Fall Art Projects: Autumn Arts, Crafts, and Painting Ideas

Get creative with this impressive list of fall art projects for kids. These autumn-themed art project activities, fall painting ideas, and crafts for children are perfect for a fall art lesson at home or in the classroom.

Here’s a great list of fall art projects, complete with step-by-step lesson plans, including easy fall painting ideas and fun fall arts and crafts to try with children, from toddlers to teens. Even adults will enjoy many of the autumn art activities included in this informative guide. This helpful round-up of fall art ideas will leave you feeling creative, artistic, and excited about the colors of autumn and everything that fall has to offer. With the creative projects below, you’ll have a chance to create fall leaves art, fall tree art, pumpkin art, apple art, and more easy fall crafts that make learning about this transformative season fun. You might also enjoy this list of Winter Art Projects for Kids with more enjoyable seasonal ideas.

The fall arts and crafts lists below are a great way to help toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarteners, and elementary school-aged kids explore their creativity in an art class, at home, or at school. I hope you enjoy getting creative with this fun list of autumn art projects for kids during this beautiful season of transformation. Please scroll down to view the autumn-themed art project and painting ideas, or explore this bucket list filled with even more fun fall crafts and autumn activities for kids and adults.

Fall Painting Ideas and Autumn Art Projects for Kids:

Creating art in the fall is an excellent way for children and adults to experience the beautiful colors that make autumn a magical time of year. Fall, also known as autumn, is a season filled with symbolic meaning. It marks the transition from the bright, lively days of summer to the quiet calm of winter. It is a time of change that encourages self-reflection and urges us to accept both the visible and hidden transformations happening around us and within ourselves.

As trees shed their leaves and fall, it gently reminds us that letting go can be beautiful and essential for renewal. The vibrant colors of fall — golden yellows, deep oranges, warm browns, and rich burgundies — evoke a sense of calm and inspire feelings of warmth, comfort, and introspection. Using these warm autumn hues in paintings and various fall art projects offers a way to express the fleeting nature of life.

Traditionally, autumn is the season of harvest and a time to reap what has been sown. It symbolizes abundance, gratitude, and reflection on what we’ve gained or accomplished over the year. Whether you’re painting a fall landscape with warm colors, creating prints with apples, or crafting pumpkin art, you participate in a seasonal tradition that celebrates nature and the cycles of life. Invite kids from toddlers to teens to create fall-themed art with this fantastic collection of autumn art ideas. You can also use this excellent list of ideas to make fall nature crafts.

Beautiful Fall Art Activities for All Ages:

If you’re wondering how to make autumn art, there are several excellent fall artwork and painting ideas to try in the following sections. With the autumn-themed art projects below, children can develop their fine motor skills using a paintbrush and learn more about various techniques, including painting, printmaking, and working with watercolors.

Each fall art project idea featured is put into a specific autumn art category–so you can easily find the type of fall art idea you would like to create. Below are several lists of easy fall art and painting ideas, including fall leaves and autumn trees, pumpkins, apples, scarecrows, and owls, utilizing various art processes. You might also enjoy learning about the fall equinox.

Fall Leaves Art Projects: Arts and Crafts with Autumn Leaves:

These fall leaf arts and crafts are perfect for creating autumn art at home or in the classroom. Painting fall leaves with autumn colors is a classic fall art activity that appeals to both kids and adults. Another fun idea is making fall-themed nature mandalas with autumn leaves and other natural treasures.

Create autumn-themed art with the fabulous fall leaf painting ideas below. Young and old alike will enjoy painting autumn leaf art with these fun activities. Grab your favorite art supplies for kids, and invite children from toddlers to teens to try any fall leaf art projects and painting ideas from either of the lists below. You might also enjoy crafting gorgeous autumn leaves with marbled clay.

Autumn Leaf Art Prompt:

• Can you draw the other half of a leaf?
• Challenge kids to draw the missing half of a leaf at home or in the classroom with this simple art prompt from Adventure in a Box.

Autumn Leaf Art Project: How to Draw a Leaf and Color It with Chalk Pastels:

• Here’s a fun and easy fall leaf drawing activity for kids and adults alike:
• Encourage children or adults at home or in the classroom to carefully observe a leaf, draw the details they see, and add color with chalk pastels with this fall leaf process art tutorial by The Artful Parent.

Easy Fall Leaves Watercolor Art Project:

• Here’s a simple watercolor-resist painting art technique that teaches you how to create a gorgeous array of colorful fall leaves (Oak, Beech, and Maple) with a contrasting black outline, making each leaf pop with color, as shown in the photograph below.
• Get step-by-step instructions and printable leaf art templates for this fall painting activity on Rhythms of Play.

How to Paint Fall Leaves with Watercolors:

• Have you ever painted a leaf with watercolors?
• Learn how to paint autumn leaves with watercolors (without a printable template) with the step-by-step autumn leaf watercolor art tutorial on Watercolor Affair.

Crazy Watercolor Leaf Art:

• Here’s an easy, step-by-step leaf pattern drawing for kids:
• Invite children or students to use crayons and paints to create this fun fall art project, complete with step-by-step instructions on the Art Projects for Kids Blog.

Handprint Leaf Art:

• Teach your children or students how to make a handprint that looks like an autumn leaf with this cute fall handprint idea from Fun Handprint Art.

Easy Marbled Fall Leaves Craft Project:

• Marbling is a classic art activity that makes mixing colors for autumn leaf crafts easy and enjoyable. Follow the steps below to make marbled autumn leaves:
  1. Cut paper leaf shapes.
  2. Spray shaving cream into a plastic container, a glass baking dish, a tray, or a pan.
  3. Add paint in the colors of your choice on top of the shaving cream.
  4. Swirl the paint into the shaving cream using a chopstick or a toothpick.
  5. Next, press the fall leaf cutouts into the paint-swirled shaving cream.
  6. Use a piece of cardboard to scrape the paint and shaving cream off the leaf, revealing gorgeous swirls of color.
  7. See the easy fall leaf craft tutorial on I Heart Arts and Crafts for more details.

Marbled Clay Autumn Leaves:

• Learn how to make marbled fall leaf crafts with clay with the step-by-step tutorial on Rhythms of Play.
• These simple autumn leaf crafts make gorgeous fall home decor and can also be used as ornaments on a thankful or gratitude tree.

Pointillism Fall Leaf Art:

• Discover how to apply the pointillism painting technique to create autumn leaves with tiny points or dots with this creative fall painting idea from The Pinterested Parent.

Fall Leaf Bean Mosaic:

• Here’s a simple bean mosaic craft you can make in your favorite autumn colors or any color you choose.
• This fun project is great for improving fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
• Get step-by-step bean mosaic art instructions on how to make a fall leaf on CraftWhack.

Fall Leaf Potato Stamping:

• Draw a simple tree to decorate with potato-stamped leaves.
• Or create stamped autumn leaves all over the page to look like they are falling from the sky with the easy painting tutorial on How Wee Learn.

Scratch Art Fall Leaf Crafts:

• Write words of gratitude or inspiration on them, or create seasonal doodles on Scratch Art Leaves.
• These easy leaf crafts also make great ornaments for a thankful tree.
  • Gratitude crafts like these align with the fall themes of harvest and thankfulness, helping artists reflect on personal growth and reap the “fruits” of the year.

Art With Fall Leaves: Making Autumn Art with Real Leaves:

Each of the art projects below uses real leaves to create autumn-themed art. Create gorgeous autumn artwork with fresh or preserved fall leaves with these easy art and craft ideas. For more fall art and craft ideas to make with real autumn leaves, look at these fun Fall Nature Crafts for kids and adults!

How to Preserve Autumn Leaves for Arts and Crafts:

• Learn how to press and preserve fall leaves for DIY fall home decor and to make autumn arts and crafts with the step-by-step tutorial on Rhythms of Play.
• Step-by-step instructions include links to several leaf preservation techniques from which you can choose.

How to Make Leaf Rubbing Art:

Leaf rubbing is a classic art activity that appeals to both kids and adults. Follow the simple steps below to make leaf rubbings:

• Gather several different types of leaves. Find fresh or fallen leaves with various shapes and textures to give children plenty of options. 
• Place a leaf on a tabletop or another work surface.
• Position a piece of thin or lightweight paper over the leaf. 
• Gently rub the long side of a block or stick crayon (with paper removed) over the leaf to see its textures appear on the paper.
  • The primary idea is to rub the crayon over the paper to see the veins, features, and textures of the leaves show up on the paper.
  • Slow, gentle strokes generally produce better results than fast, hard rubbing.
  • Encourage artists of all ages to experiment and have fun. 
• Continue to rub the crayon over the leaf until the entire shape is revealed on the paper.
• Remove the leaf from under the paper. 
• Leave it as is to create a single leaf rubbing, or place another leaf under the paper and continue with the same color, a complementary color, or a contrasting color. 
  • In other words, you can leave the leaf rubbing as is or place another leaf under the paper to keep making leaf rubbings with a gorgeous array of overlapping patterns, textures, and colors. 
• Continue to place leaves under the paper and rub with a crayon or pastel until the leaf rubbing art is complete.
• Learn another way to make leaf rubbings with the art tutorial on 100 Directions.
• Read more about leaf rubbing art and science ideas for kids on Edventures with Kids.

Crayon Resist Leaf Rubbing Art:

• Have you ever made leaf rubbings like those above? This simple leaf art project offers a fresh twist on an old favorite, yielding gorgeous results!
  • First, make leaf rubbings with a white crayon on heavyweight art paper or bright white cardstock.
  • Then, paint over the leaf rubbings with watercolor paints in fall colors or any color you desire.
  • You can get the complete step-by-step instructions for making fall leaf art with watercolors and leaf rubbings on “Kitchen Table Classroom.”

Black Crayon and Watercolor Fall Leaf Art:

• Here’s another creative twist on good old-fashioned leaf rubbings that creates leaf art with a contrasting black outline and features:
  • First, collect a varied assortment of leaves.
  • Next, use a black crayon to create leaf rubbings.
  • Finally, paint the leaf rubbings with watercolor paint for dramatic results.
  • Read the complete directions for black crayon and watercolor art on Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls.

Painting Leaves Process Art Activity Ideas:

1. Gather and collect leaves.
2. Put the collected leaves on a table or another work surface with tempera or acrylic paints.
3. Next, invite children or adults to paint autumn leaves with different colors, patterns, dots, stripes, simple designs, and doodles with this fun fall process art activity from Simple Fun for Kids.
4. Or, try this invitation to create fall leaves arts and crafts with paint and googly eyes from Rhythms of Play for Pre-K Pages.

Lost Color or Negative Autumn Leaf Painting:

1. First, position several leaves of different sizes and shapes on the painting paper or canvas.
2. Then, begin painting around each leaf, adding other colors and tones as you work around each autumn leaf.
3. Finally, remove the leaves to reveal a collage of white, negative, lost-color leaf silhouettes. Read the full tutorial on Arty Crafty Kids.

How to Make Fall Leaf Prints:

1. Paint fall leaves with various acrylic or tempera paint colors. You can use autumn colors or any color you desire.
2. Once the leaf is painted, create autumn leaf prints using the painted leaves. To do so, turn the leaf over on the paper and gently press the entire surface area of the leaf down onto the paper to create a leaf print.
3. Pull the autumn leaf away slowly to reveal the gorgeous fall leaf print you have created.
   • Get step-by-step directions for this autumn leaf painting idea on Meaningful Mama.
   • Or make leaf prints in the shape of a mandala with the art tutorial on The Craft Train.

Watercolor and Fall Leaf Art for Kids:

• Make art with watercolor paint and fresh or preserved autumn leaves with these creative process art activity ideas:
  • Build a leaf baby or person with this cute autumn art project from Rhythms of Play.
  • With this watercolor and autumn leaf art project idea, you can create fall leaf art that looks like fish swimming in the sea.
  • Or, make leaf art that looks like flowers or an orchard of autumn trees with the directions on Rhythms of Play.

Leaf Watercolor Resist Art:

• Here’s a simple twist on watercolor resist art: Use real leaves instead of an art template to create gorgeous fall artwork with the steps below:
  • Collect leaves.
  • Trace gathered autumn leaves with glue.
  • Allow the glue to dry.
  • Paint over or inside the glue leaf outlines with watercolor paint.
  • Get the full tutorial for this fall art project on I Can Teach My Child

Fall Leaf Turkey Art and Craft Activity Ideas:

• Discover how to create Thanksgiving turkey crafts using fresh, fallen leaves with the leaf art project ideas on Rhythms of Play.

Autumn Leaf Lacing Art:

• Teach children how to sew with homemade lacing cards made from sturdy fall leaves using this fun fall craft activity idea from Rhythms of Play.

Gorgeous Fall Tree Art Ideas for Kids:

Invite children from toddlers to teens to paint a gorgeous autumn tree with the list of fall painting ideas below.

Fall Tree Arts and Crafts

Painting fall trees is a classic autumn-themed art idea, and so is making beautiful autumn tree crafts. These fall art projects offer an excellent opportunity for children to explore how trees transition from summer to fall. Invite children of all ages to get creative with the easy fall tree art projects, crafts, and painting ideas below. Or, create a fall thankful tree for Thanksgiving to inspire feelings of gratitude with any of THESE fun DIY autumn decor ideas!

• Easy Fall Tree Art Collage | Rhythms of Play
• Button Apple Tree Craft | Rhythms of Play
• Bundled Q-Tip Autumn Tree | The Pinterested Parent
• Coffee Filter Fall Trees | Art Projects for Kids
• Thankful Tree with Colorful Gratitude Leaves | Rhythms of Play
• Foil Printed Fall Tree Art | Play, Teach, Repeat
• How to draw a fall tree | Art Projects for Kids Blog
• Autumn Tree Painting with Cotton Balls | Projects with Kids Blog
• Magazine Fall Tree Craft | I Heart Crafty Things
• Bark and Paint Swatch Autumn Tree | Happy Hooligans
• Black Glue Autumn Tree Art | Arty Crafty Kids
• Fall Tree Art Using Colorful Pumpkin Seeds | Fun-A-Day
• Bubble Wrap Fall Tree Craft | Arty Crafty Kids
• Toilet Roll Stamped Fall Tree Craft | Crafty Morning
• Fall Tree Paper Craft | I Heart Crafty Things
• Cork Printed Autumn Tree | Rainy Day Mum
• Thankful
• Four Seasons Hand and Fingerprint Tree — Use our Four Seasons art project tutorial to make a handprint tree with all four seasons. Alternatively, use the instructions to create a fall handprint and fingerprint tree using vibrant autumn colors on a single canvas, rather than the four separate canvases shown in the photo below.

Pumpkin Art Projects

Here’s a list of pumpkin art projects and painting ideas that kids will love. Who doesn’t love decorating pumpkins in the fall? Try the pumpkin art ideas from either of the lists below. Or, try the pumpkin crafts in our round-up of autumn nature crafts.

Pumpkin Arts and Crafts for Kids

Invite kids to try pumpkin art and craft ideas from the list below at home or in the classroom. You might also enjoy learning how to craft a giant spider web!

• Harvest Pumpkin Watercolor Art | Rhythms of Play
• Halloween Pumpkin Salt Painting | Rhythms of Play
• Pumpkin Still Life Art Project for Kids | Buggy and Buddy
• Glue Resist Pumpkins | Mum in the Madhouse
• Apple Pumpkin Stamping with Apples | Frugal Mom Eh!
• Mixed Media Pumpkin Art Project for Fall | Real Life at Home
• Pumpkin Art Project | Inner Child Fun
• How to Paint a Pumpkin with Acrylics | Pamela Groppe Art
• How to Draw a Pumpkin | Art Projects for Kids Blog
• Pumpkin Craft Suncatcher Silhouettes | Fun Littles
• Crayon Rubbing Pumpkin Patch Craft | I Heart Crafty Things
• Balloon Printed Pumpkin Patch Art | I Heart Crafty Things
• Knuckle Handprint Pumpkin Patch Art | I Heart Crafty Things
• Black Glue Pumpkin Art Project | I Heart Crafty Things
• Textured Pumpkins Fall Art for Kids | Buggy and Buddy
• Button Pumpkin Art Collage | Adventure in a Box

Halloween Art Projects for Kids

Here’s a round-up of some spooky and not-so-spooky Halloween art ideas. These fun Halloween art projects and painting ideas feature pumpkins, bats, cats, witches, monsters, spider webs, and more! See them here: Halloween Art Projects for Kids.

Apple Art Projects and Apple Crafts for Kids

Creating apple arts and crafts in the fall is another classic autumn-themed art activity. Pair any apple art projects and painting ideas from the lists below with a field trip to an apple orchard for a fantastic educational activity for kids this autumn.

Easy Apple Art Ideas for Kids

Here’s a list of apple art projects and painting ideas for kids to try at home or in the classroom.

• Apple Print Stamping Art Hack | Teaching 2 and 3-Year-Olds
• Bubble Wrap Painted Apples | Somewhat Simple
• Apple Stamped Apple Tree | Crafty Morning
• Marble Painting Apple Art | Typically Simple for The Crafting Chicks
• Apple Stamping Craft for Kids | Premeditated Leftovers
• Fizzing Apple Art Project & Apple Garland | Fun Littles
• Apple Print Art Bunting Project | The Artful Parent
• Sponge Painted Apple Art for Kids | The Resourceful Mama

Apple Craft Ideas for Kids

Invite children from toddlers to teens to try the fun apple crafts listed below. Apple arts and crafts make great teacher gift ideas. Look at this list of homemade gift ideas kids can make for even more ideas!

• Button Apple Tree Craft | Rhythms of Play
• Paper Plate Yarn Weaving Apple Crafts | Non-Toy Gifts
• Yarn Apple Craft | Hands-on as We Grow
• Paper Apple Weaving Crafts | Arty Crafty Kids
• Contrasting Color Paper Weaving Apple Craft | School Time Snippets
• Tissue Paper and Sugar Glue Apple Crafts | Kids Activities Blog
• Paper Plate Apple Lacing Craft | Kids Craft Room
• Yarn Apple Garland | The Best Ideas for Kids Blog
• Apple Pom Pom Keychain | Red Ted Art
• Paper Roll Apple Core Craft | Non-Toy Gifts
• Oak Apple Craft for Kids | Rhythms of Play
• How to Sew a Button Apple Tree | Rhythms of Play

Related: Apple Orchard Field Trip: Activities and Craft Ideas

Miscellaneous Autumn Art Ideas

Here are a few more fun fall-themed art ideas for kids and adults! You might also enjoy our fall bucket list of autumn activities for kids and adults.

Owl, Corn, and Scarecrow Art Projects

Invite kids to paint an owl, a cute ear of corn, or a friendly scarecrow with the autumn art ideas below. Or, try this cute Stone and Shell Owl Craft.

• Black Glue Autumn Maize Corn Art | Sunshine Whisperers
• How to Draw a Scarecrow  | Art Projects for Kids
• Black Glue Scarecrow Puppet | The Pinterested Parent
• Beautiful Autumn Owl Black Glue Art | Artsy Momma

Fall Painting Ideas for Children in the Classroom and at Home

This accessible collection of fall art projects and fall painting ideas for children will keep the kids busy getting creative throughout the autumn.

For more fall art and craft ideas, please visit this collection of autumn nature crafts for inspiration and project ideas.

You might also enjoy this list of fun fall activities with a printable bucket list.

Learn more about Nell Regan Kartychok, author of this round-up of fall arts, crafts, and painting ideas HERE, and Rhythms of Play HERE!

More Art Projects for Kids

• Winter Art Projects for Kids
• Flower Art Ideas for Kids
• Rainbow Art Projects (and Rainbow Crafts, Too!)
• Best Fingerprint Art Ideas
• Halloween Art Projects
• Christmas Art Projects for Kids
• Valentine’s Day Arts and Crafts
• Heart Art Projects

If You Liked Autumn Painting Ideas, You May Also Like:

• Fall Books for Kids: Autumn Stories Children LOVE!
• DIY Acorn Marble Necklaces
• Turkey Leaf Lanterns
• How to Paint Rocks: Rock Painting Ideas for Kids
• Four Seasons Handprint and Fingerprint Tree Art