Inspired by all the beautiful colors of Autumn, we made this rainbow using paper painted with nature - leaves and pinecones. Such a fun process art project!

Start with:

• Cardstock
• Paint
• 1 inch Paper Punch
• Glue
• Cardboard
• Scissors
• Leaves and Pinecones

Create it!:

Step 1: Select a variety of leaves and pinecones to use for painting the cardstock.

Step 2: Use the leaves and pinecones as paintbrushes to paint the cardstock. Allow it to dry.

Step 3: Punch holes (recommended for adults) into the painted cardstock.

Step 4: Arrange and glue the painted circles in a rainbow pattern with rows of red, orange and yellow on cardboard.

Step 5: Cut the cardboard into a rainbow shape.

Such a fun process - a nature find, painting with pinecones and leaves and using the patterns to create a unique rainbow!

Hands down, corn mazes are one of our favorite family activities in the Autumn! We also really like eating corn on the cob in the summer so as we transition from Summer to Autumn, we made this fun cardboard weaving corn craft.

Start with:

• Cardboard
• Paint
• Paintbrush
• Scissors
• Glue
• Embroidery Thread or Yarn
• Plastic Eyes
• Yellow Shredded Paper

Create it!

Step 1: Cut corn cob shape from cardboard. Paint yellow and allow it to dry.

Step 2: Paint cardboard green and allow it to dry. Set aside to use for husks.

Step 3: Cut small slits on the top and bottom of each ear of corn.

Step 4: Wind embroidery thread in vertical rows.

Step 5: Cut small slits on each side of the cardboard corn. Wind embroidery thread horizontally on corn cob. Tie thread in back when finished.

Step 6: Cut corn husk shapes from cardboard. 

Step 7: Glue corn husk shapes to each ear of corn.

Step 8: Add plastic eyes and shredded paper for corn silk - just for fun!

Have you ever made a paper chain for a countdown to a special day? This jellyfish incorporates a traditional paper chain - just several chains - as the tentacles. Using seven rings to make each tentacle would be a fun way to discuss seven days making a week!

Start with:

• Cardstock in Various Colors
• Paint
• Paintbrush
• Scissors
• Glue

Create it!

Step 1: Cut the shape for the jellyfish from cardstock. We used white and painted it pink. Allow it to dry.

Step 2: Cut eyes from cardstock and glue them to the body of the jellyfish.

Step 3: Cut two circles for cheeks from cardstock and glue to the jellyfish.

Step 4: Cut strips from cardstock.

Step 5: Glue the ends of a cardstock strip together to form a ring. Place one strip inside the ring and glue the ends together to create a paper chain.

Step 6: Continue adding to paper chain until desired length. Make the last ring slightly smaller, leaving a tab at the end to attach to the jellyfish body.

Step 7: Glue the paper chain to the bottom of the jellyfish body. Continue with additional chains until complete.

A variety of materials could work for this craft. A paper plate for the body or even cardboard. Construction paper is a fantastic substitute for the cardstock used for the paper chains too!

It's Autumn - bring on all the apples, leaves changing colors and cozy sweaters! While apple stamping is nothing new, it is such  a fun Fall activity - especially if you've picked your own apples - and we combined it with some recycled materials for this sweet Apple Stamp Artwork.

Start with:

• Apple, cut in half
• Cardboard
• Paper Plate
• Colored Cardstock or Painted Paper Plate
• Twine
• Baker's Twine
• Handle from a Paper Grocery Bag
• Glue
• Paint
• Paintbrush
• Single Hole Paper Punch

Create it!

Step 1: Paint a rectangle piece of cardboard and allow it to dry. (We used one of the flaps from a cardboard box for the rectangle.)

Step 2: Squeeze paint onto a paper plate.

Step 3: Dip the apple half in the paint and stamp the apple shape to the cardboard rectangle. Allow the stamped apples to dry.

Step 4: Straighten out the paper bag handle and glue it to the top border of the cardboard rectangle.

Step 5: Cut apple stems from twine and leaves from green cardstock or a paper plate that has been painted green.

Step 6: Glue the stems and leaves to the stamped apples.

Step 7: Punch a hole on each end of the paper bag handle.

Step 8: Cut a piece of bakers twine (regular twine, string or even yarn would work great too) and secure the ends to each of the punched holes.

So fun to make something to decorate for the season or to give to someone special to brighten their day!