15 Squirrel Crafts for Kids That Are Perfect for Fall

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Have a little one who loves animals and autumn? These squirrel crafts for kids are a playful way to bring nature indoors using paper, paint, and even a few acorns. Whether you’re looking for a quiet afternoon activity or a classroom idea, there’s something here for everyone.

Want more animal ideas? Head over to our complete list of animal crafts for kids to keep the fun going with bunnies, bears, and more.

A collage highlights 15 squirrel-themed crafts for kids made with materials like paper, leaves, and textured supplies, featuring a central title that reads “15 Cute Squirrel Crafts for Kids.”

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Squirrel Crafts For Kids

Featured image of the Squirrel Puppet Craft

Squirrel Paper Bag Puppet

Turn a simple brown paper bag into a playful squirrel puppet with just a few cut-out pieces. Using the free printable template, kids can glue on the squirrel's face, tail, and paws to bring their new furry friend to life.

After crafting, children will have a blast using their squirrel puppet for imaginative play and storytelling, so grab the full instructions from the blog for all the details.

www.artycraftykids.com

Nature Squirrel Collage

Children create a unique nature collage using an easy squirrel template and some outdoor treasures (like leaves, acorns, and twigs). The project brings nature into art and lets kids personalize their squirrel with fun textures from outside.

Grab the free template and see the full instructions on the blog to help your little one make their nature-inspired squirrel friend.

Related: Squirrel Pumpkin Craft

kidscraftroom.com

Printable Squirrel Headband

Kids will love making their squirrel headbands to wear as costumes. The printable template is available in full color or black-and-white for children to color, making it easy to cut out and attach an adorable squirrel face and ears to a paper band.

Once assembled, the squirrel hat is perfect for pretend play and dress-up fun—check out the blog for the template and step-by-step instructions.

Handprint Squirrel

Kids can trace their hand on paper to form the shape of this cute squirrel, making the project extra personal. Using the free template for the squirrel's face and other pieces, children can easily cut and glue their handprint into a fuzzy-tailed friend.

This keepsake-worthy art is fun to make and sparks imaginative play as kids use their handprint squirrel for pretend stories; be sure to check the blog for the complete how-to and template.

buggyandbuddy.com

Squirrel Art Inspired by Nuts to You!

After enjoying the book Nuts to You! by Lois Ehlert, kids can bring the story to life by creating a squirrel activity inspired by the tale. This project uses fun art techniques and even incorporates real peanut shells as squirrel “nuts,” giving it a unique sensory element.

It's an excellent way to blend story time and art time, and the blog's tutorial shows you exactly how to make this literature-inspired squirrel scene.

Also try: Squirrel Craft

mamainstincts.com

Acorn Squirrel

This entertaining project turns real acorns (along with some fluffy fur) into the tiniest squirrels you've ever seen. Kids will enjoy gathering acorns and turning them into miniature squirrel buddies by adding little ears, tails, and faces with simple art materials.

For a unique twist on a fall activity, this DIY is simple to do and yields one-of-a-kind critters—check out the blog for the full tutorial on making these cute acorn squirrels.

Paper Squirrel

This easy DIY lets kids make an adorable paper squirrel using a free printable template and basic art supplies. Children cut out the simple shapes and glue them together, practicing their scissors skills while assembling a friendly little squirrel.

Full of autumn charm, this quick project is perfect for the season—find the template and instructions on the blog to get started.

www.easypeasyandfun.com

Toilet Paper Roll Squirrel

Save empty toilet paper tubes for this eco-friendly squirrel project that kids can assemble quickly. Children create a squirrel that can stand up independently by wrapping and gluing paper around a cardboard tube and adding a curvy tail, ears, and a cute face.

This activity is a great way to turn recycled materials into a playful new toy and also comes with a free template—head to the blog for all the details.

happytoddlerplaytime.com

Acorn Painted Squirrel

This project gets kids painting in a playful new way—using real acorns to spread the paint. Little ones dip acorns in autumn-colored paint and roll them across a squirrel template, turning the process into a fun gross motor activity.

Best of all, it's an easy fall activity that combines movement with creativity—check out the blog for the free template and full painting instructions.

www.easypeasyandfun.com

Swirly Squirrel

Get ready to make a squirrel with the curliest tail around in this fun swirly squirrel art. Kids cut out a spiral-shaped tail (great scissor practice!) and attach it to their paper squirrel, giving it a whimsical, bouncy look.

The free template makes it easy to assemble, and the blog post shows how this simple project helps little ones build fine motor skills while having a blast.

www.messylittlemonster.com

Cardboard Tube Squirrels

This simple activity for little ones turns ordinary cardboard tubes into a whole family of cute squirrels. Preschoolers can paint or color the tubes and add paper cut-outs for the squirrels' eyes, paws, and big fluffy tails.

These squirrel pals are sturdy enough for kids to play with afterward, and the blog post has all the instructions and tips to help you make them.

thepinterestedparent.com

Dixie Cup Squirrel

Who knew a little Dixie cup could turn into an adorable squirrel? In this project, kids paint a small paper cup and add construction paper ears, feet, and a fluffy tail, transforming it into a cute squirrel figurine.

The result stands up on its own and is perfect for pretend play or autumn decor—check out the blog for the full tutorial on this 3D squirrel art.

www.thejoysharing.com

Magnetic Squirrel and Acorn Game

Imagine an activity that doubles as a game where a paper squirrel can actually “chase” an acorn using magnets. Kids assemble the squirrel and acorn with a provided template, then use a little magnet trick (a hidden magnet and a metal staple) to make the squirrel grab its acorn.

This clever fall STEAM activity merges art with a bit of science magic, and the blog has the free template and step-by-step guide to set it up.

happytoddlerplaytime.com

Leaf-Printed Squirrel

Put those autumn leaves to good use by printing their shapes onto a squirrel art for a neat fall design. Kids paint the backs of collected leaves with fall-colored paints and press them onto a squirrel template, creating leaf pattern prints on their squirrel's tail and body.

This activity combines nature and art in a super kid-friendly way, and the blog post includes all the details (plus a squirrel template) to help you make your own.

intheplayroom.co.uk

Moving Paper Plate Squirrel

Two paper plates and a popsicle stick become an interactive autumn scene in this moving squirrel art. Kids create a fall backdrop of colorful “leaves” on the plates and then use the popsicle stick to slide a paper squirrel in and out of the foliage, as if it's jumping around.

This engaging project comes with a free squirrel template and is perfect for pretend play—check the blog for the template download and complete instructions.

More Fun Kid’s Ideas

26 Enchanting Woodland Animal Books For Kids
100+ Best Animal Crafts For Kids
40 Adorable Toilet Paper Roll Animal Crafts for Kids

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photograph of found of Simple Everyday Mom, Sam

Meet Sam

Sam is the crafter and founder of Simple Everyday Mom. She has been featured in Oprah Mag, Good Housekeeping, The Spruce Crafts, Country Living, The Bump, and more.

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