Last updated on October 24th, 2023
Inside: This fall apple stamp tree craft is a fun way to kick off the season of fall. Using apple slices as paint stamps, this craft is sure to engage your little one and get them excited for fall!
Fall Is Coming
Ya’ll, nothing makes me more excited than summer changing into fall! I know I’m not alone in this feeling.
Don’t get me wrong, I love summer, but there is something about autumn approaching that feels so good. Maybe it’s the cooler weather inviting in cozy blankets, fires, and sweaters. Or the yummy pumpkin-spiced and apple-cinnamon foods. There’s just something about it that feels so special.
What better way to kick off fall than with a fun apple tree craft?! In September, I’m all about apples. Apple picking, apple baking, and of course, apple crafts.
We created this apple tree in minutes with just a few supplies. After we finished, I just let my toddler go to town stamping away on his paint pad. He loved it!
Changing up the tools that you use during creative play can make a big difference in what your child can learn from an activity and their level of engagement. It makes them think of new ways to do something and teaches them new fine motor skills.
What You Need for Fall Apple Stamp Tree Craft
You don’t need a whole lot for this fall craft.
- paper
- paint
- red, yellow, orange, brown OR red, yellow, green, brown
- two paint brushes (one tiny and one bigger)
- 1-2 apples
- knife and cutting board for cutting apple
How To Set Up for Fall Apple Stamp Tree Craft
Set up is pretty simple for this one. If you know me, you know that I’m all about keeping playtime simple. I don’t enjoy spending a ton of time setting up a craft or activity, just to have it completed in 10 minutes.
First, set up your painting station. If you aren’t sure where to start with this, check out this post I wrote about how to set up and clean up for painting with your toddler. In that post, I also link all of my favorite painting supplies. You won’t want to miss it!
Next, slice your apple in half. This will give you two stamps. For young toddlers, this is plenty. They won’t separate their colors anyways at this age, so you won’t have to worry about having a stamp for each color. For older kiddos, you could always slice enough apples per color though.
For young toddlers, I like to cut out two wedges on the skin side of the apple to create a little ‘handle’ for your toddler to hold for stamping. This makes the stamping process easier as the half-circle apple shape can be slippery, big, and harder to hold for toddlers. Alternatively, you could stick a fork in the skin side of the apple for grip.
After you finish slicing, just squirt a couple of fall themed colors on your painting station. I used red, orange, and yellow to represent fall leaves. You could, alternatively, use red, green, and yellow to resemble actual apple colors.
How to Do Apple Stamp Tree Craft
Help your toddler by pointing where to stamp each apple slice and assist them in dipping the apple back in more paint when you notice the apple is running dry. Don’t be afraid to let them mix the colors together and create their own version of the apple tree.
Remember that crafts with littles are not going to be perfect, but it’s these little imperfections that make them more special! So let them have fun with it.
Afterward, you can finish the painting by adding a tree trunk with the larger paint brush and a cute message with the tiny paint brush. I simply added “Happy Fall! Love, Henry”.
While you are working on the finishing touches, let your child create their own apple stamping masterpieces. Once finished, set your paper in a safe spot to dry.
Happy Fall!
I’m so happy with how these apple trees turned out! Henry is very proud of his tree and even gave a copy to Grandma!
Let me know how your apple trees turned out by leaving me a comment below. I love hearing from you!
If you’re looking for more easy and fun craft ideas, check out these other crafts.
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