10 Easy Fall Activities and Crafts for Toddlers (That Busy Moms Will Actually Do)

Fall is a beautiful season — but for busy moms, it can also mean long gray days stuck inside with restless kids. You want to make special memories, but who has time for Pinterest-perfect crafts that take hours of prep and endless supplies?

If you’re looking for easy fall activities for toddlers and preschoolers that are simple, quick, and fun, you’re in the right place. These ideas are designed for real moms with busy schedules — no stress, no perfection, just doable fun.

Why Simple Activities Are Better for Busy Working Moms

When you’re juggling work, family, and the endless to-do list, the last thing you need is another overwhelming project. What kids really need is your presence, not a picture-perfect craft. That’s why I’ve created a list of 10 simple fall crafts and activities that take minimal prep and still create big smiles.

10 Simple Fall Crafts and Activities for Kids (Ages 2–5)

• Go on a supply hunt 🕵️‍♀️Instead of spending precious "me time" to prepare everything why not turn gathering supplies into a fun treasure hunt around the house. Store everything in an old cardboard box so you have it ready for whenever you want to do one of the other activities.

• Set up an art display. Something we often forget and end up having tons of art projects scattered around the house. So make preparing your art display an activity of its own. Hang a string with two clothespins to the wall so your child can proudly show off their fall artwork.

• Make your own rain. Shake rice in a jar together with some blue paint, let it dry, and save it for a sensory craft later. The kids will love dancing around and listening to the sound the rice makes in the jar.

• Dress the girl for a rainy day. Use the girl printout from the activity guide below, cut out the dressing items (or even use fabric scraps) and glue them onto the girl to create an outfit for the girl.

• Go on a rainy walk & collect leaves 🍂Put on rain boots, explore the colors of fall, and gather leaves for later crafts.

• Make the clouds rain ☁️Glue colored rice under a cloud drawing to create your own rainy-day scene.

• Create wind at home 💨Use a hairdryer, paper rolls, or even blankets to explore how air moves.

• Cover the scenery in fog 🌫Use cotton wool and a little blue paint to turn the printable forest scene into a foggy fall day.

• Take a pumpkin outline and decorate your pumpkin 🎃Finger paint, sponge, or brush — messy is fun! Or glue orange-colored rice for texture.

• Make your own fall tree 🌳Use the leaves you collected to decorate a printable tree outline.

Why You’ll Love These Easy Fall Activities

• ✅ Low-prep: Most materials are things you already have at home.

• ✅ Quick: Set up in minutes, not hours.

• ✅ Fun for toddlers & preschoolers: Perfect for ages 2–5, with younger kids welcome to join.

• ✅ Realistic for busy moms: You can actually do these without adding stress to your day.

👉 You can use the ideas as they are, or tweak them to fit your kids and your day.

Want step-by-step instructions and free printouts for all these activities?