Six low cost autumn crafts for children

The autumn season has arrived! The temperature is cooling, the leaves are changing colour and Halloween is just around the corner. Whether you're decorating your spaces or making your own spooky costumes, arts and crafts are a large part of this festive celebration.

Inspired by the changes in nature and in the spirit of Halloween, we’ve got some low-cost autumn crafts you might like to try. The Crafts combine classroom and household items with organic and natural materials you can find outside.

1.Stick Frame

This craft allows you to express your artistic freedom by getting creative with the natural elements available to you.

What you’ll need:

-Sticks

-Rubber bands (753688)

-Clear tape (736791)

-Assorted leaves/ shrubs / flowers

Steps:

1.    Tie the ends of four sticks together with rubber bands to create the base of your frame.

2.    Stick clear tape across the frame so that the whole frame is covered.

3.    Stick leaves, shrubs, and flowers to the tape.

4.    Attach another rubber band to the top of the frame to allow you to hang it up.

2. Bubble Pumpkins

Repurpose cardboard rolls with a few other simple commonly used items to create this simple and fun Autumn craft.

What you’ll need:

-Orange Paint (713090)

-Wash Up Liquid (217158)

-Craft Rolls (427817)

-Black Pen (306225)

-White Card (137014)

Steps:

1.     Mix 1-2 tablespoons of washing up liquid into the paint.

2.     Squeeze the toilet roll tube into an oval shape and dip one end into the paint solution.

3.     Stamp the roll onto the card, pop the bubble it creates and leave it to dry.

4.     Once dry, draw on your pumpkin’s faces and its stem with a pen.

3. PVA Glue Sun Catchers

Create intricate suncatcher designs using tree leaves. But be sure to stay patient and let them dry!

What you’ll need:

-PVA Glue (749125)

-A leaf

-Black card (113328)

Steps:

1.     Apply a layer of glue to the front face of the leaf.

2.     Cut out circular or oval-shaped bits of black card and apply on top of the glue to create faces.

3.     Leave to dry.

4.     Carefully peel off the dried glue from the leaf and stick it onto a window.

4. Autumn Pumpkin Craft

Whether you use colourful leaves, shrubs, berries or sticks, there’s endless possibilities to make this autumn pumpkin craft unique.

What you’ll need:

-Orange Card (137707)

-Black Pen (306225)

-Double Sided Tape (736740)

-Scissors (313327)

-Assorted leaves/shrubs/flowers

Steps:

1.     Draw an outline of a pumpkin on a piece of orange card.

2.     Cut out the pumpkin from the card.

3.     Stick down strips of double sided onto on side of the pumpkin.

4.     Stick flowers, shrubs or leaves onto the tape.

5. Salt Leaf Craft

Create a vibrant Salt Leaf masterpiece, full of colour using just a handful of items.

What you’ll need:

-White Card (137014)

-PVA Glue (749125)

-Salt

-Watercolours (735906) (or food colouring with water)

-Paintbrush (740004)

Steps:

1.      Draw a leaf on the card using glue.

2.     Cover the glue with a layer of salt and shake off excess.

3.     With a paintbrush, dab your choice of watercolours onto your salt leaf.

6. Leaf Monsters

These leaf monsters are another simple but creative way to get into the spirit of the season. Let your imagination run wild and make them your own!

What You’ll Need:

-Leaves

-Googly/ Wiggle Eyes (303941)

-Colouring Pens (751278)

-Black Paint (713074)

Steps:

1.     Gather your leaves from outside.

2.     Use colouring pens or black paint to colour the leaves with the design of your choosing.

3.     Use googly eyes or colouring pens to create the facial features of the leaf monster.

These festive creations can be a great addition to your autumn term arts and crafts curriculum. Check out Christmas Arts & Crafts Supplies | YPO to browse the items for these crafts among our other products.

We’d also love to see how you and your students put your own creative spin on them. You can share them with us by tagging us on Instagram or Facebook with #YPOCreateandMake.