Apple Process Art

It's that time of year again - leaves are changing, pumpkins are popping up everywhere, and what better way to celebrate than with a fun fall craft project? This activity is perfect for keeping little hands busy and creating some adorable apple artwork!

What you'll need:

• Construction paper
• Red, green, and brown paint
• Shallow dishes or trays for paint
• Wine corks
• Baby wipes or paper towels (for clean-up!)
• Optional: Glitter, markers, googly eyes for decorating

Let's get stamping!

Prepare your canvas: Unfold a large piece of construction paper. This will be the background for your giant apple!

Cork transformation: Pour a small amount of red paint into one of your shallow dishes. Now comes the fun part! Press the flat end of the wine cork into the red paint, making sure it gets a nice, even coat.

Stamping time! Carefully, guide your child's hand as they press the painted end of the cork onto the construction paper. This will be the body of the apple. Repeat this process, creating multiple red circles close together to form a large apple.

Stem and Leaf: Use a paintbrush and green paint to add a long, curvy stem coming out of the top of the apple. For the leaf, dip a corner of the paintbrush in green paint and make a few small teardrop shapes next to the stem

Browning time (optional): Fall apples often have brown speckles on the skin. Use a brown paintbrush to gently dab small dots around the red apple to create this effect

Decoration Extravaganza! Now comes the fun part - decorating! Let your child unleash their creativity. They can add glitter for a sparkly apple, use markers to draw stripes or a cute face, or even stick on googly eyes for a silly apple friend.

Pro-Tips:

• Safety first! Cover your work surface with newspaper or a tablecloth to avoid paint splatters.
• Little artists, big messes: For younger children, use washable paint and have plenty of baby wipes or paper towels on hand for clean-up.
• Get creative! Don't limit yourselves to red apples. Experiment with other fall colors for a variety of apple creations!

This easy and engaging craft is a fantastic way to spend quality time with your kids this fall. It allows them to explore their creativity, practice hand-eye coordination, and celebrate the beauty of the season. Plus, you'll end up with some adorable apple artwork to proudly display! So grab those wine corks, unleash the paint, and get stamping!

Find all of my favorite fall crafts here:

Play Doh Pumpkin Faces

Lego Stamped Pumpkins

Sunflower Stamped Pumpkins

Citrus Candles

If you are looking for a cheap and easy DIY that makes use of food scraps, adds elegance, and can be tossed after use, then you are going to love these easy candles. These are just the right size to burn on the deck in the evening and are so cute!

This project is so easy to complete. I had a few candle wicks and a small bag of wax melts to use. I also had a few bruised and battered citrus fruits. This idea was born from a way to add ambiance to a date night at home, by using items I already had on hand.

 

Directions:

Cut citrus fruits in half.

Discard all fruit until you are left with just the peel.

You could use fruits that you juiced for lemonade or limeaid.

Melt wax in the microwave, or in a double boiler over medium heat until it is liquid.

Pour a drop of wax into the peels and stick the wick into the peel.

Fill the peel with wax.

You can either poke a hole into a craft stick and feed the wick into the hole, or just wrap the wick around the stick to keep it in place.

Allow the wax to harden.

Trim the wicks, light and enjoy.

These will float, or just make a nice candle for on the porch that will burn down within an hour.

These also would make a nice gift to share with someone who invites you over to a bbq or for drinks.

They are also just gorgeous to watch burn!

After you make these once, you will want to reserve all of your beat up citrus fruits to make them again!

You can also make these with oranges if you have them on hand!

Find more favorite DIY projects here:

Fantastic flower projects

DIY Coasters

Dragonfly Charm Bookmarks

DIY Mermaid Stress Balls

If you need a fun activity for tweens and teens this summer, you will want to make these DIY mermaid stress balls! This craft is so much fun, and it is easy too.  You can make these with super simple supplies that you may have on hand. If not, grab them at your local dollar store.

 

If your kids are anything like mine, they have an insatiable love of fidgets. Harper had a ton of fun making and squishing this pretty stress ball. Even teenage Rolf was caught playing around with one. Can you guys believe that cute little blond haired boy is 14 now? Harper is 10, and we have been filling our days with little projects, as her brother has his own social life and agenda this summer.  From ipad stands to 3d Ladybugs, we have been getting super crafty. This stress ball craft might be our favorite yet.

Supplies:

 Balloons

Water beads *we used blue, green and purple beads.

Faux pearls and glitter if desired.

Directions:

Soak water beads until they are activated. To make this easy peasy, use a water bottle to activate for easy transfer.

If you want to add any beads, confetti or glitter, add it to the bottle now.

Stretch your balloon over the water bottle.

Empty the water beads directly into the balloon.

Remove and tie the balloon off.

Happy squishing!

Find more favorite craft ideas for kids here:

Easy butterfly craft

Birthday cake sensory bin
Minion puppets

Dive into Fun with a Kid-Made Fish Tank!

 Calling all creative captains! Are you ready to set sail for an ocean of imagination? Today, we're building a cute little fish tank, and the best part is, there are no limits to what your little ones can create!

This exciting craft is perfect for a rainy day or a dose of undersea whimsy. It's easy to customize and allows kids to explore their artistic talents while learning about the fascinating world of fish.

This project is perfect for a rainy day. It uses simple supplies and is so much fun to add your own touches. Kids will love making their own little friend, and taking it everywhere!

Supplies:

Small jar with lid (I used the button jars from Dollar Tree)

Several buttons

A 6” section of string

Glue

Tape

Scissors

Googly eyes

Paint samples

Directions:

Fold a paint sample in half

Cut the paint sample in the shape of a fish so that you have 2 fish.

Place glue on the backs of the fish.

Place the string so that it is in the center of the fish when they are placed on top of each other.

Glue on the eyes.

Tape the string to the inside of the lid of the jar.

Place a few buttons inside the jar.

Place the lid on the jar and admire your adorable swimming fish.

Aren't these so cute? You can make them in a variety of colors, and if you have a container that is large enough you can add multiple fish! Just vary the length of your string so they aren't hanging at the same level.

Harper had a ton of fun with this project and I know your kids will too. We took this little guy along on quite a few adventures. He traveled quite well!

Crafting with kids isn't just about making cool stuff (though that's definitely a perk!). It's a fantastic opportunity to bond, get creative, and explore the world through a hands-on lens. But with busy schedules and overflowing craft supply bins, getting started can feel overwhelming.

Here are some tips for making the most of craft time.

• Get down to their level: Sit on the floor with your child and participate in the activity. Show them your own excitement and creativity!
• Focus on the process, not the product: The joy of crafting comes from creating together, not achieving perfection.
• Let them take the lead: Encourage their creativity and allow them to make choices. Their unique ideas are what makes their crafts special!

Setting the Stage for Success:

• Prepare your workspace: Cover the table with newspaper or a tablecloth for easy cleanup. Have all materials within reach to avoid frustration.
• Embrace the mess: Crafting can get messy, and that's perfectly okay! Lay down a tarp outdoors for messy activities or use a large plastic bin for easy containment.
• Safety first: Be mindful of your child's age and choose age-appropriate materials. Adult supervision is always recommended for younger children, especially with scissors or glue.

Find more favorite craft ideas here:

Boredom Busters

Bunches of Grapes Process Art

Leaf Fox Family

Lovely Necklace Projects

Looking for a fun and creative way to accessorize your outfit? Look no further than these 15 lovely necklace projects! Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned jewelry maker, there's a project here for everyone.

We've gathered a variety of necklace projects, from simple beaded necklaces to more complex wire-wrapped designs. You'll find projects using all sorts of materials, including beads, crystals, shells, and even yarn. So what are you waiting for? Start crafting today and create a necklace that's as unique as you are! Be sure to click thru the links to find the full tutorial.

 Pressed Flower Necklaces by Mod Podge Rocks

Resin Pendants by Artsy Karma

Seashell Necklaces by Barley and Birch

Embroidery Hoop Necklaces by Albion Gold

Feathered Dream Catcher Pendant by Ruffles and Rain Boots

Marbled Clay Pendants by Sum of Their Stories

Crystal Necklaces by Craftsy Hacks

Glow in the Dark Ghost Tassel Necklaces by Albion Gold

Photo Pendants by Mod Podge Rocks

Macrame Sea Glass Necklace by Crafts by Amanda

Comic Book Necklaces by Savvy Mama Lifestyle

Rock and Wire Pendants  by Reuse Grow Enjoy

Boho Dreamcatcher Necklaces by Happy Mothering

Marbled Wooden Bead Necklaces by Sustain My Craft Habit

Scandinavian Hoop Pendants by Lovely Indeed

Find other cool crafts here:

Washer Necklaces

3d Paper Tulips

12+ Fall Mason Jar Crafts

Mason Jars are fantastic for storage, but did you know they are also a favorite supply for crafters? 

This collection of 12+ Fall Mason Jar Crafts has fabulous ideas. I have a feeling you are going to love these ideas for how to use mason jars in your fall crafting sessions.

From lovely luminaries to mason jars that look like Indian corn, this collection has ideas for everyone. I can't wait to hear which is your favorite. 

Fall Leaf Mason Jar Luminaries by Create Craft Love
Fall Pine Cone Mason Jars by Pillar Box Blue
Fall Mason Jars by Crafts by Amanda
Hanging Fall Mason Jars by Live Laugh Rowe
Fall Leaf Mason Jar Candle Holders by Creative Homemaking
Fall Mason Jar Centerpiece by DIY Beautify
Plaid Painted Mason Jars by Daily DIY Life
Mason Jar Centerpiece with Burlap Rosettes by Oh My Creative
Fall Themed Mason Jars by My Turn For Us
Glittery Pumpkin Mason Jars by The Best Ideas for Kids
Scarecrow Mason Jars by Easy Peasy Fun
Fall Harvest Corn Mason Jar by Thrifty Jinxy

You can find more mason jar ideas here.

Some of our favorite fall crafts include:

Apple Tree Window Clings

Easy Ombre Pumpkins

Apple Desserts to Fall For

Pine Cone Rescue Fine Motor Activity

This easy fine motor activity is perfect for keeping little hands busy without requiring any special materials! This Pine Cone Rescue is great for quarantine, or anytime you need to challenge little learners with simple supplies.

This is a super easy to set up activity, but let me be honest, this is HARD! It will challenge the kids and their fingers!  Last week my kids were restless and they were looking to argue with each other and I whisked them outside for a walk, hoping to get the ants out of their pants. 

It didn't work; they had a fight or three in the middle of the street. As the 6 year old picked up a pine cone to throw it at her older brother, inspiration hit me. Busy work was exactly what they needed!

Supplies:

Affiliate links are used, if you buy, I earn a small advertising fee.

Rainbow Loom Bands

Pine Cones

Directions:

Place the small rubber bands around the pine cones.

Add more bands for older kids, and fewer for younger kids.

Encourage your kids to rescue the pine cone.

Be sure to dispose of the bands properly after removal because they can pose a hazard to small kids and pets.

Removing the bands is challenging! So, this is a great activity for kids of all ages. 

You can find more boredom busters for kids here
Mermaid Tail
Leaf Foxes
Easy iPad Stands