Fall decorating is one of my favorite times to let the kids really be part of what goes up around the house. The projects don't have to be elaborate. A few pieces of paper, some scissors and glue, and an afternoon at the table can turn into decorations that actually feel at home in the rest of the room.
I especially love projects that are simple enough for kids to help with but still pretty enough to leave up all season. It's also nice to have printables on hand for when they just feel like crafting.
Start with a few easy supplies
It doesn't take much, some printed fall designs, cardstock or regular paper, scissors, craft glue or glue dots, string or ribbon, and a few branches or a vase if you want to bring in something natural. For younger kids, an adult can handle any detailed cutting while kids choose colors, arrange pieces, glue, and decide where everything should go. Kid-friendly specialty scissors that scallop and wave are a bonus. These sorts of edgers relieve some of that "cut on the line" pressure while creating the most interesting finishes.
Make a paper garland together
Garlands are one of the easiest ways to make a room feel all the fall vibes without adding lots of little objects everywhere. Paper leaves, pumpkins, or other simple fall shapes can be strung across an entry table, bookshelf, mantel, window, or bedroom wall.
Let the kids choose the order. The colors do not have to match perfectly, and the spacing does not have to be exact. That is part of what makes it feel handmade. Try mixing and matching the different patterns and colors.
Turn branches into a fall arrangement
A vase of branches is another easy project with a big payoff. Bare branches are pretty on their own, but adding a handful of paper leaves gives them instant fall color. Just hot glue (no little hands involved in this step) leaves to branches and then fill a vase with them. You don't need anything fancy, not even one of my printables-old book pages work especially great for this project.
Give the kids a space of their own
One of the easiest ways to get kids excited about seasonal decorating is to let them make something for their own rooms. A short leaf garland to hang in their reading nook gives them a little piece of fall that is completely theirs, and one they'll want to keep.
Keep it easy
My favorite fall projects are the ones we can actually finish and enjoy with ease. Print a few pages, put the supplies on the table, and let everyone make something. It doesn't have to happen all at once, let it be a slow, come-and-go sort of project over the week.