Collect leaves outside during a nature walk and return to the classroom to create a leaf-based art project. You can press the leaves on paper, fabric or other mediums to create a vibrant autumn print. You can paint large leaves with a child's hand print and dip them in wax to preserve them.
Cut the center out of a paper plate and allow children to glue leaves, buttons and other small craft items to the plate to form a wreath. Take a picture of each student and use the wreath as a frame.
For a group activity, create a leafless tree from rolled up, brown butcher paper. Tack the paper to a wall and arrange the paper into a tree trunk and branches. Cut out painted leaf prints or colored hand prints and attach these to the empty branches to create an autumn tree.
Many varieties of apples bear fruit in November; use these to create many different art projects.
Slice an apple into halves and carve patterns into the apple halves. Insert a fork into each half and use it like a stamp on paper or fabric. Combine this art project with a writing lesson by having students fashion caterpillars from small pompoms. Encourage them to shape the caterpillars into the letters in their name.
For a unusual painting experience, supply each child with a shallow cardboard box, such as a shoebox, and a piece of paper that fits in the bottom. Coat several crabapples with paint and set them in the box. Children paint their papers by shaking the box and moving the painted apples around the paper.
You can also make potpourri strings with preschoolers from dried apples and cinnamon coated noodles. Start by slicing apples of various colors into small slices and soaking them in lemon juice and water for several minutes. Soak shaped pastas in colored water until they soften. Roll the pasta in cinnamon. Use plastic needles and yarn to thread the items together and hang in a window to dry.
Make snack time into an art project with a simple edible sculpture craft using toothpicks and various small food items. First make a turkey-shaped base from Rice Krispies treats by attaching a large, flattened ball body to a small round head.
Supply each child with two mini marshmallows, two chocolate chips, three pieces of candy corn and five apple slices. Each child also needs five toothpicks and a small dish of caramel sauce to use as glue. Allow them to assemble their turkeys with apple slice feathers, marshmallow and chocolate chip eyes, and a candy corn piece for feet and a nose.
When the creation is complete, have children paint a fall background for their turkey. Photograph their food turkey in front of their painting to remember the project. Then allow them to disassemble their turkey and eat it!