Fall is here, and it’s time to get crafty! These three simple projects are full of color, texture, and seasonal charm — perfect for little hands. From beaded corn to stained-glass leaves and paper pumpkins, each craft brings a bit of autumn magic into your home. Gather your supplies, roll up your sleeves, and let’s make some fall memories!
Beaded Corn
Here's how to make colorful cobs of corn using beads and pipe cleaners — a fun, hands-on fall project for little ones!
Materials:
🧵 Plastic craft beads in all colors
🌽 Pipe cleaners (for the corn cob)
🍽️ Grip Tray to contain the project
🎨 Silicone Little Dippers for holding beads
Instructions:
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Set up your work station, giving each little their own Grip Tray. Arrange the Silicone Little Dippers around the trays and fill them with beads for easy grabbing.
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Twist four pipe cleaners together to form a star pattern with eight arms total, making sure the center twist is secure.
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Give each little a pipe cleaner "star" and have them thread the beads onto it. Encourage mixing colors and patterns!
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Add beads to each arm of the star until you are about 2–3 inches from the end.
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Once all the beads are on, fold each arm up so they all meet at the top. Twist the ends of the pipe cleaner to keep the beads in place.
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Display your beaded corn in a basket, on a table, or as part of a fall centerpiece.
Tip: Use multiple pipe cleaners for larger cobs.
Stained Glass Leaves
These colorful tissue paper leaves look like they’re glowing when the sunlight hits. They’re easy to make and perfect for decorating windows or creating a garland.
Materials:
🍁 Leaf shapes printed on cardstock
🍂 Colored tissue paper
🍃 Clear contact paper
🌿 Masking tape
✂️ Scissors
🥣 Bumkins First Feeding Set bowls
Instructions:
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Trace the cardstock leaf shapes onto the non-sticky side of the contact paper.
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Tear or cut tissue paper into small pieces and place them in the First Feeding Set bowls for easy grabbing.
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Remove the film from the contact paper and place it sticky side up. Tape the edges to the table to help control the stickiness.
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Have your little ones cover the whole leaf with tissue paper, overlapping pieces for a stained-glass effect.
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Once the leaf is filled, place another piece of contact paper sticky side down on top, so the sticky sides are facing each other, and sandwich the tissue paper between them.
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Press down gently to remove air bubbles. Cut out your leaf shape and use it to decorate your home however you like!
Tip: Let your little ones mix tissue paper colors to create more depth, and encourage them to overlap pieces for a full, colorful “stained glass” effect.
Paper Pumpkins
These easy paper pumpkins are fun to make and look great in groups! Kids can make different sizes and colors to decorate the house.
Materials:
Construction paper in orange, yellow, black, green, and brown
✏️ Pencil or crayon
✂️ Scissors
💚 Bumkins Silicone Straw Cups
🎃 Glue stick or tape
Tip: You can use pipe cleaners or recycled paper bags for the stems/leaves if preferred
Instructions:
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Trace or draw your favorite pumpkin shape onto black construction paper.
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Cut orange and yellow construction paper into 1-inch-wide strips (8–10 strips per pumpkin).
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Cut green construction paper into 1/4-inch strips and curl slightly with scissors, or use green pipe cleaners instead.
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Place all the strips, glue sticks, scissors, and other materials in your Silicone Straw Cups to keep everything organized.
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Have your little ones glue or tape one end of each strip to the edge of the pumpkin outline. Curve the strip over and attach the other end to the opposite side. Repeat with all strips until the pumpkin is full and rounded.
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When the pumpkin is filled to their liking, make a stem from brown paper and add a leaf or vine from green paper or pipe cleaners.
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Make pumpkins of different sizes and colors for a fun display!
Tip: Use glitter or patterned paper for extra fun and visual interest.
These three crafts are an easy and colorful way to celebrate fall with kids. Beaded corn, stained-glass leaves, and paper pumpkins all add a little autumn magic to your home — and creating them is half the fun! If you try these crafts, be sure to tag @bumkinsbaby on Instagram with your creations.
