85 Easy Fall Crafts for Adults to DIY With Kids in 2023
From wood and paper pumpkins to acorn trees, wheat centerpieces and more!
We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.
Autumn is right around the corner, which means it's time to start brainstorming fall crafts your family and friends will enjoy. We're thinking painted pumpkins (carved ones too, of course!), leafy garlands, and DIY projects that can double as Thanksgiving and Halloween decor! Since kids may already be excited about the fall crafts on their list, make sure to join in on the crafting fun with these adult-friendly ideas below.
There's something special about gathering for a day of crafts, especially during the fall months. You can collect the season's best staples — colorful leaves, apples and pinecones — to turn them into gorgeous fall decorations like autumnal wreaths. We even share a range of stunning fall centerpieces that'll wow your guests, along with ideas for mantels and fireplaces (you have to see the carved flame pumpkins and candy corn garlands in our roundup). Enjoy!
Scalloped Edge Pumpkins
Create a unique display on your mantel or tabletop by carving out scalloped edges on your pumpkins. Cut the round opening from the bottom and scoop out the pumpkin guts with a spoon. Cut out V-shaped slivers at the top and widen them until you've made your scalloped edges. Place another pumpkin on top for this pretty stacked look.
Punched Pumpkins
Use cookie cutters for these Halloween-themed pumpkins! Push sturdy metal cookie cutters into clean gourds — from bats and skeletons to ghosts and vampires. Hammer the cutters through the flesh with a rubber mallet before spray painting the carved areas with vinegar so your designs last longer.
Headstone Pumpkins
Let old cemetery headstones inspire your fall and Halloween decor! Start by using our template to carve a headstone onto a tall, dark pumpkin. Add lights inside, before displaying these creepy gourds on the front porch or lawn.
Yarn Wall Hanging
Use a gold macramé hoop, chunky yarn and oatmeal yarn to DIY a gorgeous wall hanging that can be displayed long after fall ends. Plus, no sewing required. You only have to know how to create a basic knot.
Flame Pumpkins
Illuminate your space with these carved flame pumpkins that feature lights inside for an eerie glow. Download, trace and carve out this flame template. Cut the pumpkin's opening out from the bottom to add LED tealights.
Feather Pumpkin
Beginners can use our feather template to carve out this beautiful design. Use washable chalk markers to trace the design onto a gourd and Lino Cut tools to carve away the surface skin. Create texture with a mix of long and short strokes. Then, spray vinegar on the design for it to last throughout the season.
Candle-Carved Pumpkins
Create these cool designs on tall squashes. First, you'll have to cut a round opening from the bottom. Then, download and trace this candlestick template with washable chalk markers. After cutting along the template, place your new candlesticks over string lights for a warm glow.
Crow Pumpkin
Grab a pumpkin carving knife and cut a round opening from the pumpkin's bottom. Scoop out the guts then trace this crow template onto the pumpkin using washable chalk markers. Place the carved pumpkin over string lights or a LED votive.
Cheery Pom-Poms
Attach pom-poms to orange or painted pumpkins. Use hot glue to add them in rows or clusters to make your design truly pop.
Crepe Paper Garlands
Drape this garland over your mantel for an eerie yet fall look. Brush a light layer of dark RIT liquid dye on the edges of an orange streamer roll and let it dry. Measure one yard of thread before cutting it off and sew a basic running stitch down the center of the streamer. Stitch through the top of the paper a few times and knot it off. Keep threading through new layers of paper to increase the garland's length.
Crayon Drip Pumpkins
Recreate this drip-painted look using melted crayons. Place crayons near the pumpkin stem and use a low-heat hair dryer to melt them. Control how they melt by moving the pumpkins around. Repeat the process until the entire pumpkin is decorated before letting it dry completely.
Spider Web Drink Umbrellas
Cut out a spider web umbrella template with a Cricut machine and 12x12 black craft paper. Score the straight lines that lead to the center using a bone folder and fold the straight lines to make an umbrella shape. Hot-glue the center of the web to a skewer stick and enjoy your new drink decor!
Vampy Jack o' Lantern
Who would have thought a vampire pumpkin would be so pretty? Create holes for the eyes using an awl. Paint the pumpkin in your desired color before pushing the stems of two large flowers into the holes. Don't forget to carve out space for the fangs.
Flower Crown Pumpkins
The fresh blooms on this centerpiece make it a stylish home addition. DIY your own by snipping flower stems one to two inches from the buds. Drill small holes into the painted rinds before sticking the buds in. Spritz the blossoms with water to keep them fresh.
Crescent Flower Wreath
This wreath will make a statement wherever it's placed. Easily DIY it by marking the two ends of the crescent shape with skinny grass. Use a mix of dried flowers to fill in the middle and hot-glue everything to ensure they remain secure.
Tombstone Chair Covers
Halloween is a fall holiday, so why not start those spooktastic decorations early with creepy chair covers? Use these tombstone templates and cut out the designs with a craft knife. Place your template centered on your pillowcase and tape or pin the corners down to keep it in place. Dab black fabric paint onto the fabric where the stencils are placed and let everything dry completely.
Leafy Lanterns
Give your porch a leafy and moody feel (especially at night) with festive lanterns. Our leaf template makes this craft easier. Simply scoop out the pumpkin guts to make space for the lights.
Leaf-Painted Pumpkins
Carving pumpkins isn't an activity everyone will enjoy, especially if they're not a fan of the sticky feeling that comes with it. Trace leaves onto tissue paper and cut them out before applying glue.
Hanging Pumpkin Planter
Use a craft knife to carve out a plastic pumpkin before attaching a macramé cord or rope around the top. Fill the empty space with your favorite plant and store your new planter for future use when you decide to replant.
Amanda Garrity is a lifestyle writer and editor with over seven years of experience, including five years on staff at Good Housekeeping, where she covered all things home and holiday, including the latest interior design trends, inspiring DIY ideas and gift guides for any (and every) occasion. She also has a soft spot for feel-good TV, so you can catch her writing about popular shows like Virgin River, Sweet Magnolias, Hallmark Channel’s When Calls the Heart and more.
Mariah Thomas (she/her) is an assistant editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers home and lifestyle content. Mariah has more than four years of editorial experience, having written for TLC, Apartment Therapy, Women's Health and Avocado Magazine. She received her master's degree in journalism at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism and published her first book, Heart and Soul: Poems of Thoughts and Emotions, in 2019. She's also the founder of RTF Community, a platform for creatives of color to connect, learn and showcase their work.
The Coziest Fall Captions for Instagram
'Farmer's Almanac' Fall Weather Predictions 2025
The Ultimate Guide to a Stunning Autumn Garden
The Best Leaf Vacuums
