Okay, let’s be real. You’ve seen the same three basic leaf wreaths and pumpkin centerpieces everywhere. You want your home to feel like that perfect, cozy autumn afternoon—crisp air, warm drinks, and that special glow—but you don’t want your decor to look like a carbon copy of every big-box store display. That’s where this list comes in. We’re going beyond the basics with 29 fall crafts that are actually fun to make, surprisingly simple, and guaranteed to impress. From elegant nature-inspired pieces to silly projects the kids will adore, consider this your ultimate autumn crafting playbook. Ready to get your hands a little messy and your home a lot more festive?
1. Pressed Leaf Lanterns
Capture the fleeting beauty of autumn leaves in a permanent, glowing way. This project is all about preserving those perfect red and gold maple leaves you find on a walk. You’ll need a simple glass jar, Mod Podge, and a soft brush.
Simply brush a thin layer of Mod Podge on the outside of the jar, gently press your dried leaves onto it, and seal them with another layer. Once it dries, pop a battery-operated tea light inside. The result? A magical, flickering lantern that casts the most beautiful leaf-shaped shadows. It’s pure autumn alchemy.
2. Bittersweet Berry Wreath
Move over, plain grapevine. For a wreath with serious texture and a wild, rustic vibe, bittersweet vine is your best friend. You can often forage for it (check local regulations!) or find it at craft stores. The iconic orange berries that split open to reveal a red center are the star.
Just twist and weave the pliable vines into a circle, securing the ends with floral wire. Tuck in extra sprigs of berries and perhaps some dried wheat for fullness. This wreath looks stunning on a front door or above a fireplace, and it brings a piece of the autumn woodland right to your home.
3. “Stained Glass” Leaf Suncatchers
Remember the joy of melted crayon art? This is the sophisticated, fall-themed version. Grab some clear contact paper, a bag of crayons in autumn hues (think burnt orange, crimson, gold), and a grater. Yes, a cheese grater.
Grate the crayons onto a sheet of parchment paper, creating a colorful pile of shavings. Sandwich the shavings between two pieces of contact paper (sticky sides in), cut it into a leaf shape, and use a warm iron (with parchment paper on top to protect it) to gently melt the wax. Hang it in a sunny window and watch the light blaze through.
4. Acorn Top Tea Light Holders
This is the definition of a simple craft with maximum impact. Next time you’re on a walk, collect a bunch of acorn caps. The more, the better. You’ll also need some air-dry clay or hot glue.
Roll small balls of clay and press an acorn cap onto each, creating a stable base. Or, simply glue the caps directly onto a small circular piece of wood. Once set, place a tiny tea light (real or battery-operated) in the center of each cluster. Group them together on a mantel or as a centerpiece for a truly enchanting, fairy-lit glow.
5. Sweater Weather Pumpkins
Who says pumpkins have to be orange? Raid your closet (or a local thrift store) for an old, cozy sweater you don’t wear anymore. You’ll also need some craft pumpkins (foam or real, but foam lasts forever).
Cut a piece of sweater fabric large enough to wrap around your pumpkin. Use Mod Podge or fabric glue to adhere it, smoothing out any wrinkles. Add a twine stem or a bit of felt for the leaf. Suddenly, you have a pumpkin that looks like it belongs in the coziest cabin in the woods. Talk about sweater weather decor!
6. Pinecone Fire Starters
A craft that’s both beautiful and functional? Sign us up. Gather large, dry pinecones. You’ll also need some candle wax (old candle stubs are perfect) and cotton string or the wick from an old candle.
Melt the wax in a double boiler. Dip the pinecone in the wax, let it drip off, then roll it in coarse salt or dried lavender for a pretty effect and a nice scent. Before the wax fully sets, wrap the base of the pinecone with a length of wick. These make amazing gifts and create a lovely, fragrant fire.
7. Book Page Leaf Garlands
Give an old, falling-apart book a beautiful second life. Tear out a bunch of pages (it feels wrong, but trust the process). Find a simple leaf template online and trace it onto the pages, then cut out dozens of paper leaves.
Use a needle and some rustic twine or jute to string the leaves together, spacing them out evenly. Drape this garland across a mantel, a window, or a bookshelf. The creamy, printed pages against the twine create a wonderfully vintage, literary autumn feel.
8. Cinnamon Stick Candles
This craft makes your home smell like a bakery and look like a rustic dream. Get a plain pillar candle (white or ivory works best) and a bag of whole cinnamon sticks. You’ll also need a hot glue gun.
Simply run a line of hot glue down the length of a cinnamon stick and press it vertically onto the candle. Repeat, working your way around, until the candle is completely covered. Tie a piece of twine or burlap ribbon around the middle for the finishing touch. Light it for the ultimate cozy scent—no artificial fragrance needed.
9. Painted Gourd Birdhouses
Those weirdly shaped gourds at the farmer’s market aren’t just for looks. With a little creativity, they become charming homes for your backyard birds. Choose a gourd with a nice, flat side. Clean and dry it thoroughly.
Drill a small entrance hole (research the size for the birds in your area!), and a few tiny drainage holes in the bottom. Paint the gourd with acrylic paints in fun patterns—think simple polka dots, stripes, or even a little cottage scene. Seal it with an outdoor-safe sealant, add a hanging wire, and you’ve created a functional piece of garden art.
10. Felted Wool Acorns
These are almost too cute to handle. You’ll need some wool roving in brown and a neutral color, felting needles, and real acorn caps. This is a fantastic, meditative craft for a quiet afternoon.
Roll a small ball of the brown roving and use the felting needle to poke and shape it into a firm acorn “nut.” Felt a tiny bit of the neutral wool to the top for the lighter tip. Finally, use a dab of strong glue to secure it inside an acorn cap. Scatter them in a bowl or use them to adorn napkin rings. Adorable.
11. Harvest Moon Macrame Wall Hanging
Bring some 70s boho flair to your fall decor. If you know basic macrame knots, this is a stunning project. Use thick, natural cotton cord. Create a circular weaving loom from an embroidery hoop or a bent wire hanger.
Knot your cords around the hoop, creating a “sunburst” or web pattern. Weave in dried grasses, pheasant feathers, or small dried pods for texture. Hang it on a stark wall, and it becomes an instant piece of organic, autumn-inspired art. It’s surprisingly easier than it looks!
12. Mason Jar Autumn Terrariums
A miniature forest in a jar? Yes, please. Start with a clean, large mason jar. Add a layer of small pebbles for drainage, then a layer of activated charcoal (keeps it fresh), and top with potting soil.
Now for the fun part: foraging. Add tiny mosses, a small piece of lichen-covered bark, a few miniature pinecones, and perhaps a single, perfect red leaf. Spritz lightly with water and keep the lid off. It’s a self-contained little autumn ecosystem for your desk or windowsill.
13. Black Cat Silhouette Pumpkins
For a Halloween craft that’s chic, not cheesy, this is your winner. Paint a small pumpkin (real or craft) with matte black paint. Let it dry completely. Find a simple, elegant cat silhouette profile online and print it.
Cut out the silhouette and use it as a stencil. Tape it to your black pumpkin and paint the area inside the stencil with gold or metallic silver paint. Carefully remove the stencil to reveal a sleek, stylish black cat. Group a few together for a modern Halloween vignette.
14. Dried Orange & Clove Garland
The scent of this garland is absolutely divine. Thinly slice oranges (or other citrus) and dry them in a low oven (200°F) for a few hours until they’re leathery, not burnt. Let them cool.
Use a needle and sturdy thread to string the dried orange slices together with whole cloves, cinnamon sticks, and bay leaves. The cloves act as both decoration and fragrant anchors. Hang this in your kitchen or doorway for a continuous hit of spicy-sweet autumn aroma.
15. Corn Husk Dolls
This is a classic folk craft that’s perfect to do with kids. Save the husks from your summer corn, or buy a bag at a craft store. Soak them in warm water to make them pliable.
Bundle and tie the husks to form a head, arms, and body. Let them dry completely, and then use markers, fabric scraps, or even corn silk to give your doll a face and clothes. Each one turns out uniquely charming, a nod to harvest traditions.
16. Fall Leaf Resin Coasters
Preserve the most spectacular leaves you find in a practical, beautiful way. You’ll need a silicone coaster mold, clear epoxy resin, and your perfectly dried, flat leaves. Follow the resin mixing instructions carefully.
Pour a thin layer into the mold, let it set slightly to a tacky state, then arrange your leaves. Pour the remaining resin on top, making sure to cover the leaves completely. Pop any bubbles with a heat gun or your breath. Once cured, you’ll have stunning, glass-like coasters that showcase autumn’s art.
17. Branch & Yarn Dream Catchers
Find a beautifully forked, sturdy branch during your next walk. Clean it off and let it dry. This will be the frame for your autumn dream catcher. Use wool yarn in mustard, rust, or cream to wrap the branch ends and create the web in the center.
Instead of feathers, adorn it with found autumn treasures: a small pinecone, a few acorns, a snippet of bittersweet vine. Hang it in a window to catch the afternoon light and, according to tradition, filter out any bad autumn vibes.
18. Pumpkin Planter Succulents
Take your pumpkin decor to the next level by turning it into a living planter. Choose a medium-sized pumpkin and carefully cut off the top, scooping out all the seeds and pulp just like you would for a jack-o’-lantern.
Fill it partway with potting soil and plant a variety of small succulents or sedums. Their rosette shapes look like beautiful, living flowers. This centerpiece will last for weeks, and when the pumpkin starts to soften, you can just transplant the succulents to a pot!
19. Burlap & Bumble Bee Corn Wreath
Celebrate the harvest with a wreath that’s both rustic and cheerful. Start with a straw wreath form. Wrap it tightly with strips of natural burlap, securing with pins.
Hot glue dried corn husks, mini Indian corn cobs, and faux sunflowers around the wreath. The secret weapon? Add a few adorable faux bumblebees tucked among the flowers. It’s a sunny, happy wreath that lasts from late summer through Thanksgiving.
20. Salt Dough Leaf Impressions
A timeless kid-friendly craft that yields beautiful results. Make a batch of salt dough (1 cup salt, 2 cups flour, 1 cup water). Roll it out and press various leaves into the dough, vein-side down, to make a deep impression.
Cut around the leaf shape with a knife, make a hole for hanging, and bake at a low temperature until hard. Once cool, paint them with metallic or earthy acrylics. These make gorgeous, durable ornaments or gift tags.
21. Upcycled Flannel Blanket Ladder
Need more cozy throws within arm’s reach? Build a simple blanket ladder. You just need three long wooden dowels or branches and two shorter ones for the sides. Assemble it in a classic ladder shape using screws or strong rope.
Sand it smooth and stain or paint it a warm color. Now, drape it with your coziest flannel blankets, chunky knit throws, and even a sweater or two. It’s functional decor that screams “curl up with a book.”
22. Pecan Pie Slice Ornaments
For the crafters who love a touch of whimsy (and pie). Cut wedge shapes from thin craft wood or even stiff felt. Paint them a golden brown “crust” color on the curved edge.
Use a hot glue gun to create the “filling” – a generous, lumpy swirl of brown and clear glue mixed together. Before it dries, press in a few real pecan halves. Add a loop of twine at the top. Hang them on a kitchen wreath or a DIY “pie tree.” Good enough to eat (but don’t).
23. Moss & Twig Initial
Personalize your fall decor in a natural way. Buy or cut out a large wooden letter (your initial) from plywood. Gather preserved sheet moss and an assortment of small, straight twigs.
Use strong craft glue to cover the letter front with moss, pressing firmly. Then, break the twigs into small pieces and glue them along the edges of the letter, creating a rustic frame. Lean it on a mantel or hang it on the wall for a personalized, woodland touch.
24. Candy Corn Ombre Vase
Embrace the iconic candy in a surprisingly elegant way. Find a tall, clear cylindrical vase. You’ll need acrylic paints in white, orange, and yellow.
Paint the inside of the vase in an ombre pattern: solid white at the top, blending to orange in the middle, and yellow at the very bottom. Let each layer dry before starting the next. Once complete, fill it with dried wheat, pampas grass, or even more candy corn for a festive, colorful display.
25. Hedgehog Pinecone Critters
This might be the cutest thing you make all season. Find a pinecone that has a nice, round “body.” Use air-dry clay to form a pointy snout and two little feet, attaching them to the pinecone base.
Once the clay dries, paint on a little black nose and eyes. For an extra touch, glue a single, tiny faux apple or mushroom to its “back.” Display a whole family of them on a bed of moss. Seriously, try not to say “aww.”
26. Autumn Equinox Mandala
Create a temporary piece of land art, or preserve it on a board. This is a mindful, meditative craft. On a flat surface (a tray, a piece of wood, or even the ground), start with a central item like a large pinecone or a beautiful stone.
Radiate outward, symmetrically arranging items you’ve foraged: acorns, leaves of similar size, petals, seeds, feathers. There’s no wrong way. Take a photo to preserve it, or carefully glue it down to a board coated with clear-drying glue to keep it forever.
27. Chalkboard Paint Pumpkins
For the indecisive decorator, this is a game-changer. Paint mini pumpkins (real or faux) with chalkboard paint. It usually takes 2-3 coats for a good, dark finish.
Once dry, the pumpkin becomes your canvas. Use chalk to write funny messages (“Gourd-geous,” “Thankful”), draw patterns, or even sketch