Finger-Painted Pumpkins- Submitted by Cheryl

The children fingerpaint directly on our plastic topped table with orange paint. When the children are finished painting, press pre-cut paper (a large pumpkin shape) on each child's work to capture the print.. The next day when the pumpkins are dry, have the children glue on a stem precut from green construction paper - any place on the pumpkin is fine. The pumpkins look good displayed along the classroom walls. For vines, I use lengths of green curling ribbon to connect the pumpkins to each other by their stems and add leaves here & there.

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Pumpkin Playdough- Submitted by Cheryl

Make orange play dough and roll it into balls (little pumpkins)

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Harvest Art- Submitted by Christi

*draw faces on a pumpkin w/ washable markers or crayons
*make crayon rubbings of pumpkins, corn cobs, etc
*dip cornstalks & gourds in paint & use them to make prints on paper
*fingerpaint on bumpy corn or a smooth pumpkin

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Make a Scarecrow- Submitted by Christi

Collect some old clothes, jeans, plaid shirt, straw hat if you have one, gloves and an old pair of boots. Stuff them with leaves, straw or newspaper.Attach them all together to form a body. Use a cloth sac or a paper bag for the head. Decorate the head as a scarecrow face, add straw for hair and add an old hat! You can even add boots for his feet!

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Leaves- Submitted by Christi

Supply each child with a piece of white paper and instruct them to paint it using red and yellow paint. they may mix the paints to create orange. Allow the papers to dry, then flip the papers over and draw leaf shapes on the back for the children to cut out. Have them cut out the leaves.

You may then:

- Have them make a leaf mobile
- Hang them from the ceiling
- Have them glue them onto a piece of paper with a trunk to make a tree
- Put them up on a bulletin board
- Hang them from a classroom size tree.

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Torn Paper Tree- Submitted by Christi

Have the children make a torn paper tree with brown paper for the trunk, and red, orange and yellow paper for the leaves. The children should be supplied with the paper and glue. they should tear the pieces of paper into the shape they want it to be.

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Leaf Necklace- Submitted by Christi

Cut out many leaf cutouts using many fall colors. Have the child decorate with markers and crayons. Laminate the leaves (optional), then punch a hole in the stems and give the child some string or yarn, and have them thread them on. Add some beads for extra color!

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Finger Tree- Submitted by Christi

Gather colored paper (red, orange, brown, green, yellow). Trace the child's hand onto several sheets of several colors. Cut out. Then cut out a brown tree trunk & branches in proportion to the amount of leaves. Have the child glue the hand shapes to the tree branches to form the leaves of the tree. Option: Have the child think of things to be thankful for and label the hand/leaves.

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Falling Leaves- Submitted by Sherry

leaves cut from construction paper (fall colors), Circles (9" in diameter) cut from brown construction paper, scissors, tape or glue for each child

Draw a spiral on the brown circles and have the children cut along the spiral line of the circle. When they are finished ask them to lift the cut circle to see the results!! Provide pre-cut leaves (or materials for them to cut them). Glue or tape the leaves along the spiral. Hang the decorated spirals from the ceiling of the room.

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Thumbprint Trees- Submitted by Sherry

Use a photocopy of a bare tree or draw one. Run it on brown paper. Use red, yellow, green, and orange paint. Using fingerprints, press on "leaves" onto the tree.

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Gourd Fun- Submitted by Sherry

Use acrylic paints to make a face on a gourd. The gourds naturally have characteristics that create a funny face.

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Squirrels- Submitted by Sherry

Use a blackline master of a squirrel and run on gray paper. Use grey cotton balls/or fake fur and let children glue onto the tail. Another idea is to let the children paint a squirrel on the easel.

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Craft Squirrel- Submitted by Sherry

You can either use a walnut or acorn. A walnut is easier because it is easier to manipulate. Use gray pom poms and make a squirrel, attaching it to the nut. Then add tiny wiggle eyes and whiskers. Whiskers can be made from yarn, fishing line, cross stitch floss,etc;

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Macaroni Leaf- Submitted by Sherry

(Great for fine motor). Run a blackline master of a leaf onto tagboard and cut out. Glue on fall colored/shaped macaroni. Kids love this one.

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Autumn Windsock- Submitted by Sherry

Take bags outside and collect leaves. Bring them inside and lay out on the art table. Using long sturdy white paper, glue leaves on, and let dry. Laminate and then roll into a windsock shape and staple. Then punch a hole on each top side. Add colored yarn to form a hanger. Then add colored crepe paper to blow in the wind.

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Leaf Rubbings- Submitted by Sherry

Use gathered leaves, and tape them to a tabletop. Place large pieces of paper over and tape down. Use crayons to rub over and magically leaves appear.

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Leaf Place Mat- Submitted by Sherry

Glue leaves onto heavy paper. Add glitter, crayon shavings, confetti, etc; Then either laminate or cover with contac paper.

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Handy Pumpkins- Submitted by Sherry

Brown construction paper, orange and green paint

Have each child make a fist shape and then paint their knuckles orange. Let the child press the painted knuckles onto the paper. Add a thumbprint green stem onto each pumpkin. If desired add orange or green glitter if desired. Once dry, use green yarn pieces to connect the pumpkins, creating a vine effect.

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Leaf Mobile- Submitted by Sherry

Glue colorful and different fabrics to both sides of several pieces of heavy paper. Cut leaves from this. Tie a string on each leaf. Suspend the leaves from a small branch. Hang where the leaves will catch the breeze and flutter.

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Autumn Leaves- Submitted by Sherry

Construction paper, waxed paper, old crayon (red, orange and yellow, plastic bag, hammer, iron

Cut construction paper into leaf frames. Place crayons in a plastic bag and let the children help pound them into little pieces with a hammer. Cut waxed paper into sheets. Plug in iron. Let the children place crayon pieces between two sheets of waxed paper. Then press over the papers with an iron to melt the crayons and waxed paper sheets together. Put leaf frames around the finished pictures and hang them in a window.

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Cornstarch Impressions- Submitted by Sherry

Cornstarch, baking soda, water, saucepan, waxed paper, nature objects such as leaves, twigs and flowers

In a saucepan, mix together 1 cup cornstarch, 2 cups baking soda, and 1 1/4 cups water. Cook over medium heat until the mixture thickens. Cool, then flatten mixture between sheets of waxed paper. Let the children lay leaves, twigs, flowers or other nature objects on top of the cornstarch mixture and press them down firmly. Then have them remove the objects to see the detailed impressions they made.

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Window Painting- Submitted by Sherry

Paint a fall scene on your window. Use the following recipe and the paint is easily removed. Give each child a window to decorate. Window Paint: 2 Tbsp powdered tempera paint, 1 Tbsp warm water, 1 tsp Joy dish washing liquid Measure powdered paint into a container. Mix in water thoroughly to achieve a smooth paste. Add JOY, mixing completely, but gently, to avoid making paint too sudsy. Dries on windows in 5 - 10 minutes. Washes off easily with a solution of water and vinegar.

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Leaf Bracelets- Submitted by Sherry

Wrap a piece of masking tape (sticky side out) around each child's wrist. Go on a nature walk and have children collect one leaf from each of several trees, sticking it on their leaf bracelet. When the class returns, sit in circle. Teacher holds up each leaf shape in turn and lets children identify similar leaf on their bracelets. Let children wear their bracelets home and check the types of leaves in their yards.

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Fall Tree- Submitted by Sherry

In the Fall we cut trees out of poster board- one for each child, then when we go for our walks we collect leaves and glue them on our trees.

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Puzzle Tree- Submitted by Sherry

Found a great easy activity for spring, you know those puzzles that seem to always have missing pieces (like the 63 piece one that only has 40 pieces left ) Cut out the trunk of a tree with limbs glue this or even staple it to another piece of paper (yellow makes a great back ground color) and glue the puzzle pieces to the branches of the tree. This could also be used during the fall.

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Fall Tree 2- Submitted by Sherry

Crumple small pieces of red yellow and orange tissue paper glue them onto a large paper plate cut slit in one end of a TP roll insert the paper plate splatter paint leaves arrange one or more leaves on a sheet of construction paper partially fill a small spray bottle with DILUTED tempera paint spray lightly over the leaves when paint dries, lift the leaves to reveal the design.

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Leaf Bookmark- Submitted by Sherry

Cconstruction paper, contact paper, leaves and scissors cut construction paper into 3x6 inches

Have the children collect leaves on a nature walk children arrange the leaves onto contact paper. Put the construction paper over the contact paper and cut around the edges.

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Clay Leaf Prints- Submitted by Sherry

Use a rolling pin to flatten clay or a drying type dough. Lay a leaf on the clay and roll over it. Remove the leaf and let the clay dry. Paint the clay with fall colors of tempera.

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Water Leaf Prints- Submitted by Sherry
(outside activity)

Provide paintbrushes and small buckets of water. The children paint fall leaves with water, then press them on the cement. Observe the pattern the print makes. Point out and discuss the vein in the leaf. This can be done indoors by using tempera paint instead of the water. The children paint the leaves and then press them on white construction paper.

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Glitter Pine Cones- Submitted by Sherry

Dip pine cones into a bowl of white glue, and then dip them into a bowl of glitter. Let them dry, and hang them from the ceiling by a string.

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Autumn Trees- Submitted by Jean

Trace the child's hand and forearm. This is the tree trunk and branches, color it brown. Tear pieces of red, green, yellow, orange and brown tissue paper and glue on the branches for leaves. Don't forget to glue some on the ground for fallen leaves.

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Corncob Printing- Submitted by Cheryl

Wash corncobs and allow them to dry for several days. Make paint pads by placing folded paper towels in shallow containers and pouring on yellow tempera paint. Have the children first roll the corncobs on the paint pads. Then let them roll the cobs across their papers to make prints.
Variation:
Use a serrated knife to cut the corncobs in half. Let the children dip the cutoff ends into the paint and press them onto their papers to make yellow corncob flowers.

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Scarecrow Masks- Submitted by Cheryl

Using paper plates, have the children make scarecrow masks. Use pieces of brown construction paper for straw hats. Yarn may be used for hair, and buttons for noses. After the children have decorated their masks, cut eye holes and add yarn to tie masks around the children's heads.

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Lima Bean Pumpkins- Submitted by Cheryl

Have the children paint lima beans orange. After the paint has dried, glue the lima beans onto construction paper in pumpkin shapes. The children can add faces to their pumpkins with construction paper, string, paint, etc. Using crayons, markers, or paints, they can create colorful fall backgrounds.

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Paperbag Scarecrow- Submitted by Cheryl

small and medium brown paper bags, assorted colored paper markers, crayons, newspaper, tape

Assemble body by stuffing medium brown paper bag with crumpled newspaper. Fold the top closed and tape it shut. Assemble head by filling small paper bag with more crumpled newspaper about 2/3 full. Twist and tape shut. Make a hole in the body to insert the twisted end of the head into. Tape into place. Cut arms and legs out of brown paper and glue or tape to body. Make "hay" by cutting paper bags into thin strips about 2-3" long (longer for hair). Glue "hay" around neck, wrists and ankles. Also glue longer strips to head for hair. Decorate using markers or crayons and colored paper to create a face for your scarecrow and patches for his clothes.

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Corn Collage- Submitted by Cheryl

Yellow and green construction paper, Glue, Unpopped popcorn

Cut a "corn cob" and "husks" out of paper. Glue the "husks" around the "cob". Spread the glue on the "cob" and cover it with unpopped popcorn.

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Fall Face Picture- Submitted by Cheryl

Cut a 4 1/2" circle out of white paper. Have children glue circle on construction paper. Ahead of time collect a variety of leaves. Let children glue leaves on circle for hair. Use markers or crayons to add the facial features.

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Leaf Silhouettes- Submitted by Cheryl

Materials:
An empty pump spray bottle, liquid tempera paint, water, newspaper, white or colored paper and leaves.

Activity:
If you do this inside, lay down several pieces of newspaper first. Fill a spray bottle with diluted paint (one part paint to two parts water).Use as many colors as you have spray bottles. Ask the children to chose leaves whose shape they like and arrange them on a piece of paper. If needed, help the child aim the spray bottle at the leaves to spray around them. The child can then lift the leaves off and see the silhouettes they leave behind.

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Sponge Painting- Submitted by Cheryl

Cut a leaf shape on brown paper(paper bags). Let the children sponge paint the leave with fall colors. These look beautiful on a tree on the wall.

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3-D Apple- Submitted by Cheryl

Starch, a small balloon (water balloon size), red tissue paper, Glue, Smocks, a pin, paint brush, small dish, green and brown paper, yarn or string,

Pour some starch into a bowl. Cut the red tissue paper into strips. Then blow up the balloon and tie it off. Take a piece of string and tie it to the knot of the balloon. Next give the children a paint brush and the starch. Let them lay a piece of tissue paper on the balloon and then paint it with starch. Continue to do this till the balloon is covered. Now hang it to dry. Could take a day or two. Then cut out a stem from brown paper, and a leaf from the green. When the balloon is dry take a pin and pop the balloon. Once it pops you should be able to tug on the yarn and pull it right out. Now take some glue and glue the yarn back into the hole where the knot was. Then glue the stem and the leaf on too. Then hang.

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Apple Necklace- Submitted by Cheryl

One thing we have done with apples is thinly slice them (with the skin on)and let them dry. Then take another apple and do the same thing but put it in a dehydrator. Ask the children which apple dehydrated faster and what happened to the apple. This is a great science project. Coat each dehydrated apple slice with modge podge and made a necklace for each student.

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Tissue Cord Leaves- Submitted by Cheryl

Use tissue paper in fall colors, construction paper of same colors, glue, cotton swabs, scissors, pencil, leaf patterns, and yarn or string.

Using patterns, cut construction paper into leaf shapes. Set aside. Select one color of tissue paper for each leaf. Cut into strips approximately 1 inch wide. Wrap tissue paper strips tightly around a long piece of string. These strips will b cut to create veins inside leaves. Smaller children may have an easier time simply using colored yarn. Dip cotton swab into glue and outling edges of construction paper leaves. Spread glue inside outline in the natural vein patterns of real leaves. make a thick line of glue down the center of leaf onto stem. Attach tissue paper cords to glue outlines cutting off as edge of leaf is reached. Let dry.

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Rolled Potato Art- Submitted by Terri

Potatoes (one for each color paint you use),Paint (At least two colors to let the children chose a color, Spoon, Deep container (Small Rubbermaid container works well), Construction Paper

Take construction paper and place (you might want to tape it to the bottom) it in the container, you may need to cut paper a little to fit. Let the child pick a color of paint and spoon a little in the middle of the paper. Place one potato in the container and let children roll it around. At the end it is interesting to see the shape of the potato on the paper in the way it rolled around. The kids love to use their big muscle groups to roll that potato around!

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Fist prints Pumpkin Patch- Submitted by Terri

Have the children make a fist. Dip the outside of the fingers into some orange paint and then press onto a sheet of paper. (You may need to help them "roll" their fist onto the paper.) Repeat this several times. After the paint dries, the children may use crayons or markers to draw the stems, leaves, and vines.

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Acorn Art- Submitted by Terri

For a Fall theme art project I traced an Acorn on a piece of brown construction paper. (I made the acorn take up the whole sheet of paper) . I asked the children to help me find some brown leaves that have fallen to the ground. (the older they are and crisper, the better!) We put them in a bag and crushed the leaves. In small cups I added glitter to brown paint. On the "cap" of the acorn spread some glue and add the crushed brown leaves. Paint the bottom of the acorn with the brown glitter paint.

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Scarecrows- Submitted by Terri

In our two year old class we took the pattern of a gingerbread man and cut them out and then let the children glue scraps of fabric onto them to make scarecrows. Great small motor.

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Tye Dye with Veggies- Submitted by Terri

Boil different fall vegetables. Use colored water to tye-dye tee-shirts with children.

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Indian Corn- Submitted by Terri

We cut corn-shaped poster board and staple brown and yellow crape paper on top. The children paint the paper with glue, then stick on "Kix" cereal. Looks neat! Indian Corn 2- Submitted by Terri

After showing Indian Corn to the children at circle time, I set up the art table to make our own Indian Corn. I placed a large sheet of bubble wrap paper on the table, along with individual trays of red, yellow, orange and green paint with rollers and brushes. The children rolled/brushed the paint onto the bubble wrap and then placed pieces of oval shaped construction paper on top. They lifted it off and had a wonderful print. After they dried, I stapled three together to look like Indian Corn. Really came out cute.

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Fall Wreaths- Submitted by Terri

I use this project for a fall/harvest theme. Cut a hole in the center of a paper plate to make a wreath. Collect fall items on a walk with your class. Add to these items fall seeds, pods, farm corn, straw,... that may not be found easily on a walk. Have the children glue these items onto the plate. Hang from the ceiling or on a bulletin board.

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Colored Rice Leaves- Submitted by Nan

Prepare dried rice by coloring with food coloring (red, yellow, orange, green) & 1 tsp rubbing alcohol in plastic bag. Spread to dry. Trace the child's hand/forearm on a pc of paper to use as the tree trunk & branches. Add the colored rice to the tree & surrounding paper as the leaves.

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Tissue Paper Tree- Submitted by Nan

Trace the child's hand/forearm on a pc of paper to use as the tree trunk & branches. Give each child squares of colored tissue paper and have them glue to the branches and surrounding paper as leaves.

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Cornflake Leaves- Submitted by Nan

Have students draw or paint a brown tree trunk and branches. Paint a small area with glue and sprinkle with cornflakes. Paint another small area with glue and add corn flakes until the branches are covered.

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Falling Leaf Mobiles- Submitted by Nan

Have children color and cut out leaf patterns from a blackline copy. Glue or staple the leaves onto a spiral made from a paper plate. Hang from the ceiling. The leaves appear to be falling to the ground!

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Leaf Prints- Submitted by Nan

Use foam rollers on real leave to make prints. Have the trays of paint for the fall colors of leaves, roll the paint on the leaves front or back. Lay ,paint side down ,cover with another paper and rub. The more children that use the same leaves the better the fall colors.

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Powdered Fall Leaves- Submitted by Nan

Your youngsters will love the colorful effect of these appealing fall leaves. To make a leaf, pinch the end of a spring-type clothespin and insert a cotton ball. Dip the cotton ball in yellow, orange, green, or red powdered tempera paint, and then rub it on a piece of manila paper. Repeat this process several times, overlapping colors, until the paper is completely covered. Shake the excess paint from the paper. Place the manila paper on a sheet of newspaper. Using a water-filled spray bottle, mist the paper. When the paint is dry, trace a tagboard leaf cutout on the paper. Then cut on the resulting outline. Mount the leaves on a wall or bulletin board for a great fall display.

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Raking the Leaves- Submitted by Nan

Cut a large paper plate in half. Staple the curved sides together leaving a space at the top to slip in a paper towel roll. Staple the paper towel roll in place. Draw a line about 2 inches above the cut edge and have the children cut TO the line to make the rake tines. Curl the tips if desired. As an added touch, glue construction paper leaves to the end of the rake.

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Leaf Glitter Names- Submitted by Nan

Before starting write each child's name in pencil on a piece of heavy paper. Children "write" their name in glue by tracing over the pencil marks and then they attach leaf glitter shapes of various colors on top of the glue line.

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Dryer Hose Pumpkins- Submitted by Sherry

First, go out and buy several packages of WHITE dryer hoses, the kind that goes from your dryer to the vent outside. Count out 13 rings on the dryer hose and cut it with a strong pair of scissors. Fold the cut dryer hose around so it looks like a pumpkin and staple the two ends together. Let the children paint their pumpkins with orange paint. Finally, make a stem from rolled up brown paper bags.

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Pumpkin Pies- Submitted by Sherry

Old aluminum foil pie tins, White construction paper to fit inside the pie tins, Pumpkin Pie Spice, Orange Paint, Glue

Have the children glue the construction paper into their pie tin. Next, have them paint the construction paper and inside the pie tin. Finally, have them sprinkle the pumpkin pie spice all over the paint! This smells very yummy for a long time!

Here is a variation of this activity!

Have the children dip their hand in paint and make a handprint directly in the pie tin. Let them shake pumpkin pie spice inside the pie tin for a wonderful fall keepsake.

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Autumn Potpourri Jars- Submitted by Julia

Clean baby food jars with labels and lids removed, 5" lace or tulle circles, Rubber bands, Red, orange, and/or yellow ribbon, Potpourri (a nice spicy one for autumn!)

Fill the jars with potpourri, then place the lace or tulle over the top of the jar and secure into place with a rubber band. Tie a piece of ribbon over the band. If you feel really creative, you can use acrylic craft paints to paint or stencil autumn leaves on the jar.

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Orange Paint Surprise- Submitted by Sherry

Cut large pumpkin shapes out of white paper. Give each of your children one of these shapes. As your children to tell you what color a pumpkin is. Put a dollop of red paint and a dollop of yellow paint on each child's shape. Challenge the children to discover a way to make their pumpkins orange with the red and yellow paint.

Variation:
Use large carrot shapes, leaf shapes or flower shapes instead of pumpkin shapes.

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Leaf Rainbow- Submitted by Sherry

Take your children on a walk to collect a variety of fall leaves. Back in your room, have your children sort the leaves by color. Cut a large rainbow shape out of cardboard. Show your children how to glue or tape the leaves to the rainbow to make arcs of different colors. Start with the red leaves on the bottom, followed by orange, yellow, brown and deep purple. (Adjust the colors to match the colors of leaves the children have collected.)

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Autumn Streamers- Submitted by Sherry

Bring in a variety of fall leaves. Cut crepe paper into lenghts ranging from 2 to 3 feet. Lay the crepe-paper strips flat on tables and on the floor. Let your children glue several leaves near one end of each strip. When the glue is dry, hang the children's autumn streamers from the ceiling for festive fall decorations

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Bug on a Leaf Brooch- Submitted by Lisa in VA

Red Pistachio Shells, Orange, and/or yellow felt, Indelible black marker, 1 inch pin backs, Glue gun

Cut the felt into small leaf shapes, no larger than about two inches by two inches. Glue one pistachio shell onto each leaf. With marker, decorate shell to look like a lady bug (a line down the center to show the wings, a few dots on either side), turn over and attach pinback with glue gun. *my own note ~ you could actually use a real leaf as well, I would assume and maybe spray it to help preserve it.

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Miniature Nut Wreath- Submitted by Lisa in VA

Small (four inch) vine wreaths from craft store (alternatively you can cut four inch circles from corrugated cardboard, and cut out the centers of the circle with a craft knife), Nuts in shells (walnuts, hazelnuts, acorns, sunflower seeds and almonds look nicest), Autumn color silk leaves from the craft store, or felt leaves you cut yourself, Autumn color ribbons, one inch wide, Autumn color ribbon, 1/4 inch wide, Glue gun

Glue a few leaves onto your wreath at varying points. The leaves should hang past the outer edge of the wreath. Cover the remainder of the wreath with glued on nuts and seeds. Tie a bow with the one inch ribbon and glue it at the bottom of the wreath. Tie a loop of the 1/4 inch ribbon and glue it at the top of the wreath so that it can be hung from a tack or hook.

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