more creative ideas. Happy fall crafting!

Find Your Next Fall Nature Craft

What treasures have you found outside? Choose a material to find projects you can make with it, or explore fall wreaths and animal crafts.

• Acorn Crafts
• Apple Crafts
• Helicopter Seed Crafts
• Autumn Leaf Art
• Fall Leaf Crafts
• Fall Leaf Decorations
• Mud Pies and Nature Art
• Pine Cone Crafts
• Pumpkin Carving and No-Carve Decorating
• Rock Painting and Stone Crafts
• Walnut Shell Crafts
• Fall Wreaths
• Fall Animal Crafts
  • Owl Crafts
  • Squirrel Crafts
  • Turkey Crafts

Still planning your nature walk? Visit Gathering Natural Materials for Fall Crafts for ideas on what to look for and how to collect thoughtfully.

Fun Fall Nature Crafts for Kids from Toddlers to Teens:

Explore autumn nature crafts using materials from your backyard, neighborhood, or nature walks. Browse the categories below for acorn crafts, apple crafts, helicopter seed crafts, autumn leaf art, pinecone crafts, and more, followed by fall animal crafts.

Some projects appear in more than one category, so you can find them by material or animal. Follow the linked craft tutorials for supplies and step-by-step instructions.

Acorn Crafts

Acorns and acorn caps are versatile materials for fall crafts, from woodland figures and fairy hats to handmade jewelry and ornaments. They can be especially plentiful during a mast year, when oak trees produce an unusually large crop of acorns. Gather fallen treasures beneath oak trees, take only what you’ll use, and leave plenty for wildlife. Follow the preparation tips below, then choose a project from the craft list.

Safety Note: Acorns and loose caps are choking hazards. Keep them away from children under three and anyone who mouths objects.

Preparing Acorns and Acorn Caps for Fall Crafts

1. Sort your finds. Choose intact acorns and caps. Discard any with visible mold, rot, or insect damage. If your project uses only caps, carefully twist and pull them away from the nuts with your fingers, avoiding pressure that could crack them.
2. Wash and rinse. Gently scrub with warm, soapy water and a small brush to remove dirt. Rinse thoroughly, pat dry, and spread on a towel until the surface moisture has dried.
3. Dry whole acorns in the oven. Have an adult spread them in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Dry at 200°F (about 93°C), checking and turning them every 20–30 minutes. Allow roughly 1½–2 hours, depending on their size and moisture. Stop sooner if they begin to scorch, and never leave the oven unattended. Bake only undecorated materials before adding glue, paint, or sealant.
4. Dry empty caps separately. Air-dry them completely in a ventilated place, or oven-dry them as described above. Check frequently and remove them as soon as they are dry; empty caps may need much less time than whole acorns.
5. Cool and inspect. Let oven-dried materials cool completely before crafting. Discard damaged pieces and store only fully dried materials in a dry place. Check for mold before reuse.
6. Cleaning and oven-drying prepare acorns for crafts but do not guarantee disinfection.

Bake only undecorated natural materials before adding glue, paint, or sealant.

Fun Acorn Figures and Animal Crafts

• Stick and Acorn Men: Find inspiration for acorn and stick figurines from DavidMBird on Instagram.
• Acorn Squirrel Craft: Create a squirrel picture using acorns with instructions on Little Stuff.
• Squirrel Acorn Craft: Make squirrel figurines with acorns and pipe cleaners using the tutorial on Toys in the Dryer.
• DIY Acorn Dolls: Dress peg dolls in acorn-cap hats, as shown in the photo below, with the tutorial on Rhythms of Play.

Acorn Decorations and Gifts

• Felted Pom Pom Acorns: Combine felted pom poms and acorn caps following the instructions on Adventure in a Box.
• Acorn Frame: Decorate a picture frame with acorns using the tutorial from Crafts by Amanda.
• Acorn Wreath for Kids: Make a simple wreath with acorns, a cardboard circle, and glue following Craftulate.
• Fall Wreath with Acorns: Decorate a 12-inch grapevine wreath with acorns using instructions on Tried & True.
• Acorn Garland: Try a painted acorn-and-pinecone garland from Mud & Bloom, or a natural acorn garland from Wisconsin Magpie.
• How to Paint Acorns for Fall: Add color to acorns for home decor with tips from Mod Podge Rocks.
• Floating Acorn Candles: Make tiny floating candles with the tutorial on The Gunny Sack. This project is for adults.

DIY Acorn Jewelry and Ornaments

• Rustic Acorn Marble Ornaments: Turn acorn caps and marbles into handmade ornaments with instructions on Rhythms of Play.
• Acorn Marble Necklaces: Make an acorn-cap and marble necklace to wear or give as a gift with the tutorial on Rhythms of Play. The photograph below shows acorn necklaces my daughter and I made.

Apple Crafts Made with Nature

Celebrate back-to-school and the autumn harvest with apple crafts made from natural materials. The ideas below include projects using real apples, plus pinecones and oak galls transformed into apple-shaped decorations.

For projects using fresh apples, plan to enjoy them while they last and discard them if they develop mold or begin to decay. For another creative apple-themed project, try this Apple Button Tree Craft for Kids.

Nature Crafts Made with Real Apples

• Apple Hedgehog Crafts: Turn apples into hedgehogs or porcupines with toothpicks or small twigs, following the tutorial on Rhythms of Play.
• Dehydrated Apple Art: Make a wall hanging with dried apple slices using instructions on Brainy Beginnings.
• Leaf, Nut, and Apple Wind Catcher Mobile: Combine apples and other natural materials in a hanging mobile with the project on Fun Family Crafts.
• Clove Apple Pomander: Make a fragrant, clove-studded apple with instructions on Crafting a Green World.

Apple-Shaped Crafts Made with Natural Materials

• Pinecone Apples: Paint rounded pinecones to resemble apples with the tutorial on Fireflies & Mudpies.
• Oak Apple Nature Craft: Turn oak galls into miniature painted apples with instructions on Rhythms of Play. My daughter shows off her apple craft in the photograph below.

Helicopter Seed Crafts:

Helicopter seeds spin and swirl as they fall, earning their playful name. These winged fruits, called samaras, grow on maple and ash trees, including the sycamore maple. Their delicate wings make lovely materials for nature art and fall crafts.

Gather a few fallen seeds with intact wings, leaving plenty behind, and let any damp finds dry before crafting.

Autumn Nature Crafts Made with Helicopter Seeds

• Helicopter Seed Wall Hanging: Create a nature-inspired wall decoration with the tutorial from Blue Bear Wood.
• Maple Seed Flowers: Arrange helicopter seeds into flowers, then paint them with instructions from Discovering with Diane.
• Sycamore Seed Faces: Turn helicopter seeds into mustaches for playful face collages with the idea from The Gingerbread House.
• Helicopter Seed Dragonflies: Combine seeds, twigs, and paint using the tutorial and printable instructions from Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust. See the photograph below for dragonfly inspiration from Filth Wizardry; the tutorial is no longer available online.

Autumn Leaf Art Ideas for Kids, Teens, and Adults

Explore the colors, shapes, and textures of fall leaves through printing, watercolor, collage, and nature designs. These autumn leaf art ideas offer creative ways to experiment with materials gathered on a nature walk.

Preparing your leaves: Some projects use fresh leaves, while others work better with pressed leaves. Follow the individual tutorials, or learn how to collect, press, and preserve fall leaves before getting started.

Leaf Printing and Mixed-Media Art

• Watercolor and Fall Leaf Art: Combine watercolors and autumn leaves in mixed-media artwork with the tutorial on Rhythms of Play.
• Leaf Rubbings: Capture leaf shapes and veins with crayons and paper. Explore this technique and more in our fall art projects.
• Leaf Prints: Make colorful leaf impressions with instructions from Edventures with Kids.
• Embossed Fall Leaves: Explore leaf textures with the embossing activity from Mother Natured.
• Fall Leaf Collage: Combine autumn leaves and other natural materials in a process-art collage using the activity from Happy Hooligans.

Leaf Pictures and Nature Designs

• Autumn Leaf Mandala: Arrange fall leaves and other seasonal treasures into a nature mandala, following instructions from Rhythms of Play.
• Fall Leaf Fish Art: Turn real leaves into an underwater scene with the tutorial on Rhythms of Play.
• Autumn Tree Craft with Fall Leaves: Use collected leaves to create a fall tree with instructions from Crafts on Sea. Alternatively, try the fall tree collage tutorial from Rhythms of Play with a printable template, substituting freshly fallen leaves for the paper leaves.
• Nature Portraits: Arrange leaves and other natural materials into expressive faces with the activity from Adventure in a Box.
• Fall Leaf Baby Craft: Create leaf babies and animal figures on a watercolor background with the tutorial on Rhythms of Play. See the photograph below.

Fall Leaf Crafts

Turn autumn leaves into crowns, masks, woodland characters, and sewing projects. These fall leaf crafts invite children to imagine, decorate, and explore what they can make with their outdoor finds.

Leaf Costumes and Pretend Play

• Superhero and Animal Fall Leaf Masks: Find inspiration for leaf masks in this Instagram post from BabyCCino.
• Fall Leaf Finger Puppets: Transform leaves into playful characters with the tutorial from Crafts by Amanda.
• Woven Fall Leaf Crown: Join freshly fallen leaves using their stems to make a crown without wire or tape, following Lori Frederick’s tutorial on Click Community.
• Fall Leaf Crowns and Tiaras: Make leafy headwear fit for a king or a queen using the instructions and free craft template from Rhythms of Play, as shown in the photo below.

Leaf Figures and Creative Activities

• Stick Leaf Fairies: Combine sticks and autumn leaves to make woodland fairies with instructions from Mother Natured.
• Invitation to Create Fall Leaves Art: Set out paint, leaves, and googly eyes for an open-ended creative activity inspired by Rhythms of Play.
• Painted Leaf Monsters: Give leaves colorful personalities with the craft from Messy Little Monster.
• Fall Leaf Sewing with DIY Lacing Cards: Punch holes in leaves to make beginning-sewing cards with instructions from Rhythms of Play. See the photograph below.

Fall Leaf Decorations: Autumn DIY Decor

Bring autumn’s colors indoors with handmade leaf garlands, wreaths, lanterns, and a thankful tree. These fall leaf decorations creatively use seasonal treasures gathered on nature walks.

• DIY Fall Leaf Garland: String together colorful autumn leaves with instructions from Swoodson Says.
• Autumn Leaf Wreath: Make a simple leaf wreath with children using the tutorial from Crafts for All Seasons.
• Thankful Tree with Preserved Fall Gratitude Leaves: Create a seasonal centerpiece with preserved leaves and messages of gratitude, following Rhythms of Play.
• Heart Leaf Lanterns: Turn heart-shaped leaf cutouts into decorative lanterns with the tutorial on Rhythms of Play.
• Leaf Lantern Craft: Make glowing autumn luminaries with instructions on Rhythms of Play. See the photograph below.

Mud Pies and Nature Art

Autumn rain sets the stage for mud pies and imaginative outdoor play. Mix mud with fallen leaves, twigs, and other seasonal treasures to create pretend treats and nature art.

Explore our mud pie nature art and sensory activity for ideas to get started. In the photograph below, my daughter is busy decorating her own mud pie creations with natural materials on our DIY Mud Kitchen and Outdoor Art Table.

Pine Cone Crafts

Turn fallen pinecones into woodland animals, fairies, flowers, and handmade decorations. Their varied shapes and textured scales make them versatile materials for fall and winter nature crafts.

Preparing Pinecones for Crafts

Brush away loose dirt and debris, discarding pinecones with visible mold or decay. If needed, wash with warm, soapy water, rinse, and let the surface moisture dry.

Pinecones often close when wet and reopen as they dry. Spread them in a ventilated place to dry completely, or have an adult oven-dry them at 200°F (about 93°C) on a foil-lined, rimmed baking sheet. Arrange them in a single layer and check every 20–30 minutes, allowing additional time as needed rather than relying on a fixed baking time.

Keep the oven attended and stop heating if the pinecones begin to scorch or smoke. Let them cool completely before crafting. Oven-dry only undecorated pinecones before adding glue, paint, or other embellishments.

Pinecone Fairies and Animal Crafts

• Autumn Pinecone Fairies: Make woodland fairies with the felt-wing tutorial from Red Ted Art, or try the alternative design from Kids Activities Blog.
• Pinecone Spiders Halloween Craft for Kids: Add pipe cleaner legs to pinecone bodies with instructions from Fireflies & Mudpies.
• Pinecone Owls: Create colorful woodland owls with the tutorial from Crafts by Amanda.
• Cute Pinecone Pets: Turn pinecones into cats, lions, mice, and bunnies with ideas from Blue Bear Wood.
• Pine Cone Bats: Make pinecone bats with instructions from Fireflies & Mudpies.
• Easy Pinecone Turkeys: Combine pinecones and leaves to make turkeys with the tutorial from Easy Peasy and Fun.

Pinecone Trees and Flowers

• Pinecone Fall Tree: Paint a pinecone in autumn colors to resemble a fall tree with instructions from The Pinterested Parent.
• Pinecone Roses: Create pinecone flowers with the tutorial from Creative Green Living.
• Pinecone Rose Bud Crafts: Make pinecone crafts that look like rose buds on cards or cardstock, as shown in the photo below, using the instructions from Rhythms of Play.

Pinecone Decorations

• Pinecone Wreath Craft: Make a natural wreath with step-by-step instructions from A Piece of Rainbow.
• Rhinestone Pinecone Nature Craft: Decorate pinecone scales with rhinestones for a little rustic sparkle, following Rhythms of Play. You can see one my daughter made in the photo below.

Pumpkin Carving and No-Carve Pumpkin Decorating Ideas

Turn pumpkins into Halloween decorations, colorful fall art, or a miniature fairy house. Explore pumpkin carving ideas and no-carve projects for kids, teens, and adults, choosing a technique that suits your materials and the help available.

Pumpkin Carving Tips and Projects

• Free Pumpkin Carving Stencils: Explore Lisa Berberette’s original patterns and follow the step-by-step carving instructions on Pumpkin Lady to create your own jack-o’-lantern.
• Pumpkin Carving Tip: Try this simple technique from Happy Hooligans. It works so well that I use this tip every time I carve a pumpkin, and I hand-carve pumpkins every year for Halloween.
• Pumpkin Fairy House for Small World Play: Carve a miniature autumn home with the tutorial from Adventure in a Box. See a photograph of this project below.

No-Carve Pumpkin Decorating Ideas

• Melted Crayon Pumpkin Craft: Decorate a pumpkin with colorful melted crayons using the tutorial from Color Made Happy.
• Googly-Eyed Pumpkin: Give a pumpkin a playful personality with the idea from She Wears Many Hats.
• Spider Web Pumpkin: Combine string and toy spiders to make a Halloween decoration, following instructions from Woman’s Day.
• Squeeze Paint Pumpkin Art: Add flowing colors with the no-carve painting activity from Hello, Wonderful!.
• Photo Pumpkin: Decoupage photos onto a pumpkin to create a personalized decoration, using the tutorial from Sugar and Charm.
• Chalkboard Pumpkins: Make a pumpkin surface you can draw or write on with instructions from Sunny Day Family.

Fall Rock Painting and Stone Craft Ideas

Rocks, stones, and pebbles offer year-round crafting possibilities. Give your projects an autumn feel with warm colors, woodland animals, and fall tree designs. Use stones you already have, purchase craft rocks, or collect a few loose stones where permitted.

Avoid taking rocks from national parks, protected natural areas, beaches, riverbeds, streams, and other sensitive habitats, where removing them can damage ecosystems, disturb wildlife, contribute to erosion, and take away shelter or nesting materials. Check local rules before collecting, and leave rocks in streams and other protected or sensitive places undisturbed. Wash your materials with soapy water, rinse, and let them dry completely before painting or gluing.

• Rock Balancing and Stone Stacking Art: Learn about balance and sculpture through this guide on Rhythms of Play, and consider practicing with stones in a controlled setting rather than stacking rocks outdoors, where it can disturb habitats and create hazards.
• Stone Owl Craft: Turn smooth stones and shells into woodland owls with instructions on Rhythms of Play.
• How to Paint Rocks and Rock Painting Ideas: Find painting tips and inspiration for creative rock designs year-round on Rhythms of Play.
• Autumn Tree with a Girl on a Swing Pebble Art: Arrange pebbles and twigs into a tree-and-swing scene with the tutorial from Feeling Nifty. See the photograph below.

Fall Nature Crafts Made with Walnuts

Turn walnuts and walnut shells into tiny animals, boats, and handmade ornaments. For projects using shell halves, start with our guide to cracking walnuts for crafts, then remove any remaining nut pieces and choose clean, dry shells without sharp or broken edges.

Walnut Animal Crafts and Miniature Boats

• Racing Walnut Mice: Make little mice that race with the tutorial from Red Ted Art.
• Walnut Shell Turtles: Turn shell halves into turtles with instructions from No Time for Flashcards.
• Walnut Shell Ladybugs: Paint shell halves into spotted ladybugs with the step-by-step tutorial from Easy Crafts for Kids.
• Easy Walnut Shell Animals: Find inspiration for a few more painted insects and animals in these designs shared by BabyCCino on Pinterest.
• Walnut Shell Boats: Make miniature sailing boats with instructions from Tinybeans. The tutorial includes a playdough alternative to wax for holding the mast.

Walnut Shell Christmas Ornaments

• Baby Jesus Walnut Ornament: Create a tiny manger ornament with the tutorial on Rhythms of Play. See the photograph below. For another version, try the walnut shell manger included in our wooden peg doll nativity scene tutorial.

Fall Wreaths Made with Natural Materials

Bring autumn’s colors and textures together in a handmade wreath using leaves, acorns, pinecones, and other seasonal treasures. Choose a simple leaf wreath to make with children or a more detailed design for your fall decor.

Prepare natural materials before attaching them, following the linked tutorial’s guidance. Display your finished wreath indoors or in a sheltered spot unless its materials are suitable for outdoor use.

• Fall Wreath with Acorns: Decorate a grapevine wreath with acorns using the tutorial from Tried & True.
• Easy Fall Wreath with Autumn Leaves: Turn collected leaves into a seasonal wreath with easy instructions from What We Do All Day.
• Autumn Leaf Wreath: Make a leafy decoration with the tutorial from Crafts for All Seasons.
• Fall Wreath for Kids: Create a colorful fall wreath with the activity from Mommy’s Bundle.
• Pinecone Wreath Craft: Arrange pinecones into a textured wreath with step-by-step instructions from A Piece of Rainbow.
• Mixed-Material Autumn Wreath: For a simple version inspired by the photograph below, cut a wreath-shaped ring from sturdy cardboard. Arrange dry leaves, acorns and caps, cinnamon sticks, and fabric scraps on the base, then attach them with an adhesive suited to the materials, such as craft glue. Let the glue dry fully before hanging.

Related: Shell Daisy Nature Craft

Fantastic Autumn Animals: Cute Fall Animal Crafts Made with Natural Materials

Create owls, squirrels, and turkeys with natural materials and basic supplies such as glue and googly eyes. Browse the fall animal crafts below to find a woodland project or a handmade Thanksgiving decoration.

Autumn Owl Craft Ideas

Turn bark, pinecones, walnuts, and stones into woodland owls. These fall owl crafts offer several ways to explore natural shapes and textures.

• Bark Owl Craft: Combine bark, acorn caps, and a pumpkin seed with instructions from Fireflies & Mudpies.
• Pine Cone Owls: Make owls with pinecones, acorn caps, and helicopter seeds using the tutorial from Fireflies & Mudpies.
• Feathered Pinecone Owls: Add colorful, legally sourced craft feathers to pinecones with the project from Meaningful Mama.
• Walnut Owls: Create little owls with walnuts, felt, and googly eyes using instructions from Red Ted Art.
• Stone and Shell Owl Craft: Turn smooth stones and shells into owls with the tutorial on Rhythms of Play. The photograph below shows the family of owls my daughter and I made together.

Squirrel Nature Crafts

Autumn squirrels provide inspiration as they gather and store food. Use acorns to make a squirrel picture or a small woodland figure with these two projects.

• Acorn Squirrel Picture: Arrange acorns into a squirrel design with instructions from Little Stuff.
• Acorn Squirrel Figurines: Combine acorns and pipe cleaners to make little squirrels with the tutorial from Toys in the Dryer.

Fall Turkey Nature Crafts

Make turkeys with pinecones, pumpkins, and colorful leaves for autumn crafting or handmade Thanksgiving decorations.

• Pinecone Turkeys: Add legally sourced craft feathers to pinecones with instructions from A Pumpkin and a Princess.
• Pumpkin Turkeys: Give pumpkins leafy turkey tails with the project from The Chaos and the Clutter.
• Leaf Turkey Craft Ideas: Explore several creative ways to turn autumn leaves into turkeys with the collection on Rhythms of Play.
• Turkey Leaf Lanterns: Create glowing Thanksgiving decorations with the tutorial on Rhythms of Play. The photograph below shares one of my turkey lantern creations.

Gathering Natural Materials for Fall Crafts

A nature walk can provide both inspiration and supplies for your next fall craft. Gather seasonal treasures thoughtfully by choosing fallen materials, taking only what you’ll use, and leaving plenty for wildlife. While you’re out collecting, enjoy these 10 Ways to Have Fun Outside with Fall Leaves.

What Natural Materials Can You Find in Autumn?

Look for colorful leaves, acorns, pine cones, walnuts, and dried seed pods. Fallen sticks, twigs, bark, and stones offer year-round possibilities, too.

Autumn leaves bring reds, oranges, and golden yellows to your projects, while nuts, seeds, and twigs add texture and shape.

How to Gather Seasonal Treasures Thoughtfully

Head out on a nature walk in your backyard or somewhere collecting is permitted. Help children practice caring for the Earth by leaving living plants, nests, and wildlife undisturbed. Photograph or sketch discoveries you leave behind.

Choose a project from the collection above and gather what you need, following its linked tutorial for preparation and supplies. You can also arrange your finds on a fall nature table for seasonal play and exploration.

Crafting with Nature Through the Seasons

Crafting with nature’s seasonal treasures encourages creativity and builds fine motor skills as we arrange, thread, and assemble materials. It also invites us to notice the changing colors, cooler temperatures, and shorter days that signal autumn.

Turning those discoveries into handmade creations is a simple way to connect with nature and bring meaning to the changing seasons as we follow the year’s rhythm.

Choose a fall nature craft above, then head outside for a nature hunt to gather what you need. Collecting and crafting together can become a family Thanksgiving tradition or a creative way to spend fall break.

For more inspiration, explore our nature crafts and art activities and outdoor learning and nature activities. Or plan your next adventure with these autumn activities and a printable fall bucket list.

Learn more about Rhythms of Play on our About page, or meet the author, Nell Regan Kartychok.

More Fall Art and Craft Ideas for Kids and Teens:

• Autumn Tree Collage for Kids
• How to Sew a Button Apple Tree
• Button Apple Tree Craft
• The Best Fall Art Projects for Kids and Teens

More Fun Fall Activities

• How to Make a Fall Nature Table
• Outdoor Learning Activities and Nature Activities for Kids
• Fall Scavenger Hunt Outdoor Activities
• 11 Ways to Celebrate the Fall Autumnal Equinox
• Nature Sensory Bottles