12 Easy Fall Nature Crafts for Kindergarteners Using Leaves and Twigs

1) Leaf rubbings

Why it works for kindergarteners: fast results, minimal frustration, and every leaf looks “right.”

You’ll need: paper, peeled crayons (or crayons on their side), a few flat leaves.

• Place a leaf under the paper, vein-side up if possible.
• Hold the paper still and rub crayon across the top.
• Try layering colors or rubbing multiple leaves on one page.

Kindergarten tip: tape the leaf to the table first so it does not scoot away mid-rub.

Time: 5 to 10 minutes. No drying time.

2) Leaf people

You’ll need: leaves, twigs, paper, glue, marker, optional googly eyes.

• Glue down one big leaf as the “body.”
• Add twigs for arms and legs.
• Use a marker to draw a face, or glue on googly eyes.

Extension: ask your child to name their leaf person and tell you what their “job” is. Kindergarten storytelling gold.

Time: 10 to 15 minutes. Light drying time.

3) Twig shapes and letters

You’ll need: small twigs, paper or cardboard, glue.

• Sort twigs by size.
• Create simple shapes first (triangle, square, rectangle).
• Try letters made of straight lines (A, E, F, H, K, L, T). If your child is feeling brave, add M and N, which are harder than they look.

Kindergarten tip: pre-snap or pre-cut a few twigs so kids can make corners without wrestling a branch. You can also draw the letter lightly in pencil first as a road map.

Time: 10 to 20 minutes. Moderate drying time.

4) Leaf collage forest

You’ll need: paper, glue, assorted leaves, optional crayons or paint for background.

• Color or paint a quick sky and ground (2 minutes, truly).
• Glue leaves as trees, bushes, and forest floor.
• Add twigs as tree trunks or fallen branches.

5) Leaf crowns

You’ll need: a strip of cardstock or a paper bag cut into a strip, tape or stapler, leaves, glue.

• Fit the strip around your child’s head and tape or staple into a band.
• Glue leaves along the band like a crown.
• Let it dry for a few minutes before wearing.

My sanity tip: use a thin line of glue. Too much glue turns the crown into a slippery leaf slide.

Time: 10 to 15 minutes plus a few minutes to set.

6) Pretend insect hideout picture

You’ll need: paper, glue, small twigs, tiny leaves, optional hole punch and yarn for hanging.

• Glue a few twigs in a crisscross pattern like a little shelter.
• Add tiny leaves as roof shingles.
• Draw little bugs around it (ladybugs, ants, beetles).

Kindergarten win: you get art plus a gentle science chat about where bugs might hide in fall.

Time: 10 to 20 minutes. Moderate drying time.

7) Pinecone paint and roll

You’ll need: a pinecone, washable paint, paper, tray or baking sheet.

• Pour a little paint onto a tray.
• Roll the pinecone through paint.
• Roll it across paper to make textured patterns.

Cleanup tip: do this in a rimmed baking sheet. Contained mess is my love language.

Time: 10 minutes plus drying time.

8) Leaf suncatcher

You’ll need: clear contact paper, tissue paper (optional), flat leaves, scissors.

• Cut a piece of contact paper and place sticky-side up.
• Arrange leaves (and a few tissue paper bits if you want extra color).
• Seal with a second piece of contact paper.
• Trim edges and tape to a window.

9) Acorn cap mosaics

You’ll need: acorn caps, paper or cardboard, glue, marker.

• Draw a simple shape outline (heart, pumpkin, letter of their name).
• Glue acorn caps inside the outline like a mosaic.
• Let dry, then color the background if desired.

Kindergarten tip: set a timer for 10 minutes and call it done. These are surprisingly absorbing.

Time: 10 to 20 minutes. Drying time needed.

10) Simple weaving on cardboard

You’ll need: a piece of cardboard, scissors, yarn or string, paper strips or ribbon, plus a few thin leaves and twigs for decorating.

• Cut small notches along the top and bottom of the cardboard.
• Wrap yarn up and down to create simple warp strings (adult setup helps).
• Weave paper strips or ribbon through the strings for an easier win, then tuck in a leaf or two as accents.

Keep it simple: kinder weaving is “over-under-ish.” If it turns into “over-over-under,” it is still weaving.

Time: 15 to 25 minutes. No drying time.

11) Leaf garland

You’ll need: twine or yarn, tape, optional hole punch, leaves.

• Press leaves briefly if they are curled.
• Easiest method: tape the leaf stems to the yarn with small pieces of tape.
• If you use a hole punch: reinforce the spot with a small piece of tape first, then punch through the tape and leaf together to help prevent tearing.
• Hang and admire your very seasonal decorating skills.

Time: 10 to 20 minutes. No drying time.

12) Nature prints

You’ll need: washable paint, paintbrush or sponge, leaves, twigs, paper.

• Brush paint onto the bumpy side of a leaf.
• Press onto paper and lift to reveal the print.
• Dip twig ends into paint to make dots, berries, or raindrops.

Kindergarten tip: use just 2 to 3 paint colors. Too many options can turn into decision fatigue fast at this age.

Time: 10 to 15 minutes plus drying time.