Acorns are so versatile, making them perfect for a variety of preschool acorn crafts and activities! You don’t want to exclude them when you’re planning your fall activities for preschoolers.
Related: Fall Messy Play Ideas
There’s just something about acorns that attract children. Every preschool class I’ve had has included a few (or more than a few!) “squirrels” set on collecting as many acorns as possible. My son went through this, too. I have to admit, I love taking a walk with children and observing as they flit from acorn to acorn. Maybe it’s because I enjoyed it so much as a child.
If you’ve ended up with 5 pounds of acorns (in the past, there have been times when I’ve had way more than that), and aren’t sure what to do with them, check out some of the ideas below.
Acorn Crafts
Use real acorns to create art projects, or let the kids loose on crafting their own acorns.
Acorn Process Art for Kids from Fun-A-Day – Use real acorns as “paintbrushes” for a fun process art activity!
Paper Roll Stamped Acorns from Still Playing School – A paper roll, a sponge, and some paint are all you need for adorable acorns. This acorn craft helps develop fine motor skills, as well.
Button Acorn Craft from Glued to My Crafts – Use the free printable acorn template and buttons to make an easy craft. The finished product is beautiful!
Acorn Buddies from Learn with Play at Home – These little buddies are super adorable! I love the concentration, fine motor skills, and coordination practice that they give, too.
Cereal Acorn Craft from No Time for Flash Cards – Cereal makes for a really fun textured acorn! This one is great for homeschool, but easy in a classroom, too.
DIY Acorn Marble Necklace Craft from Rhythms of Play – These DIY necklaces are super easy and really gorgeous! They make great gifts.
Torn Paper Acorn from No Time for Flash Cards – Torn paper crafts are always a hit! I love how you can involve toddlers as well with this one.
Glittered Acorns from Happiness is Homemade – You can always count me in when it comes to using glitter – I love it! Glitter and glue are all you need for these sparkly beauties.
Acorn Wreath for Kids from Craftulate – This is a beautiful decoration for a classroom door or even your front door at home.
Acorn Math and Literacy Activities
Use real (or fake) acorns to help children learn about numbers, counting, letter identification, addition, storytelling, fine motor skills, and more!
Free Printable Calendar Numbers for Fall from Fun-A-Day – Grab your own set of these free printable fall calendar numbers! They’re super versatile and can be used in a number of activities.
Fall Math with Acorn Numbers from Fun-A-Day – Use acorns and fall gems to practice one-to-one correspondence, counting, addition, and other important early math skills.
Roll and Say Fall ABC Game from Fantastic Fun and Learning – Print out the free ABC game, then use an acorn as a marker. It’s great early literacy practice, and kids love rolling the acorn around!
Acorn Letters from Still Playing School – Make self-checking uppercase and lowercase manipulatives using real acorns. I love how she explains how to check the acorns for air inside, as that could bring problems! Then use the acorn letters for a host of learning activities.
Counting and Adding Acorns on the Light Table from Where Imagination Grows – Acrylic acorns and a light table make math practice so inviting!
5 Little Acorns Chant from The Preschool Toolbox – Make your own acorn puppets to act out the provided 5 Little Acorns chant. A sweet addition to your acorn crafts.
Acorn Number and Balancing Game from Learn with Play at Home – Roll the dice and add the correct number of acorn caps to the acorn. Painting faces on the acorns makes the activity extra fun!
Squirrel Play Dough Counting Mats from PreKinders – These free printable math mats are so cute! Preschoolers can make playdough balls to give the squirrel the correct number of “acorns.”
Acorn Science and Sensory Activities
Natural items like acorns are perfect for teaching children scientific concepts and helping them learn to explore their senses. After all the acorn crafts, be sure to try these ideas!
Acorn Bells from Fireflies and Mud Pies – Glue bells to acorn caps and you have the makings of some really imaginative play!
Acorn Sensory Bottle from Still Playing School – Acrylic acorns and glitter make a gorgeous sensory bottle, perfect for sensory play or for exploration on the light table.
Science Table Acorn Ideas from Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds – Instructions for how to set up an entire acorn and squirrel-themed science center.
Fun Ways to Play with Acorns from Picklebums – Discover why collecting things like acorns is actually really good for kids! There’s a ton of learning involved.
“Acorns Everywhere” Sensory Bin from I Heart Crafty Things – I love book-related activities! Set up a simple sensory bin that accompanies the book Acorns Everywhere by Kevin Sherry.
Autumn Squirrel Sensory Bin from Learning and Exploring through Play – Use acorns as the base of a sensory bin that encourages creative and imaginative play.
Acorn Sensory Shakers from Teach Preschool – Lots of noise and fun accompanies these acorn shakers!
Acorn-Themed Snacks
The kids will likely love helping to make these acorn-themed snacks. They’ll probably like taste-testing the snacks even better!
Sweet Acorns from Gracious Rain – Glazed donut holes make perfect acorns, especially when you use peanut butter or frosting to make the caps.
Nutter Butter Acorns from Sweet Simple Stuff – Peanut butter and chocolate combine for a match made in acorn heaven!
Acorn Oreo Cookie Balls from Where Imagination Grows – These easy Oreo Cookie Balls are easy enough to make with your preschoolers!
Was that a sufficient about of acorn awesomeness to satisfy your little squirrels? Let me know which acorn crafts, activities, and snacks they liked the best.
Fall Materials List
These acorn activities are sure to be a huge hit with your preschoolers. Looking for some more inspiration for fall? Check out the list below for some great materials to use for fall-themed activities!
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- Washable paint
- Canvas panels
- Artificial acorns
- Artificial leaves
- Metallic Sharpie markers
- Orange pipe cleaners
- Painter’s tape
- Felt fall leaves
- Tissue paper
- Paint brushes
Done-for-You Preschool Resources
Let Preschool Teacher 101 make your teaching life a whole lot easier! We save you time with fully-developed, age-appropriate lesson plans that are done for you!
Our fall lesson plans would be a great addition to your classroom. It comes with weekly plans, detailed daily plans, whole group activities, center ideas, small group lessons, book recommendations, and related printables.
Here are a few more fall-related resources you might like:
Squirrel and Acorn Books for Kids
I couldn’t end this list of acorn crafts and activities without sharing a few related books, now could I?! Encourage your students’ interests in acorns and squirrels with some of these books:
Originally published October 2016.
Lots are really fab ideas. Love the marble necklace idea
Thanks, Natasha. I think those marble necklaces are awesome too! 🙂
This was so great ! Thanks for sharing this!
Happy to, Theo! I hope you gathered some fun acorn ideas for the kids!