Autumn has officially arrived in the UK, painting the world in shades of yellow, orange, and red. The air feels crisper, the days a little cosier, and with the change in season comes endless opportunities for fun and learning. For families, it’s the perfect time for a fresh start, and what better way to embrace it than by getting creative together?
In this blog, we’ll explore the many benefits of arts and crafts for children and share five fun autumn activities for kids (and parents!) to enjoy. You’ll find out what you’ll need, how to make them, and how each one supports your child’s development and wellbeing.
And that’s not all! We’ll also highlight how our fantastic October half-term camps provide the perfect chance for campers to relax, make memories, and head home with a special keepsake they’ve created themselves at our creation station session!
The benefits of arts and crafts
Ever wondered if all that glitter, glue, and paint is doing more than just keeping us entertained? You bet it is! Arts and crafts is not only a fun way to pass the time; it offers lots of physical, cognitive, social and emotional benefits too! From developing fine motor skills to encouraging self-expression, here are some of the reasons why being crafty matters:
Sparks creativity and imagination
Let’s start with the most obvious benefit. Arts and crafts encourage kids to think outside the box, experiment with colours, shapes, and textures, and bring their own ideas to life. There are no set rules, which means their imagination can run wild and they have the freedom to express themselves.
This kind of imaginative play also helps build innovative thinking skills that are super valuable in all areas of life, such as problem-solving in school or figuring out how to complete a puzzle.
Develops fine motor skills
If you’ve tried to carefully thread a needle or meticulously cut out an intricate design, these are great examples of fine motor skills in action. Crafts involve a lot of precise movements, such as grasping tools (like paintbrushes and scissors), manipulating small objects, and developing hand-eye coordination.
This strengthens the muscles in our hands and fingers, which are essential for tasks like writing, tying shoelaces, and even sports when throwing or gripping a ball. For younger children, it’s foundational, and for older kids, it refines their dexterity.
Enhances problem-solving skills
Not every project turns out perfectly the first time—and that’s ok! One of the biggest benefits of arts and crafts is that there’s always room for improvement. If the glitter isn’t sticking, or a structure made of lollipop sticks keeps falling down, then it’s a chance to try again.
These little challenges prompt kids to adapt and think critically: “How can I make this structure stronger?” or “What if I try a different glue?”. As a result, they learn to adapt, experiment with new ideas, and understand that mistakes are all part of the process, building patience and resilience along the way.
Improves focus and concentration
In our fast-paced, device-driven world, our ability to focus is more important than ever. Arts and crafts activities often require sustained attention to detail, whether it’s carefully painting within lines, following instructions for a model, or concentrating on a knitting pattern.
This engagement helps to lengthen kids’ attention spans by encouraging them to hone in on a single task for longer periods of time and see a project through from start to finish. Plus, it’s a wonderful way to practice mindfulness and get “in the zone,” away from digital distractions, leading to a calmer and more focused mindset.
Boosts self-esteem
There’s nothing quite like the pride and joy of completing a project you’ve been pouring your time and effort into for days or even weeks. In fact, a recent study from Anglia Ruskin University found that people who took part in arts and crafts reported higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction.
For children, the sense of accomplishment they feel when holding up their finished masterpiece gives a big boost to their self-esteem, showing them what they’re capable of achieving. It reinforces the idea that hard work pays off, encouraging a positive self-image and a can-do attitude.
5 easy autumn craft ideas for kids
Now, let’s dive into five easy autumn craft ideas for kids. These activities celebrate the season, spark creativity, build skills, and provide hours of hands-on fun. Best of all, nature provides everything you need—it’s free, sustainable, and perfect for getting kids outside and moving!
1. Leaf rubbings
Leaf rubbings are a simple yet effective way for kids to engage with various textures, shapes, and colours. By transferring the intricate details of autumn leaves onto paper, children not only sharpen their observation skills and fine motor control, but also learn to appreciate all the unique patterns in nature, while cultivating a lasting curiosity about the world around them.
What you’ll need:
- A selection of fresh or dried leaves
- Crayons or coloured pencils
- Thin, white paper
Instructions:
- Collect leaves of different shapes and sizes from your garden or local park.
- Place a leaf on a flat surface with the veined side facing up.
- Lay a sheet of paper over the top of the leaf.
- Gently rub a crayon or pencil back and forth over the paper to reveal the leaf’s texture.
Tip: Encourage kids to mix colours for a vibrant display, experimenting with layering different crayons and pencils to see how new hues are created.
2. Rock painting
Rock painting can turn ordinary stones into a friendly animal, a spooky monster, or even a unique design. This craft encourages creativity, hand-eye coordination, and planning skills. Once decorated, the rocks can become garden ornaments, paperweights, or gifts. It’s one of our most popular autumn craft activities at our kids’ holiday camps to do in the evening after a busy day of adventures.
What you’ll need:
- Smooth, flat rocks
- Acrylic paints
- Marker pens
- Pencil
- Paintbrushes
- Sealant (optional)
Instructions:
- Give the rocks a good wash and let them dry completely.
- Use a pencil to lightly sketch your design.
- Paint your design with bright, fun colours using acrylic paints. Apply a base coat if needed.
- Allow paint to dry completely before using marker pens to add finer details like eyes and mouths. Then, spray it with a seal if desired.
Tip: Use rock painting to teach patterns, symmetry, and colour mixing, helping children practice repetition and balance their design, as well as discover new shades.
3. Pine cone critters
Pine cones are perfect for creating your own imaginative woodland critters. By adding a few simple materials, kids can make owls, hedgehogs, and squirrels, using items they found on a nature walk. It’s a tactile, nature-inspired craft that provides endless opportunities for imaginative play.
What you’ll need:
- Pine cones
- Googly eyes
- Felt or craft foam
- PVA Glue
- Pipe cleaners or small accessories (e.g. buttons, beads, tiny pom-poms)
Instructions:
- Gather pine cones in your local park or woodland, and clean them gently.
- Attach googly eyes using glue to create a face.
- Cut out felt pieces for ears, wings, or tails.
- Add pipe cleaners or other accessories to complete your critter.
Tip: Encourage kids to create stories about their pine cone critters, giving each one a name and personality—this will really give their creations life!
4. Autumnal wreath
An autumnal wreath is a beautiful seasonal decoration and a fun craft for all ages. Using leaves, twigs, and other elements, children learn to coordinate and plan creatively through unique arrangements. Once done, kids will love seeing their wreath hanging on the door or a wall.
What you’ll need:
- Paper plate or cardboard ring
- Artificial or real leaves
- Pine cones and acorns
- Hot glue gun (adult supervision required) or PVA glue
- Ribbon (optional)
Instructions:
- Collect lots of leaves, twigs, pine cones and acorns.
- Arrange leaves around the paper plate (with the centre cut out) or cardboard ring as a base, securing with glue.
- Starting from the top, glue your leaves and other natural items onto the ring, overlapping them in different directions to create thickness.
- Make a bow from ribbon and attach it to the top of the wreath, then add a loop of twine for hanging.
Tip: Lay out your materials on the wreath base first to experiment with placement and balance before attaching anything permanently.
5. Pumpkin carving
It isn’t autumn without carving a pumpkin or two! This classic Halloween tradition is a brilliant way to get creative with your hands. Kids can design fun or spooky faces with precision and teamwork. At PGL, we offer this hands-on activity at our October half-term camps, giving children the chance to craft their own festive pumpkins while enjoying loads of adventure activities and other seasonal thrills!
What you’ll need:
- Small or medium-sized pumpkins
- Pumpkin carving kit or small serrated knife (adults only for sharp tools)
- Spoon for scooping
- Markers for drawing designs
- A small candle or an LED tea light
Instructions:
- First, adults should carefully cut a lid off the top of the pumpkin and scoop out the seeds and pulp.
- Draw your design on the pumpkin with a marker.
- Carefully carve along the lines.
- Display your pumpkin with a candle or tea light inside, and watch it glow.
Tip: Use a template if you want to create a more intricate pumpkin design. Or, instead of carving, paint your pumpkin instead—perfect for younger children or anyone who wants a mess-free alternative.
Unleash your inner artist at a PGL October half-term camp!
Ready to unleash your child’s creativity this autumn? Our October half-term camps are the perfect place for kids aged 8-11, 11-13 years and 13-16 years old to dive into arts and crafts, enjoy a range of outdoor activities, and make new friends along the way!
We offer short 2- or 3-night camps, as well as longer 4- or 7-night stays, so you can choose the perfect fit for your child’s first adventure and schedule. Our specialist kids’ camps are also a fantastic way to dive deeper into a hobby or interest during the school holidays!
We have half-term camps available in the following UK locations:
Spaces fill up fast, so book now and make this October holiday unforgettable! For more information, get in touch with our friendly and experienced team today.
