Simple Fall Crafts

There’s something about fall that makes crafting with kids extra special. The cooler afternoons, the earlier sunsets, and the coziness of home all invite us to slow down and get creative. If your kids are anything like mine, after school is the perfect time to unwind with a hands-on project that feels fun but not overwhelming.Here are a few of our favorite simple fall crafts, each with kid-safe supplies that make the process easy and stress-free.

Simple Fall Crafts Perfect for Afterschool

Pumpkin Paper Plate Friends

One of the easiest (and cutest) crafts for fall is turning paper plates into pumpkins. Just grab some washable kids’ paint and let the kids paint their plates orange. Once dry, they can use safety scissors to cut out green paper leaves. For faces, they can draw with washable markers or add a few fall stickers. Each one turns out unique—and they’re so fun to display on the fridge or hang in a window.

Leafy Collage Scene

For this craft, collect leaves outside, use these precut punch out leaf patterns, or use colorful sticker versions. Arrange them on paper to create a fall forest scene. Kids can glue down their leaves, add doodles with Crayola Super Tips markers, and decorate with fun fall sticker packs. For younger kids, you can pre-cut shapes to make things easier. This project is quick, festive, and works beautifully for all ages.

Mini Thankful Tree

This one is so meaningful. Start with a small branch in a vase or a paper tree trunk taped to the wall. Cut out leaf shapes from colorful cardstock and let kids write what they’re thankful for. They can use markers or non-toxic paint to decorate their leaves before attaching them to the tree. Over time, you’ll have a growing “thankful tree” that makes such a sweet fall display.

Sweater-Patterned Leaf Prints

There’s nothing more classic than leaf prints in the fall. Have your kids collect leaves, then paint them with  finger paints. Press them onto paper to capture the veins and textures, like a cozy sweater pattern. This one can get a little messy, but because the paint is washable, cleanup is quick—and the results are beautiful!

Fall Scene Coloring Cards

For days when you want something extra simple, draw or print out blank fall scenes: pumpkin patches, apple trees, or hayrides. Kids can bring them to life with Crayola Super Tips markers and decorate with fall stickers. These make sweet keepsakes or can be turned into cards for grandparents and teachers.

Clay Ghosts & Pumpkins

This is one of my kids’ favorites! Roll out Crayola air-dry clay and use a pumpkin and ghost cookie cutter set to make festive shapes. Once dry, kids can paint them with washable or, acrylic paints and add fun details with markers. They’re adorable on shelves or strung into a fall garland.

Why We Love These Crafts

Each of these simple fall crafts for after school takes under an hour, uses supplies you can keep on hand, and doubles as a memory-making moment. They’re screen-free, kid-friendly, and flexible enough for toddlers through teens. And the best part? With kid-safe scissors, washable paints, non-toxic supplies, and easy stickers, you don’t have to stress about mess or safety.

So next time your kids come home buzzing from the school day, set out some paints, stickers, or clay, and let the creativity flow. These little projects are a simple way to slow down, connect, and soak in the magic of fall—one craft at a time.