25 Fall Crafts and Fun Things to Do with Kids in 15 Minutes or Less

 

Hey mama, let’s get real…

Fall is beautiful- the leaves, the pumpkin spice all things, the blanket sweaters. But when you have little ones running around the house screaming they are bored before you get your first sip of coffee… things can go crazy in a hurry.

That’s why I put together this list of 25 fall crafts and fun things to do with kids in 15 minutes or less.

No Pinterest-perfect prep. No mess over load. No-frills, simple, common sense mom-sanity-rescuing stuff your kids will adore… and you will too (because you won have energy to spare). 

You may have toddlers or school-going kids but this is one list that will not fail anyone. These are things you may do with the materials you already find at home. And they are all screen free, since we are all attempting to be less iPad-y, are we not?

Come on, mama, lemme jump. 

Easy Fall Crafts for Kids (Done in 15 Minutes)

These crafts are quick, low-mess, and can be done with stuff you probably already have in the kitchen or junk drawer.

1. Leaf Rubbing Art

Grab some fallen leaves, put a piece of paper over them, and use crayons to rub and reveal the leaf texture. Super pretty — super calming.

2. Toilet Paper Roll Owls

Use markers, googly eyes, and scrap paper to turn toilet rolls into adorable fall owls.

3. Pumpkin Seed Art

If you’re carving pumpkins, save the seeds! Paint them and glue them onto paper in fun fall shapes like apples, leaves, or pumpkins.

4. Paper Plate Scarecrow Faces

Cut up old fabric or paper scraps, and let the kids glue on scarecrow features — eyes, nose, straw hair. Instant giggles!

5. Apple Stamp Painting

Cut an apple in half and dip it in paint and let kids stamp their own apple patches. Bonus: use cinnamon-scented paint for that fall vibe.

Quick Fall Activities for Kids That Don’t Need Much Prep

Because some days we barely have time to pee alone, let alone prep a craft station 

6. Fall Scavenger Hunt

Print a quick list (or make your own!) of things like “red leaf,” “acorn,” “bird,” etc. and go on a 10–15 minute walk with your kiddos.

7. Leaf Jumping Party

Got a yard full of leaves? Rake them into a pile and let your kids go wild. Zero cost, zero effort, max joy.

8. Make Your Own Trail Mix

Lay out a few small bowls of snacks (pretzels, raisins, cereal, etc.) and let your child “build” their own snack mix.

9. Mini Nature Collage

Grab twigs, leaves, and grass from outside and glue them onto cardboard or paper. Fast, creative, and they’ll feel like little artists.

10. Pumpkin Washing Station

Fill a bin with warm water and soap. Hand them a sponge and a mini pumpkin. You’d be surprised how long they’ll be entertained!

15-Minute Crafts for Toddlers and Preschoolers

For the tiny tornadoes who need to be busy right now:

11. Sticker Leaf Trees

Draw a tree trunk, then let them add leaf-shaped stickers as the “fall leaves.”

12. Tear and Glue Fall Collage

Use fall-colored paper (orange, brown, yellow) and let toddlers tear and glue pieces onto a page. Great fine motor skill practice.

13. Cinnamon-Scented Playdough

Simple DIY: incorporate 1 cup of flour, ½ cup of salt, ½ cup water, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Add a dash of food coloring if you want — smells like fall!

14. Pumpkin Faces Game

Cut out shapes (eyes, noses, mouths) and let toddlers build different faces on a paper pumpkin.

15. Pinecone Painting

If you’ve got some pinecones lying around, let them paint them with fall colors. Glitter optional, but always fun 

Outdoor Fall Fun Ideas That Take 15 Minutes

Don’t forget the outdoors! Quick bursts of fresh air = instant mood boost for everyone.

16. Leaf Matching Game

Collect different leaves and challenge your kids to match them by color, size, or shape.

17. Fall Obstacle Course

Hop over pumpkins, crawl under a rake, balance on a stick — just make it silly and quick!

18. Bug Hunt

Produce a magnifying glass and conduct a 10 minutes bug hunt. Toddlers LOVE this.

19. Sidewalk Chalk Leaf Tracing

Lay leaves down on the sidewalk and trace around them with chalk. Looks so pretty when you're done!

20. Backyard Picnic

Snack time? Take it outside. Throw down a blanket, pack apple slices and crackers, and boom — fall picnic vibes.

 Screen-Free Indoor Fun That Still Feels Like Fall

Because sometimes it’s raining, cold, or you just need to stay inside.

21. Fall Story Time

Read a quick fall-themed book like “The Leaf Thief” or “Pumpkin Soup” and talk about the story after.

22. Hot Chocolate Break

Let your kids help “make” the hot cocoa — pouring milk, adding marshmallows. Bonus if you drink it while wearing fuzzy socks 

23. 15-Minute Dance Party

Put on some Halloween or autumn music and have a dance break. Burn off that post-nap energy real quick!

24. Pumpkin Bowling

Use toilet paper roll as pins, draw a face of a pumpkin on the rolls and bowl using smaller ball.

25. Fall Color Sorting Game

Take any toys or items that are of the fall color (red, orange, brown, and yellow) and ask your children to separate them based on their color.

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Conclusion

I get it, you’re kind of busy. You’re doing a million things and it’s like your brain turns to mush. But in these tiny moments — giggling over painted pinecones or jumping in piles of leaves — they’re what your kids will remember.

You do not have to scheme Pinterest-worthy things. You do not have to take hours prepping. You just need 15 minutes of connection.

So the next time the kids are getting really restless and you’re getting fed up, come back to this list. Take one idea. Let it be messy imperfect and fun.

You are doing a great Job.

You’re making memories — and let’s be real here, that’s more important than anything.