Craft ideas for children: Autumn crafts with natural materials

Chestnuts, leaves, pine cones – in autumn, the garden, forest and meadows are full of handicraft materials. During a nice autumn walk or in their own garden, children will find everything they need for a cosy afternoon of handicrafts. Equip your offspring with a cotton bag or a basket and let your kids collect eagerly.

Fall is here: 5 easy craft ideas for kids

Autumn is perfect for handicrafts: the days are getting shorter again, nature is full of material and the home is just waiting to be decorated imaginatively. Go out into nature with your children now and let colourful leaves, shiny chestnuts and originally shaped branches inspire you to come up with creative craft ideas. By the way, such an autumn walk is best after a storm , because then Lots of craft materials on the floor .

Before we start ...

• Before crafting, check whether you all the materials you need at home. The disappointment among children is immense when they come back from their raid and can't get started right away.
• Where there is planing, there are also chips: Cover the crafting table with a thick oilcloth blanket and clear away everything that could disturb or break.
• Ensure a Safe craft environment : Keep sharp objects or tools under lock and key when doing crafts with young children.
• Please the kids, an old smock or a discarded shirt so that stains or glue on clothing are not a problem.

Five easy-to-implement craft ideas for kids

1. Creative chestnut animals

Collecting chestnuts is great fun for children. So off with the kids to the next chestnut tree!

What you need:

• Chestnuts
• Hand Drill
• Toothpicks or shish kebab skewers
• Cord
• Hot glue gun
• Pipe cleaners, branches, chestnut shells, wiggly eyes for decoration

 

Here's how to do it: Hedgehog, spider or caterpillar – with chestnuts, girls and boys can recreate many animals in just a few steps. First, the smooth, brown fruits are Cleaned of dirt and dust with a damp cloth .

In order for the toothpicks to be inserted into the chestnut, you need to corresponding holes with the hand drill Pre-drill. Children from the age of six can also do it independently. Then the chestnuts are with the help of toothpicks or a string (caterpillar) to form bodies. At the end, the children are allowed to give free rein to their creativity and Decorate chestnut animals .

2. Wooden mobiles made of branches and pine cones

A wooden mobile becomes a real eye-catcher in the children's and living room - especially if it is homemade.

What you need:

• Sticks and/or thin branches
• Pine cones, chestnuts, acorns
• Thin cord or raffia
• Scissors

 

Here's how to do it: Pine cones, chestnuts or acorns are made with thin cord or raffia attached to one or more branches . For a wooden wind chime with several levels, you need three to five thin branches; for a simple one, a slightly thicker stick is enough. If you want, you can use the Paint materials brightly before tying them together .

3. Sugar-sweet cone men

Gnomes are as much a part of autumn and winter as candlelight and biscuits. You can hang these up, put them up and admire them.

What you need:

• Pine cones
• Acorns with shell
• Beechnuts
• Washi tape
• Hot glue gun
• Pins

 

Here's how to do it: Spread out the collected material in front of you and let the kids Assemble small gnomes from pine cones and acorns . Bonding is done with the Hot glue gun . Beechnuts or acorn shells serve as headgear. A smart ribbon around the neck and another face painted on it - the cone men are ready.

4. Brightly painted stones

Children find stones at any time of the year and often they become well-guarded treasures. Brightly painted, they can be given away or used as decoration.

What you need:

• Many different stones
• Good covering colors, for example finger paints or felt-tip pens
• Brushes
• Clear coat without solvent

 

Here's how to do it: Before you start painting stones for children, you should Wash and dry all finds thoroughly . Then every child can let their imagination run wild: figurative motifs, patterns or abstract scribbles - give your offspring a free hand. In the end, the Stones with clear varnish are painted, then they shine beautifully and the Paint lasts better .

5. Tea lights decorated with leaves

A tea light provides atmospheric candlelight in the dark season. Children are as proud as Oscar when they have made it themselves.

What you need:

• Decorative, freshly fallen autumn leaves from the tree
• Jam or mason jars
• Tissue paper in bright shades
• Paste
• Brushes
• Tea light

 

Here's how to do it: First of all, colorful tissue paper torn or cut into shreds . You can use one color or different shades. Next, the Glass thickly brushed with paste and glued with the snippets . When the tissue paper has dried, the children can then use one or more Glue leaves to the glass . Now the Tealight in and tea time can begin – under supervision, of course.

For handicrafts in autumn, children need two things above all: material and creativity. Therefore, just let them get started without any concrete specifications - often wonderful results come out of it.