It’s fall! The weather is transitioning and while we’ve gotten creative in our efforts to entertain the kids during the warm months with limited access to swimming pools, block parties, or family reunions, they’re starting to get “stuck” indoors and need something to do.
Whether you’re looking for an alternative to screen time or just feeling in the autumn spirit, here are some simple fall craft and fall activity opportunities to do at home with the kids:
Paper Strip Pumpkin Picture
This kept the kids occupied and created a cute piece of art to hang up a seasonal decoration!
Supplies:
- Cut up strips of plain paper, newspaper, magazines, scrapbooking paper, etc.
- White or construction paper
- Scissors
- Glue/Glue stick
Take two pieces of construction or white paper, set one aside.
Use the other one as your base paper for building the pumpkin. Use the cut up strips and line them up next to each other on the base paper, gluing them down.
Take the paper you set aside and fold it “hamburger” style. Draw and/or cut a ½ pumpkin shape as you would a heart.
Use the frame that comes from the cutting and place it over the base paper. Glue that down on top of the paper strips.
Use a leftover paper strip to create a stump and glue that on the top paper/frame.
Voila! You have a pumpkin!
Caramel Apples on a Stick
The full Carmel apple can be messy and a lot for a kid to tackle and if you’d like an alternative, this worked for our crew:
Supplies:
- Apple slices
- A container of Carmel apple dip
- Sundae toppings (crushed Oreos, sprinkles, mini M&M’s)
- Small bamboo skewers or Popsicle sticks
Each kiddo got some apple slices that I put on a stick, a big glob (technical term) of Carmel on a plate and then I used cupcake liners for the toppings. They were able to create individual Carmel apples with different variations of toppings and flavors.
You can also use a melon baller and toothpicks for even smaller bites!
Pumpkin Carving Hack
Even though Halloween has passed, this works great for “pie” pumpkins. Put a hand mixer blade on a drill. Use that to clean out the innards of your pumpkins. It was an absolute timesaver this year! We did use a spoon for the final cleanup but it was a piece of cake since the “gross stuff” was already pulled from the insides.
Supplies:
- Hand mixer blade
- Drill
- Pumpkins
As we continue to push through a particularly difficult year, continuing our traditions through fall activities have brought our children some sense of normalcy and joy.
Isn’t that really what it’s all about?
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