Autumn months are perfect for getting outdoors on pleasant days and finding ways to bring the spirit of the changing season inside.
Caregivers for seniors can seize the opportunity to plan do-it-yourself fall crafts that encourage physical, mental, and social stimulation. Hands-on activities can provide therapeutic benefits by working on dexterity and concentration, and having a fun task to do can reduce loneliness, elevate the mood, and boost self-confidence.
Here are some easy fall crafts to get seniors’ creativity going. You don’t need to spend a lot of money or do a lot of prep work. Simply gather some common art supplies like glue, tape, yarn, paper, scissors, crayons, and paints. The rest of what you need can typically be found outside or at a local market.
Leaf-Inspired Creations
Gathering leaves outside gives you a chance to go on an easy stroll with your loved one. You can even enlist younger family members to come along and do the collecting.
Pressed Leaf Art
- Place the leaves between the pages of a book and under something heavy for a few hours so they can flatten.
- When ready, apply a thin layer of liquid glue to a sheet of thick paper and arrange the leaves artfully. (Tip: Using tweezers can help you place more delicate leaves and avoid glue-covered fingers.)
- Let it dry, and consider framing it for display.
Leaf Rubbings
- Make an arrangement of leaves on a hard surface and place a thin piece of paper on top, taping down the edges.
- Rub with the side of a paperless crayon so the textures of the leaves appear on the paper. (Tip: Try a variety of colors and vary the applied pressure to get interesting and layered designs.)
- For an added touch, glue or tape accents like twigs and smaller leaves to your picture.
Leaf Garland
- Start with a fishing line, floss, thread, or yarn and tie a knot in one end.
- Attach the other end to a large, blunt needle and string it through the leaves. (Tip: For an easy modification, ditch the needle and just use tape to attach the leaves to the string.)
Pumpkin and Gourd Decorations
Prep for these fall crafts could involve a trip to the store to pick out supplies if you want to make an outing of it. You could also bring together a group of friends and family to chat and catch up during a hands-on artsy afternoon.
Mini Painted Pumpkins
- Select mini round pumpkins that you and others can pick up and handle easily, about 4-6 inches in diameter.
- Get some paint in a variety of colors. Poster paint and acrylics are good for easy cleanup and quick dry time, but spray paint, chalk paint, and metallic paint can make interesting base coats or accents.
- Tap into your creativity and consider if you want to cover your pumpkin with a fall-inspired pattern, paint it to resemble a character, or do a freeform design. (Tip: In addition to having several kinds of brushes available, use sponges, stencils, and masking tape to guide your artistic expression.)
- Let them dry, then put them on display on doorsteps, mantles, or tabletops.
Yarn-Wrapped Gourds
- Gather a variety of small gourds and a few skeins of yarn in bright fall colors.
- Attach one end of the yarn to the center of either the top or bottom of the gourd using hot glue or strong tape.
- Wind the yarn in any pattern of lines around the gourd—horizontal, vertical, wavy, zigzag, etc.—and attach it to the gourd with hot glue from time to time. (Tip: If you don’t want to do a lot of gluing, you can just wrap in a continuous criss-cross pattern until the gourd is covered.)
- For a fanciful approach, create designs like spirals, use multiple colors for weaving and layering, or incorporate other materials like paint, pipe cleaners, buttons, or felt cut-outs.
Pumpkin Seed Art
- Use dried pumpkin seeds to create mosaic art. You’ll need thick paper or another sturdy base material and liquid glue as well as either paint or pencils.
- Start by thinking of a subject; common ones are trees, flowers, foods, and animals.
- Draw or paint the outline of your subject, and apply the seeds with a dot of glue to fill in leaves, petals, feathers, fur, etc. (Tip: If you’re patient and steady, try making neat lines or layered spirals—or feel free to stick them wherever it feels like they should go. Consider using any other small, dry items, like beans, kernels, grain stems, and pebbles.)
Pinecone Projects
One of the distinct scents of fall is the outdoorsy scent of pine. Picking up pinecones off the ground under trees can be a workout, so maybe bring along some younger folks—or try using a reacher-grabber tool.
Pinecone Birdfeeders
- Gather string or thin, pliable wire; peanut butter or another edible alternative, like shortening or honey; and birdseed and other goodies.
- Tie the string or wire to the top of the pinecone first so you have something to hold.
- Coat the pinecone generously with your sticky substance, then roll it around in the seed and add other wildlife-friendly treats.
- Hang them outside in places that are accessible for birds but not their predators.
Pinecone Flowers
Note: This craft may need someone with strength and coordination to do the prep, but the decorating can bring together all ages and abilities.
- Use pruning shears to snip pinecones into flower shapes. If you want stems, you can bore a small hole in the center and glue in skewers.
- Then, use tempera or acrylic paint to color them like roses, lilacs, mums, succulents, and more.
- Arrange stemmed flowers in a container or place unstemmed ones in a decorative bowl for a centerpiece.
Pinecone Potpourri
- Collect pinecones, flowers, and leaves along with goodies from the store like sage leaves, cinnamon sticks, and whole cloves.
- Place them artfully in a clean jar.
- Add a few drops of essential oils like orange, lemongrass, and eucalyptus, and seal the container for a few days so the scents blend.
- Open when ready and breathe in!
Simple Fall Wreaths
Creating festive wreaths to hang on doors and walls can make your home feel cozy as autumn settles in. Bring together family and friends for an afternoon of wreath-making while you swap stories and memories about school days, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and more.
Yarn Wreath
- Collect 50-60 yards of yarn for each wreath. (Tip: Chunky yarn works best.)
- Start with a premade metal-wire wreath frame.
- Cut uniform strands of 7-8 inches and tie them on or use longer pieces to weave over, under, and around the wire until the wreath is covered.
- Use a wide ribbon to make a large bow and add other decorations like flower sprigs, pinecones, or felt leaf cutouts with hot glue.
Fabric-Scrap Wreath
- Shape some sturdy wire into a circle with a 1-foot diameter to create the base of this festive rag wreath.
- Gather several yards of fabric and wide ribbon in differing but complementary colors and patterns.
- Cut a hundred or more scraps to about 1–2 inches wide and 7–8 inches long.
- Tie them around the wire with simple knots.
- Consider adding just a simple bow or a cut-out initial in the center to accent.
Nature Walk Wreath
- Pick up some small, premade twig wreaths at a craft store.
- Take a group of family and friends on a stroll and gather interesting leaves, twigs, flowers, stones, and more.
- Arrange the found items on the wreath and attach them using hot glue. (Tip: The joy of making these is working together to find and swap items and turning natural items into creative patterns and arrangements.)
Tips for Crafting with Seniors
Getting together and making things can bring out the creativity in anyone. Aim to make the experience as smooth as possible with some thoughtfulness:
- Pre-cut or pre-assemble complicated items so the focus is on the decorating.
- Make sure the workspace is well-lit, clutter-free, and comfortable.
- Use a plastic tablecloth or paper to cover surfaces to make cleanup easy.
- Have the right tools for the job, such as round-tip scissors, easy-wash glue, non-permanent markers, and items that don’t have sharp points or edges.
- Take breaks for water, snacks, and stretching when needed—or divide the craft into short steps across a few days.
- Be ready to adapt. It’s less important to do it right than it is to have fun.
- Turn it into a social activity where the craft is something for people to do while visiting and catching up.
Helping Seniors Enjoy Every Day of Their Best Years
Fall is a great time of year to celebrate with creative activities. It’s a chance to enjoy nature’s beauty and mild temperatures before cool weather and shorter days swoop in. Crafting is an activity that spans ages, abilities, and interests and offers everyone a break in their routines to pause and appreciate the season.
BrightStar Care® caregivers work hard to make life better for seniors and their loved ones in both small and big ways. Whether you're looking for in-home care services or a reliable medical staffing partner for your organization, our experienced local care team members are ready to help. Find a location near you, contact us online, or call 866-618-7827 to learn more about how BrightStar Care® offers A Higher Standard®.