Oak Apple Crafts for Kids

Here’s an apple craft for kids and adults made from oak apples, or galls! 

Oak galls, also known as oak apples, are large, round, apple-like structures often found on or around oak trees. Their sturdy yet organic form makes them ideal for nature-based crafts. With proper preparation, you can safely store and use them for months or even years.

Use the step-by-step instructions below to make this apple nature craft. Children love crafting with oak galls. Add a rustic touch to your DIY home decor with this simple fall craft project for all ages. For more apple craft ideas for kids, check out this fun round-up of apple arts and crafts and fall art projects for kids.

Related: Nature Crafts and Art Activities that use Natural Materials

Rustic Apple Crafts for Kids and Adults

Make rustic apple crafts out of oak galls with this easy nature craft idea for kids!

My daughter and I have always called these strange growths that grow on oak trees oak balls. We thought they looked so much like apples that we decided to paint them red and add twigs and felt leaves to make them look even more like apples.

Imagine our surprise when we looked them up and learned that they are called oak apples! Traditionally, oak galls were highly prized for their high tannin content, making them a key ingredient in iron gall ink. People used this ink to create historical manuscripts.

Today, artists and calligraphers still use them to develop natural inks, while others, like my daughter and I, use their shape and texture to make nature crafts. Their earthy appearance adds a rustic charm to handmade crafts, such as these apples. You can also use them for mixed media art, sculpture, or jewelry-making.

Related: Apple Orchard Field Trip Ideas

Where do you find oak apples?

You can find oak apples or oak galls on the roots, branches, and leaves of oak trees. You can also find them lying on the ground where oak trees grow. If you are harvesting galls for crafts or ink making, late summer to early fall is typically the best time to collect them. Gather those that are mature, dry, and beginning to fall from the tree, or can be easily removed.

What are oak Galls or apples?

Oak apples are fascinating natural growths found on oak trees. Certain types of wasps form them by laying their eggs in the tree’s tissue. They are caused by the larva of a species of wasp called a gall wasp or gallfly. Oak galls develop when the female insect lays her eggs. In response, the tree grows a protective casing around the larva — the gall. Once the eggs hatch, the larvae feed on the gall’s nutritive tissue. Exactly how the gall forms is unknown, but it is believed to result from chemical, mechanical, and/or viral triggers.

Oak galls vary in size, shape, and color, and can be dried and used in a variety of craft and art projects, from natural dyes and inks to rustic home decor and ornaments. Their unique appearance, often resembling small fruits or large woody marbles, makes them an intriguing material for crafters who want to work with natural supplies. Their sturdy yet organic form makes them an ideal material for nature crafts. You might also enjoy these Fall Nature Crafts.

Related: Apple Pie Oatmeal Recipe

Apple Nature Craft Supplies:

Gather the recommended supplies below to make these easy apple nature crafts:

• Oak galls or apples
• Twigs
• Green felt or construction paper
• Red acrylic paint
• Paintbrush
• Tongs (optional)
• Small bowl
• Scissors
• Garden Shears (optional)
• Hot glue or craft glue

Related: Apple Tree Craft for Kids

Apple Nature Craft Idea: Paint Oak Galls to Look Like Apples:

Painting oak apples is similar to painting rocks. Transform oak galls into adorable apple crafts with this simple craft tutorial for kids:

1. Go on a nature hunt to collect oak galls and twigs:

• Start by collecting only intact galls.
• To find oak galls, look on oak trees and on the ground where oak trees grow, and you should spot plenty!
• Late summer to early fall is typically the best time.
• Select galls that are mature, dry, and easy to remove, or that are beginning to fall from the tree.
• Avoid those that are moldy, damp, or visibly infested.
• My daughter has always been fascinated with them, so we occasionally gather them on our daily walks in the woods.
• Also, collect a few twigs to create a stem for each apple craft.

2. Clean Oak Galls:

• Before using oak galls in any artistic or decorative project, clean and disinfect them thoroughly.
• These natural growths often harbor insects, dirt, spores, or decaying organic matter, particularly if they have fallen to the ground.
• Place the galls in a bucket of warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap.
• Let them soak for about 15-20 minutes.
• This will help loosen dirt and dislodge any insects hiding inside.
• After soaking, gently scrub the galls with an old toothbrush or sponge to remove debris. Use caution, as some oak galls can be fragile.
• Rinse them well under clean water, then pat dry with a towel.

3. Disinfect oak galls:

• To disinfect and ensure no larvae or mold spores remain, place the cleaned galls on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
• Bake them in a preheated 200°F (93°C) oven for 30-60 minutes to eliminate any remaining pests and bacteria.
• Watch them closely, turning them every 15 to 20 minutes to prevent burning or cracking.
• Take them out if they start burning.
• Let them cool for several hours before painting or using them for other projects.
• Alternatively, if you prefer not to use heat, soak the galls in a solution of one part vinegar to four parts water for several hours. This can also help remove bacteria and pests. Just make sure to dry them thoroughly before crafting with them.

4. Paint oak apples:

• Once cool or dry, the oak galls are ready for use.
• Squirt red acrylic paint into a small bowl or another container.
• Invite your child to use a paintbrush and/or small tongs to roll it around in the paint until all surfaces are covered.
• We tried both. My daughter found tongs easier to use for this step.
• Let the painted oak apples dry before proceeding to the next step.

5. Add a leaf and a stem to the apple craft:

• Use strong scissors or garden shears to trim twigs into 1- to 2-inch pieces. You will need one small twig to create the stem for each apple.
• Cut one or two apple leaves for each apple craft from felt or green construction paper.
• Attach the twig and one or two leaves to each oak apple with hot glue or craft glue to complete the craft.

6. (Optional) Seal and protect the apple craft:

• Paint the exterior of the oak apples with Mod Podge or a sealant, or use spray varnish to seal and protect the apple craft.

Oak Apple Nature Craft

Add a rustic touch to your fall DIY home decor with these apple nature crafts for kids made with real oak balls.

Once finished, these cute little oak apples look great sitting in bowls or baskets. They also make a simple display item you can place on a nature table and are a great addition to a homeschool apple unit study or a visit to an apple orchard.

Don’t forget to check out our collection of nature crafts and nature art activities that use natural materials, and our fall bucket list filled with fun fall activities for the best autumn ever!

More Apple Crafts and Fall Activities for Kids

• Apple Tree Craft for Kids
• Top 10 Fall Nature Crafts
• Apple Orchard Field Trip Ideas
• The Best Autumn Art Ideas for Kids
• Button Apple Tree Beginner Sewing Project
• Signs of Autumn Fall Scavenger Hunt for Kids
• Apple Pie Oatmeal Recipe