Autumn Crafts for 5-Year-Olds: 7 Fun and Easy Ideas

Five-year-olds have improved physical coordination and love exploring, experimenting, and enjoying new challenges. They're full of energy which sometimes is hard to redirect. Focusing that energy on a fun, autumn-themed craft is a great way to channel their enthusiasm while also helping them develop their fine motor skills. Here are easy and fun autumn craft ideas that your five-year-old will love:

Penguin Craft Ideas

Penguin crafts are perfect for 5-year-olds because they're simple and require few materials. Plus, kids always love animals. Penguins are a favorite because they are unique and have exciting features. To make a penguin craft, you'll need black and white paper, scissors, glue, and a black marker. 

Cut the black paper into a penguin shape and the white into small circles for the eyes. Glue the eyes onto the penguin and draw a beak with the black marker. Stick the completed penguin onto a sheet of construction paper to create a fun background. You can also visit Craft Whack for penguin craft ideas.

Fall Tree Craft

This easy fall tree craft is perfect for 5-year-olds learning to use scissors. All you need is construction paper in fall colors, glue, and glitter (optional). Cut the construction paper into small strips and glue them onto a sheet of paper to create the tree. If you want, you can add some glitter for a sparkly effect. Alternatively, collect leaves, acorns, and other small nature items to stick on the tree.

Paper Plate Scarecrow

This paper plate scarecrow is a fun and easy way to decorate for fall. All you need is a paper plate, construction paper in black, brown, and red, scissors, glue, and a pencil. First, draw a face on the paper plate with the pencil. Then, cut out eyes, a nose, and a mouth from the black construction paper and glue them onto the plate. 

Cut strips of brown construction paper for the scarecrow's hair and glue them around the top edge of the plate. Finally, cut a triangle out of the red construction paper and glue it onto the plate for the scarecrow's nose. The scarecrow can be hung up with string or placed on a shelf.

Pumpkin Sun Catcher

To make this pretty pumpkin sun catcher, you'll need orange, yellow, and green tissue paper, scissors, glue, and a black marker. Cut the tissue paper into small squares. Next, glue the squares onto a sheet of clear contact paper in a pumpkin shape. Once the glue is dry, cut out the pumpkin shape and hang it in a window. 

The sunlight will shine through the tissue paper and create a beautiful effect. Another option is to use clear contact paper to make a fall-themed sun catcher with leaves, acorns, and other small nature items.

Apple Stamp Painting

This apple stamp painting is a fun and easy way to spend an afternoon. All you need is red, yellow, and green paint, a white sheet of paper, an apple, and a black marker. First, cut the apple in half and stamp it onto the paper to create an apple print. Next, draw a stem and leaves on the apple. Finally, paint the entire apple red, yellow, and green to create a beautiful fall effect.

Woodland Animal Craft

This woodland animal craft is perfect for 5-year-olds who love animals. All you need is brown and white construction paper, scissors, glue, and a black marker. First, cut the construction paper into animal shapes. 

Use the scissors to cut out eyes, noses, and mouths from the white construction paper and glue them onto the animals. Draw additional features, like whiskers or antlers, with the black marker. These cute animals can be used to decorate a fall-themed bulletin board or classroom.

Coffee Filter Turkey

This coffee filter turkey is a fun and easy way to decorate for Thanksgiving. All you need is coffee filters, scissors, glue, and a black marker. First, cut the coffee filters into turkey shapes. Afterward, cut out eyes, noses, and mouths from construction paper, and glue them onto the turkey. Draw feathers or feet with the black marker. These turkeys can be hung up with string or placed on a shelf.

Have Fun

Gather all the materials you need before starting any crafts to make the entire activity fun and easy. This way, 5-year-olds can simply follow the instructions and create their autumn-themed masterpieces. It's also more fun when you both work on the crafts together. So, sit down, have some fun, and get creative.