Are you looking for easy autumn crafts to do with your kids? For this week’s Craft with a Book Friday (a book activity we do every Friday), we paired the story “All about autumn” by Wander Will, with two simple, hands-on autumn crafts: colourful leaf streamers and a paper apple collage. Both were easy, low-prep, and my kids really enjoyed doing them.
What We Learned from All About Autumn
Although we had crafted before we read the book, we still took some time to really enjoy the book when we finally got to read it. While we read, we talked about the following together:
- We talked about how leaves change colour, fall from trees, and how animals, like the squirrel, get ready for the cold season.
- We also discovered autumn traditions like pumpkin patches and apple picking.
What made the book equally interesting was the colourful illustrations and simple sentences that made it easy for my 3 & and 5-year-olds to follow along. I loved it very much because it was such a good reminder that pairing a story with crafts doesn’t just keep little hands busy, but it also connects the book to real experiences they can see, touch, and create. So, we decided to pair the book with these two crafts, chosen by my kids.
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Autumn Leaf Streamers Craft
This autumn leaf craft was such a hit with my kids because they had a dance party with it afterwards; it’s like a little puppet or streamer, so it was quite attractive to them.
Here are the supplies you’ll need:
- Coloured paper (in autumn shades: red, orange, yellow, brown)
- Crepe paper or tissue paper
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- Googly eyes
- Marker
- Paper straws
How we made it:
- Draw different leaf shapes on your coloured paper and cut them out.
- Tear strips of crepe paper in autumn colours (my kids loved this part, because of the shredding sound, plus it’s sensory and fun).
- Glue the crepe paper strips to the back of each leaf cutout, then turn it back over. Add your googly eyes and draw a little mouth on the front.
- Optionally, attach a paper straw to the back so your child can hold and wave it like a leaf streamer (this is the fun part).
Here’s why we love it
First of all, this leaf craft is very simple for preschoolers to do, and it doubles as a toy, too. After we made them, my kids spent ages running around the house, pretending their leaves were dancing in the wind. It was really nice to see.
Apple Collage Craft
Our second project was a simple but sweet apple craft. It’s a collage, and I love making collages. Collages are perfect for toddlers and preschoolers because they practice tearing, pasting, and building fine motor skills.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- White paper (for the base)
- Red paper
- Green paper
- brown paper (toilet paper roll)
- Googly eyes
- Marker
How to Make It:
- Draw a big apple outline on your white paper, then tear red paper into small pieces and glue them inside the apple outline. Tear green paper into tiny pieces and glue them inside the leaf shape.
- Cut a toilet paper roll into tiny pieces and glue them inside the stem.
- Finally, finish with googly eyes and a smiley face for a fun look.
Here’s why we love it:
My kids loved tearing the red paper and seeing the apple shape fill in, plus it’s a great way to introduce them to autumn fruit while practising colours and shapes.
Why crafting with books works so well
Pairing books with crafts turns our storytime into a fun, interactive moment with my kids. And, while reading All About Autumn, we could see the colours, talk about leaves and apples, and then make them with our own hands. It helps my kids remember new vocabulary, connect ideas, and, most importantly, have fun.
And if you want even more autumn fun? I put some amazing crafts together in one Autumn e-book. Grab it on Etsy here!
Finally
These two autumn crafts for kids, the leaf streamer craft and the apple collage craft, are perfect if you want something simple, low-prep, and mess-friendly. You can pair them with All About Autumn for a fun seasonal activity your preschooler will remember.
