Fall Crafts for Preschoolers

From LoveToKnow Crafts

Exciting fall crafts for preschoolers are a great way to celebrate the change of seasons with your child. Working on a project together will help encourage creativity, and you can even make fun fall gifts for teachers and grandparents.

Easy Fall Crafts for Preschoolers

Preschoolers are fascinated by the world around them. They want to experience everything, which means they are extremely enthusiastic crafting partners. Kids this age are just beginning to extend their attention span, so it's a good idea to have all the supplies ready before you begin your fall craft project.

The following ideas are perfect for preschoolers because they have the right balance of hands-on fun and learning opportunities. When working with kids this age, it's important to keep safety in mind. Don't forget to keep an eye on them as they use scissors or perform other big-kid tasks.

Fun Fall Soap

If you've ever made glycerin soap, you know it's a fun, easy way to create wonderful gifts. Making soap with kids requires careful adult supervision, but children love the many colors, scents, and designs they can make. Who knows? A fancy bar of soap might even make it easier to get them to wash up for dinner!

Things You'll Need

Before you get started, gather the following supplies. Everything you need should be available at your local craft store.

Melt and pour soap block
Soap molds, especially leaf shapes
Soap scents and dyes
Measuring cup that is microwave-safe
Microwave oven
Spoon and serrated knife

What to Do

Use the serrated knife (adults only) to cut off a few squares of the soap block and put them in the measuring cup. Microwave according to the package instructions, and test carefully to make sure the soap isn't too hot for kids.
Have kids help you choose a scent and a color for each bar of soap. Mix a few drops of each into the liquid soap until you reach the desired fragrance level and color saturation. Help kids use a spoon to stir the liquid soap.
Pour the liquid soap into the soap mold and wait for the soap to harden. This typically takes about 45 minutes. When the soap is solid, let kids remove it from the mold by pushing gently on the back.

Walk in the Woods and Leaf Display

Making a leaf display is a great fall craft for preschoolers because it includes activity. As you're probably well aware, kids this age have a little extra energy to burn. Taking them for a nature walk can help them concentrate when they sit down to make their leaf display.

Things You'll Need

Paper bag to collect leaves
Large piece of poster board in a fall color
Non-toxic craft glue
Markers, crayons, and glitter

What to Do

Take the kids for a walk at the local nature area. Everyone can pick up pretty leaves and put them in the bag. Talk about the colors you see and the sound the leaves make as you walk through them.
When you get home, spread out all the leaves on the floor. Choose the prettiest ones, and carefully glue them to the poster board. You'll probably need to wait for a few minutes until the glue is completely dry.
Next, decorate the poster board with the markers, crayons, and glitter. You'll have a fall masterpiece in no time at all!

Friendly Scarecrow

Scarecrows are a symbol of fall for many people and they can be a fun craft to make with young children. Kids this age love to get dressed and undressed, and they'll be excited to pick out the clothes for your new garden scarecrow.

Things You'll Need

Two long wooden stakes
Packaging tape
Old towels or other rags
Plain brown paper bag
Old clothes and a hat

What to Do

Drive one of the stakes into the ground. Using the packing tape, affix the other stake to form a cross shape.
Have the kids stuff old rags into the brown paper bag. Use tape to close the bag and form a head shape. The kids can draw a face on the bag. Then attach the bag to the top of the vertical stake to form a head.
Use old towels or rags to pad the arms and body of the scarecrow. You can use the packing tape to keep the padding in place.
Finally, the kids can help dress the scarecrow. You'll end up with a welcoming fall decoration in your yard!

Questions Are Good

Kids this age ask lots of questions. It's part of how they learn about their world, and crafting together is a perfect opportunity to chat. As they ask you about different aspects of the project, be sure to give them detailed answers. It never hurts to ask a few questions of your own too if you think your child might know the answer. Preschoolers love to feel successful at things!

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