Autumn, autumn, autumn is here! And that means lots of autumn crafting fun with chestnuts, colorful leaves, and more for you and your little explorer. Because what could be better than cozying up at home and getting creative? To show your child what makes this season so colorful and special, you can craft with natural materials. The best thing about our craft ideas is that they put both young and old in an autumn mood and provide lots of fun. So, grab your craft scissors, and let's go!

Crafting with Chestnuts

It's a tradition to craft with chestnuts in autumn. Whether it's funny chestnut animals or colorfully decorated chestnut men – there are no limits to your little explorer’s creativity. Chestnut crafting becomes especially enjoyable when you gather your materials together beforehand. Chestnut gathering is usually possible between September and November. And while you're at it, you can also collect some acorns to make your chestnut men even more lively.

For the chestnut animals and chestnut men, you need:

• Chestnuts and acorns

• Hand drill or metal spike

• Toothpicks

• Optional: a hot glue gun or craft glue

• Optional for decoration: wiggly eyes, yarn, markers, or other paint

Here's how:

1. Use the hand drill or a metal skewer first to make holes in the chestnuts so you can stack them later. Chestnuts that are meant to stand on the ground for your chestnut man or chestnut animal should be placed flat-side down for stability.

2. Shorten the toothpick to the length you need . A giraffe’s neck should, for example, be longer than the connecting segments of a caterpillar.

3. Now secure the toothpicks in the pre-drilled holes. If the wooden sticks slide out, you can optionally attach them with hot glue or craft glue .

4. Once your chestnut figure or chestnut animal is standing, you can decorate it with pens and other craft supplies . How about a funny face, or yarn you can stick on as hair? Let your creativity run free!

Leaf printing

Colorful leaves as far as the eye can see – that's the beauty of autumn. But why only admire autumn leaves when you can craft with them? Leaf printing is a great way to show your child different leaves and explain which tree they come from . Collect different leaves during your next autumn walk, pick them up for crafting, and take them home. Then the crafting fun can begin!

For the leaf printing, you need:

• Autumn leaves in various sizes and shapes

• Paper or cardboard for printing

• Brushes

• Watercolor, finger paint, etc.

• A sheet of paper in case your little explorer draws over the edge

Here's how:

1. Lay the leaves with the veins facing up , because that’s the best way to capture the beautiful pattern.

2. Paint the leaves with colors of your choice. Whether monochrome or multicolored – have fun!

3. Now turn the painted leaf over and press it onto the paper or cardboard. Make sure your little explorer presses the autumn leaf only briefly so the print doesn’t smudge.

4. Let your leaf print dry . Particularly beautiful prints can, for example, be framed or cut out and used as autumn window decorations.

Making hedgehogs with leaves

In autumn, hedgehogs scurry through colorful leaves as they search for their winter quarters. At home, you and your little explorer can also create an autumn outfit for a hedgehog . This leaf craft is quick to make and also doubles as autumn décor for your home.

For the leaf rake, you need:

• Cardstock or photo paper

• Dried or pressed autumn leaves in bright colors

• Craft scissors

• Craft glue

• Pens

• Optional additional craft supplies, such as googly eyes

Here's how:

1. Collect various autumn leaves and let them dry at home . To make them last even longer, you can also press them. To do this, place the leaves in a heavy book or between two kitchen towels and weigh them down.

2. Draw the outline of a hedgehog on colored paper or cardboard, then cut out the animal.

3. Give the hedgehog a cute face with pens and/or wiggly eyes .

4. Stick the dried autumn leaves layer by layer onto the hedgehog's body. The more colorful, the better!

Coloring pages for autumn

Sometimes the rain just won't stop, leaves and chestnuts are too wet for crafting, and your little explorer just wants to curl up at home. For days like these, we have the perfect activity, because coloring pages for autumn are always a good idea . Equipped with colored pencils in the most beautiful autumn shades, your little explorer will surely enjoy coloring in hedgehogs, leaves, pumpkins, dragons, and mushrooms. Our autumn coloring pages are easy for you to download and print as often as you and your child like:

Our four craft ideas show that autumn doesn’t have to feel gray in every way. We hope the chestnut men, leaf printing, the cute leaf hedgehog, and our coloring pages inspire you to get creative with your little explorer in the coming months. Have fun crafting!