autumn craft activities eyfs

Autumn Craft Activities for EYFS

By Rachel MartinezApril 5, 2026

Autumn, with its crisp air and vibrant colors, is a wonderful time to engage young children in creative activities that stimulate their imagination and learning. Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) educators often incorporate seasonal themes into their curriculum, making autumn craft activities an exciting opportunity to explore various educational concepts. Let's delve into some engaging autumn craft ideas that align with EYFS learning outcomes.

Autumn craft activities offer a wealth of learning opportunities for EYFS children. They encourage fine motor skill development, foster creativity, and promote understanding of the world around them. By incorporating these activities into your teaching plan, you can create a rich, immersive learning experience that children will truly enjoy.

Nature-Inspired Crafts

Autumn is a treasure trove of natural materials that can be used to create beautiful crafts. Encourage children to explore their outdoor environment and collect items such as leaves, twigs, and acorns. This not only promotes a love for nature but also supports the EYFS 'Understanding the World' area of learning.

an advertisement for kids'autumn conker art, with pictures of food in the background

three leaf shaped stickers sitting on top of a brown surface next to some leaves

Here are two nature-inspired craft ideas that EYFS children will love:

Leaf Rubbing Art

Leaf rubbing is a simple yet effective way to create beautiful autumn-inspired art. Provide children with crayons and a selection of leaves. Show them how to place a leaf under a piece of paper and rub the side of the crayon gently over the paper to reveal the leaf's intricate pattern. This activity promotes fine motor skills and encourages children to observe the details of leaves.

children are playing with pumpkins in an orange bowl

To extend this activity, children can create leaf rubbings in different colors and use them to make collages or pictures. They can also sort and compare leaves based on their size, shape, and color, supporting the EYFS 'Mathematics' area of learning.

Twig and Acorn Bird Feeders

Create simple bird feeders using twigs, acorns, and peanut butter. Children can help spread peanut butter onto the twigs and acorns, then roll them in birdseed. This activity promotes fine motor skills and provides an opportunity to discuss the needs of wild birds, supporting the EYFS 'People and Communities' area of learning.

Once the bird feeders are complete, hang them outside and observe the birds that visit. This can lead to further discussions about the different types of birds that live in the local area and their habitats, supporting the 'Understanding the World' area of learning.

a little boy that is standing next to a tree with sticks in front of him

a hedgehog made out of twigs next to some wood slices

several wreaths made out of leaves hang on a gray wall with red and yellow ribbons

children are sitting at a table playing with autumn leaves and other things on the tray

an image of a plate with leaves and seeds on it that says, what is the book?

Autumn Activities for Preschool | Early Years Activities

Autumn-Themed Sensory Play

Sensory play is an essential part of EYFS learning, as it helps children to explore and make sense of the world around them using their senses. Autumn provides many opportunities for sensory play, with its rich colors, textures, and scents.

Here are two autumn-themed sensory play ideas that EYFS children will love:

Autumn Sensory Bin

Create an autumn-themed sensory bin using a large plastic container filled with materials such as dried leaves, acorns, pinecones, and small toys. Encourage children to explore the contents of the bin using their hands or spoons, promoting sensory development and fine motor skills.

a tray with leaves and acorns on it that says, can you make a space?

Toddler Art Projects, Halloween Arts And Crafts, Autumn Activities For Kids, Toddler Arts And Crafts, Créations De Maternelle, Daycare Crafts, Fall Crafts For Kids, Actividades De Arte Para Preescolares, Preschool Art Activities

the pumpkins are made out of paper plates

a bowl of cereal next to a paper cut out of a tree with leaves on it

Fingerprint Fall Tree Craft - Toddler at Play

a hand holding up a paper hedge with autumn leaves on it's head and eyes

two children are painting an autumn tree on paper

four different pictures of grass with eyes and mouth cut out to make them look like they are

several different types of leaves are shown on the paper with holes in them to make faces

DIY Wreath Craft Activity | Nature Craft Ideas for Kids

To extend this activity, provide children with small containers or scoops and ask them to sort the materials by type or color. This supports the EYFS 'Mathematics' area of learning and encourages children to use descriptive language to talk about the materials they are exploring.

Pumpkin Playdough

Make homemade playdough using cooked pumpkin, flour, water, and spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg. The playdough will have a soft, orange texture and a delightful autumn scent. Children can use the playdough to create pumpkins, leaves, and other autumn-inspired shapes, promoting creativity and fine motor skill development.

To extend this activity, provide children with tools such as rolling pins, cutters, and cookie cutters to use with the playdough. This encourages children to experiment with different textures and promotes the development of early math skills as they measure and cut the playdough.

Autumn craft activities offer a wealth of learning opportunities for EYFS children. By incorporating these activities into your teaching plan, you can create a rich, immersive learning experience that children will truly enjoy. So, grab your wellies, step outside, and let the autumn fun begin!