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. This helpful roundup of art ideas will leave you feeling creative, artistic, and excited about autumn colors and everything fall has to offer. Ideas include easy arts and crafts and fall painting projects for children, from toddlers to teens. Adults will also enjoy many of the autumn art activities in this informative guide.

Creating fall arts and crafts lists helps toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarteners, and elementary school-aged kids explore their creativity in an art class, at home, or at school. You might also enjoy this list of Winter Art Projects for Kids with more enjoyable seasonal ideas.

Jump to your favorite fall art ideas:

Each fall art project idea in this guide is grouped into a specific autumn art category so you can easily find the type of artwork you want to create. You can create fall leaves and autumn trees, pumpkins, apples, scarecrows, and owls using a wide variety of art techniques and supplies. Use the jump links to go directly to the type of project you’re looking for:

• Fall leaf art projects
• Art with real autumn leaves
• Fall tree art and painting ideas
• Pumpkin art projects
• Halloween art ideas
• Apple art and crafts
• Owl, corn, and scarecrow art

Get creative with this fun list of autumn art projects for kids during this beautiful season of transformation. Explore this bucket list filled with fun autumn activities for even more ideas.

Fall Painting Ideas and Autumn Art Projects for Kids:

Each art activity offers several painting ideas to show you how to make different types of fall artwork. These autumn-themed art projects help children build fine motor skills by working with a paintbrush and simple art materials.

The wide array of ideas makes it easy to learn techniques like painting, printmaking, mixed media, and watercolor. Easy fall crafts like these make learning about this transformative season fun. Explore these fall nature crafts for more creative ideas.

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

Fall leaf arts and crafts are simple activities you can do at home or in the classroom. Painting fall leaves in autumn colors is a classic art activity that appeals to kids and adults alike. Another fun idea is making fall-themed nature mandalas with autumn leaves and other natural treasures.

Create autumn-themed art with the fabulous leaf painting ideas below. Young and old alike will enjoy painting autumn leaves with these fun activities. Grab your favorite art supplies for kids, and invite toddlers through teens to try the painting ideas 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 to observe a leaf, draw the details they see, and add color with chalk pastels. Find the full instructions for this leaf-drawing tutorial on The Artful Age.

Easy Fall Leaves Watercolor Art Project:

Enjoy this 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 the free 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) in Watercolor Affair’s step-by-step autumn leaf watercolor art tutorial.

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, glass baking dish, tray, or pan.
3. Add paint in your choice of colors 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. Visit 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 using the step-by-step tutorial pictured below 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:

Learn how to use the pointillism painting technique to create autumn leaves with tiny points or dots in this creative fall painting idea from The Pinterested Parent.

Fall Leaf Bean Mosaic:

Make this simple bean mosaic craft in your favorite autumn colors, or any color you choose. This fun project helps improve fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Get step-by-step instructions for making a fall leaf mosaic 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:

Create seasonal doodles on Scratch Art Leaves. Alternatively, you can write words of gratitude or inspiration on them, or do both! These easy leaf crafts make great ornaments for a thankful tree. Gratitude crafts like these align with the fall themes of harvest and thankfulness.

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

Each art project 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 using real autumn leaves, check out these fun Fall Nature Crafts for kids and adults!

Preserve Autumn Leaves for Arts and Crafts:

Learn how to press and preserve fall leaves for DIY fall home decor and autumn arts and crafts with a step-by-step tutorial on Rhythms of Play. Step-by-step instructions include links to several leaf-preservation techniques.

How to Make Leaf Rubbing Art:

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

1. Gather several different types of leaves. Find fresh or fallen leaves with various shapes and textures to give children plenty of options. 
2. Place a leaf on a tabletop or another work surface.
3. Position a piece of thin or lightweight paper over the leaf. 
4. 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. Encourage artists of all ages to experiment and have fun.
5. As you rub the crayon over the paper, the veins, features, and textures of the leaves appear.
6. Slow, gentle strokes generally produce better results than fast, hard rubbing. 
7. Keep rubbing the crayon over the leaf until the entire shape appears on the paper.
8. Remove the leaf from under the paper. 
9. 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, 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. 
10. Keep placing leaves under the paper and rubbing 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 gives an old favorite a fresh twist and yields gorgeous results! Follow these instructions:

1. First, make leaf rubbings on paper with a white crayon.
2. Then, paint over the leaf rubbings with watercolor paints in fall colors or any color you desire.
3. 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 old-fashioned leaf rubbings that creates leaf art with a contrasting black outline and features:

1. First, collect a varied assortment of leaves.
2. Next, use a black crayon to create leaf rubbings.
3. Finally, paint the leaf rubbings with watercolor paint for dramatic results.
4. 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. Place the leaves on a table or other work surface and cover them with tempera or acrylic paint.
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. Alternatively, try this invitation to create fall leaf 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, paint around each leaf, adding other colors and tones as you go.
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. Use autumn colors or any color you like.
2. Once the leaf is painted, create autumn leaf prints with it. To do so, turn the leaf over on the paper and gently press the entire surface area down to create a leaf print.
3. Slowly pull the autumn leaf away to reveal the gorgeous fall leaf print you created.
4. Get step-by-step directions for this autumn leaf painting idea on Meaningful Mama.
5. Or make mandala-shaped leaf prints 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, using the tutorial by 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 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:

• Learn how to create Thanksgiving turkey crafts using fresh, fallen leaves with these leaf art project ideas from 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 using the fall painting ideas below.

Fall Tree Arts and Crafts

Explore autumn’s changing colors with fall tree paintings, collages, and crafts. Invite children to notice the trees around them, then experiment with different ways to create colorful leaves, textured trunks, and branching shapes. From simple stamping to layered paper art, these projects offer ideas for creativity at home and in the classroom.

• 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
• 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
• 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 on a single canvas in vibrant autumn colors, 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 list below. Or, try the pumpkin crafts in our round-up of autumn nature crafts.

Make fall art your own with our Fall Pumpkin Templates: Plain & Harvest Designs. This paid printable pack includes four pumpkin outlines without faces: tall and wide plain pumpkins, plus harvest pumpkins with curling vines and leaves. Use them for coloring, painting, tracing, or collage at home or in the classroom—permission to print copies for all students you personally teach is included.

Pumpkin Arts and Crafts for Kids

Invite kids to try the pumpkin art and craft ideas 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

For a spooky or playful twist on fall art, explore these Halloween art projects. Find pumpkin painting ideas, friendly ghosts, colorful spiderwebs, black cats, witches, monsters, and more for kids and adults. Choose a project for family craft time, a classroom art lesson, or homemade Halloween decorations.

Our Halloween Jack-o’-Lantern Templates in the Rhythms of Play Learning Center include two friendly pumpkin outlines—one tall and one wide—for coloring, painting, tracing, and collage. They make it easy to create Halloween pumpkin art at home or in the classroom. This paid download includes personal and classroom use, so teachers can print copies for all students they teach.

Apple Art Projects and 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 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 Age
• 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. For more ideas, look at this list of homemade gifts kids can make!

• Button Apple Tree Craft (with free printable art template) | Rhythms of Play
• Paper Plate Yarn Weaving Apple Crafts | Non-Toy Gifts
• Yarn Apple Craft | Hands-on 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
• 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

Beautiful Fall Art Activities for All Ages:

Creating fall art 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 rich in symbolism. It marks the transition from summer’s bright, lively days to winter’s quiet calm. 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, 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 calm and inspire warmth, comfort, and introspection. Using these warm autumn hues in paintings and other fall art projects offers a way to express life’s fleeting nature.

Traditionally, autumn is the season of harvest, a time to reap what we’ve sown. It symbolizes abundance, gratitude, and reflection on what we’ve gained or accomplished over the year. Whether you’re painting a fall landscape in warm colors, creating apple prints, or crafting pumpkin art, you’re part of a seasonal tradition that celebrates nature’s life cycle. Invite kids from toddlers to teens to create fall-themed art with the fantastic autumn artwork ideas included here. You might also enjoy learning about the fall equinox.

Fall Painting Ideas for Children in the Classroom and at Home

Use these fall art projects and painting ideas to help kids get creative throughout the autumn season.

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