Autumn is a season made for children. The crunch of leaves, the excitement of Halloween, the golden colours filling every walk to school, it’s the perfect backdrop for fun, creative adventures at home.

At Premier Education, we know childhood should be filled with movement, laughter, and discovery. Crafting is a brilliant way to capture all three. It’s not just about making things; it’s about the giggles when paint gets on noses, the pride when a masterpiece is finished, and the memories parents and children make together.

Here are ten simple craft ideas to spark smiles and keep little hands busy this season.

1)    Paper plate pumpkins

Nothing says autumn like a cheerful pumpkin. With just a paper plate, orange paint, and a grin cut from black card, children can create their very own spooky (or silly) decoration. Pop them in the window and watch your street light up with smiles.

2)    Leaf kebabs

Children love collecting treasures on autumn walks – conkers, acorns, colourful leaves. Leaf kebabs make those finds even more exciting. Start with a stick and thread leaves of different shapes and colours to build a rainbow of autumn shades. Younger children enjoy the repetition of sliding leaves on, while older ones can create patterns or talk about how leaves change colour. Once finished, leaf kebabs can be stood in jars like nature bouquets. It’s a craft that blends movement, discovery, and creativity.

(If your child loves hands-on adventures outdoors, our Holiday Clubs offer the same mix of active play and imagination, no matter the season.)

3)    Mummies bunting

Halloween decorations always get children excited, but store-bought items can feel a little lifeless. Making your own mummy bunting turns it into an activity as well as a decoration. Cut figure shapes from card and let children wrap them with strips of white wool or tissue, adding googly eyes for character. Every “mummy” looks different – some silly, some spooky, some even a little cute. When you hang them together, you don’t just have bunting; you’ve got a garland of your child’s creativity, each piece with its own story. It’s a reminder that the best decorations are the ones kids are proud they made themselves.

4)    Pine cone squirrels 

This is where children’s imagination truly runs wild. Pinecones, picked up from a park or playground, suddenly become squirrels with just a few additions: a pom-pom nose, pipe-cleaner tail, and googly eyes. Let children design the expressions – cheeky, surprised, mischievous. They can even build little “homes” from twigs and leaves to create a mini woodland scene.

It’s a chance to teach them about wildlife and the way animals prepare for winter, while also letting their creativity shine. Parents often find that these crafts become keepsakes, proudly displayed on mantelpieces long after autumn ends.

5)    Glowstick broomsticks 

Dark evenings can sometimes feel gloomy, but this craft adds a touch of magic. Take a glowstick, wrap the base with strips of black card or tissue to make broom bristles, and suddenly you’ve got a “witch’s broom” that glows in the dark.

Children love waving them around in the garden or carrying them on evening walks. They’re especially fun at Halloween parties, lighting up the night without the need for candles or torches. The real magic comes from the way kids play with them afterwards, pretending to fly, sharing them with friends, and making up games under the stars.

6)    Spooky jam jar lanterns

There’s something special about the glow of a lantern. Using recycled jam jars, tissue paper, and battery-powered tealights, children can create lanterns in fiery reds, oranges, and yellows. Add cut-out silhouettes of bats, cats, or pumpkins, and each lantern tells its own story.

Once complete, line them along a window or doorstep to transform your home into a glowing autumn display. For children, the excitement isn’t just in making them, it’s in seeing the finished jars light up the night. And for parents, it’s a safe, simple way to bring seasonal magic indoors.

7)    No-sew scarecrow hat

Dress-up isn’t just for Halloween. With felt triangles, glue, and some creative decorations, children can design their very own scarecrow hats. Encourage them to add patches of fabric, bright buttons, or ribbon tassels. Once made, the hats become props for imaginative play, and children love pretending to be characters from their favourite stories or inventing new ones.

It’s the type of craft that doesn’t end when the glue dries. Instead, it becomes part of everyday fun, popping up in games, costumes, and even family photos.

8)  Pumpkin Bowling

For families who love active fun, pumpkin bowling is the perfect way to burn off energy indoors or in the garden. Use empty bottles as pins and a small pumpkin as the ball. Children love the unpredictability – pumpkins don’t roll in a straight line, which makes every throw an adventure. It’s laughter guaranteed, and the kind of game that brings siblings, friends, and parents together. Best of all, it turns a simple seasonal prop into hours of fun.

(For more ways to keep children active and engaged after school, explore our Wraparound Care and Extracurricular Clubs – where energy, imagination, and friendships grow every day.)

Why Crafts Matter

These projects aren’t about “passing the time.” They’re about:

• children discovering new skills,

• parents and children laughing together, and

• families creating seasonal traditions that last.

At Premier Education, we believe in giving every child moments that make them feel happy, active, and included – whether through crafts at home or activities at our clubs.

Because happy kids today mean healthier futures tomorrow.

Happy Kids. Healthy Futures.

Proud of your autumn creations? We’d love to see your autumn crafts and fall leaf crafts! Share your fall crafts with us on Instagram by tagging us or using the hashtags #PremierEducation #HappyKidsHealthyFutures, or share your creations on our Premier Parents Club Facebook Group, your space to share ideas, swap tips, and celebrate the little wins (and laugh at the chaos) of family life.