Children love play dough - there is hardly a more creative and at the same time more relaxing activity in which they can fully live out their imagination. In this article you will find some great ideas on how you can make simple figures for fall with modeling clay.
We also offer you the opportunity to use ourDownload free PDF templatesand print out in A5 format or as cards. You can let the children decide which clay figure they would like to make, or give them a suitable task depending on their skills and experience. This means the activity always remains exciting and age-appropriate.
Simple kneading ideas for fall
Here are some simple figures that are perfect for fall and are easy to recreate from play dough:
Eichel
Have your child shape an acorn. Use orange playdough for the body and brown playdough for the acorn “hat”. A simple but effective exercise to promote hand-eye coordination. Older children can also use a playdough knife to imitate patterns on the acorn caps.
A tip for more realistic modeling clay acorns:Collect real acorn caps in the park and use them as a “hat” – this brings a natural touch to crafting.
More
The corn on the cob is a classic autumn motif andfor Thanksgiving. Use yellow playdough for the grains and green playdough for the leaves that encase the cob. This figure not only promotes creativity, but also an understanding of natural shapes and colors.
Blatt
Autumn leaves come in many colors. Use a mix of red, yellow and orange to create an autumnal leaf. This activity is ideal for preschoolers because it encourages simple shapes and introduces children to the beauty of fall colors. Toddlers can use cookie cutters to quickly and easily cut out the leaves from the dough.
Also interesting:Make animals out of leaves
pumpkin
A pumpkin is probably the most typical symbol of autumn. You can quickly and easily shape a pumpkin using orange modeling clay. Roll a ball out of orange playdough and use green or brown playdough for the stick. This figure is ideal for children aged 3 and over.
You can then use tools to draw lines on the pumpkin to mimic the typical grooves of real pumpkins. This makes the pumpkin even more realistic and detailed. In this article there isa simple picture guidein addition.
Pumpkin pie
Children love designing cakes. Use beige or brown play dough for the crust and orange play dough for the “pumpkin filling” or decoration. This encourages imagination and leaves room for many creative variations.
Porcini mushrooms
A particularly exciting clay idea for kindergarten and primary school children is shaping mushrooms - and at the same time you can teach them something about the different types of mushrooms. The porcini mushroom is a beautiful figure for autumn. This mushroom has a brown cap and a yellowish to beige stem, which makes it easy to reshape. The porcini mushroom is one of the most popular edible mushrooms and can be found in many forests.
Baum
Let the children have onecreate an autumn tree. The trunk can be formed from brown play dough, while the leaves are made from red, yellow or orange. This figure offers a great opportunity to talk about the changes in nature in autumn.
Beehive
You can recreate a simple beehive using yellow modeling clay. Children can add small details, such as black stripes or a small door for the bees.
umbrella
The umbrella is a fun figure that can be designed with colorful modeling clay. The children can make the handle out of black modeling clay and decorate the umbrella in their favorite colors.
Pine cones
The pine cone is a slightly more complex figure, but can be easily formed with a little practice. Brown modeling clay is used here to model the typical scales of the cone.
carrot
A carrot can be easily recreated using orange and green play dough. This figure is ideal for younger children as it is easy to sculpt yet fun.
Age-appropriate instructions
Depending on age and skill, these clay ideas can be adapted to your child's ability:
- Preschool children (3-4 years)
At this age, children are developing their fine motor skills, and simple shapes like pumpkins, leaves, or simple trees are ideal. These simple motifs help develop an understanding of colors and shapes and provide a great opportunity to develop hand-eye coordination. It is often helpful if you as a parent or carer provide some guidance. - Kindergarten children (5-6 years)
Children at this age already have more advanced motor skills and can try out more detailed figures such as mushrooms, pine cones or acorns. These clay figures invite imaginative play and give children the opportunity to experiment with different textures and colors. - Primary school children (7-8 years)
Older children can try more complex clay creations, such as a detailed cake or an umbrella with fine details. This age group often enjoys following step-by-step instructions while expressing their creativity. The figures can be designed to represent realistic or imaginative variations.
Crafting with playdough is a great way to encourage children to play and introduce them to autumn in a creative way. With fall playdough templates, you can ensure there is something for every child - from simple pumpkins to detailed umbrellas. Download the PDF file now and let your children immerse themselves in the colorful world of play dough!
Finally, a tip: If you are looking for more creative craft ideas for autumn, then be sure to take a look at our other articles. There you will find even more inspiring ideas for kneading and crafting:
