Stuck inside? Try these fun fall crafts for kids of all ages.

Looking for indoor activities for kids to keep them busy this fall? Try some (or all) of these seasonal projects you can do inside or out when the weather is just right. Whether they’re into pumpkins, monsters or the fun colors of changing leaves, these fall crafts for kids are sure to keep them happy.

Don’t “leaf” them to their own devices

• Suncatchers – Don’t fret about overcast fall days. These leafy suncatchers can add some color. Cut leaf patterns out of coffee filters and dye them before affixing them to your windows or help the kiddos press their favorite leaves between contact paper for a stained-glass effect.
• Pressed-leaf bookmark – Start this one early in the fall by collecting leaves or small flowers. Press them in a large book, then use stock paper and contact paper to make personalized autumn bookmarks.
• Leaf rubbings – No special equipment needed here. Grab some paper, crayons and interesting leaves and make a rubbing. You might also do a leaf print with paint. For an extra educational component, research the leaf and the tree it came from with your child.
• Q-tip tree – Bring fall foliage inside by helping your little one paint a tree. Simply grab some paint – reds, oranges, yellows and browns, of course – and dab on the “leaves” with the end of the Q-tip.

Get to the (apple) core of the fun

• Apple banners – It’s time to break out the paint again. Cut an apple in half for your youngster, then let them use the cut side as a stamp. Don’t forget to cut up another apple for a healthy fall snack.
• Pumpkin-shaped stamps – Follow the same steps above, but opt for orange paint instead. Add a face with googly eyes and a green stem for the cutest little apple/pumpkins ever.
• Felt pencil topper – Part fall fun, part back-to-school. Try these DIY pencil toppers with your child. Who knows? It might be the perfect pick-me-up if school days have them down or you’re struggling with homework.

Carve out some family time with your little pumpkins

• Melted crayon pumpkins – Skip the carving and painting and try this colorful pumpkin hack instead. Use up the last of the crayon stubs by melting them on top of the pumpkin and letting the colors drip down the sides. We especially like this on a white pumpkin so the colors really stand out.
• Seed art – Save the seeds when you carve pumpkins. After they dry out, paint the seeds and use them to create all kinds of art. Your kiddos can glue them to paper in various designs, as the leaves for a tree or in letters to practice the alphabet.
• Geoboard – We bet your kids won’t even know they’re learning with this DIY pumpkin geoboard. The exact supplies depend on their age, but in the end, you’re looking for a pumpkin stuck full of push pins, golf tees or other pegs. When they connect the pegs with rubber bands and string, they’ll be learning motor skills, geometric shapes and generally flexing their creative muscle.
• Dog treats – Have a furry “kid,” too? They probably won’t be able to help you bake these dog-friendly pumpkin treats, but they’ll certainly appreciate your effort.

Plant a seed for creativity

• Pinecone wreath – Collect pinecones and acorns and affix them to a store-bought wreath form. Hot glue works best, so either provide plenty of supervision or save this project for older crafters. Add some color by mixing in leaves and other fall plants and ribbon.
• Forest friends – There’s seemingly no end to the number of critters your child can create using a pinecone as the base. Try rabbits and hedgehogs, owls and turkeys. Extra credit if they make a whole forest scene like the autumnal version of a nativity.
• Birdfeeder – We at Schlage remember this classic from our own childhoods. Slather a pinecone – big ones work best – with peanut butter and roll it in bird seed. Hang it from a tree and get ready to play eye-spy with the neighborhood’s feathered friends...and probably a few squirrels.

Scare up some monster crafts for fall

• Paper bag puppets – Keep your kids busy this fall with these paper bag monster puppets. Not only will they be occupied painting and pasting the bags in the first place, but you could get some extra entertainment by having them plan and perform a puppet show at the end.
• Cheesecloth ghosts – Here’s another classic. Help your kids make their own Casper using cheesecloth, fabric stiffener and glue. They can stand on their own as a centerpiece or hang them under the porch for some front door Halloween décor.
• Tell monster stories – Encourage your kids to spin an autumnal yarn by having them write or tell stories. Monster and ghost tales are great for fall. You can also prompt them with something less spooky and have them tell you about the adventures of some woodland creatures. See if they’d like to draw pictures to illustrate the stories they tell.