Fall is bursting with colors and is the perfect time to make an autumn-themed collage. Today we’ll build layers of pumpkin prints and cutouts using unique papers and printing tools as we create a Fall Newspaper Collage Art Project. Children will love the active process of stamping with cups and cookie cutters as they build layer upon layer of overlapping colors and shapes. Let’s feel the cool air, smell that pumpkin spice, and embrace the fall season!
Fall Facts for Kids
- The fall season gets its name from the leaves that fall from trees this time of year.
- Another name for the fall season is autumn.
- The dates for fall vary by a day or two each year, as fall starts based on the autumnal equinox, when the sun crosses the equator, and ends with the winter solstice. Typically fall begins around September 21st or 22nd and ends on December 20th.
- In the United States Halloween, Veteran’s Day and Thanksgiving take place in the fall.
- The four seasons are winter, spring, summer, and fall.
MORE FALL ACTIVITIES AND INFORMATION FOR KIDS: FALL THEME PLANNING GUIDE
Collage for Kids
I love the freedom that this collage art lesson offers children of various ages and ability levels. They are able to glue items where they wish and stamp about with no rules or restrictions. Collage is a wonderful way to introduce a variety of unique art materials to young learners to explore. Numerous textures, colors, and shapes will come together in an organic celebration of the fall season!
Materials
- Black Paper
- Crayola Fluorescent Tempera Paint
- Plastic Cups
- Newspaper
- Watercolors
- Brush
- Cookie Cutters
- Scissors
- Glue Stick
Step By Step Directions for Fall Newspaper Collage Art Project
First Layer: Circles of fun
Use a cup to print circles onto black paper. Dip the open end of the cup into paint and hop on the paper. I love to use Crayola Fluorescent Tempera paint. The colors are extremely vibrant and bold! Let the paint dry.
Teacher Tip: Small PlayDoh plastic containers work great as a printing tool as they are sturdy and easy for little hands to grip.
Second Layer: Newspaper Pumpkins
Draw a variety of pumpkins on a piece of newspaper. The comics and sports sections are often a safe and age-appropriate choice. If you wish, include other fall items such as leaves and acorns. A Halloween theme can also be explored by cutting out jack o’lantern pieces or even playful ghosts. Choose what most interests your child.
Use watercolors to paint the items with an array of fall colors. You may choose to leave some of the items unpainted. I recommend putting a placemat underneath the newspaper to soak up the excess water.
After the paint dries, cut out all of the pumpkins.
Glue the pumpkins on the black paper.
Teacher Tip: I recommend applying the glue to the black paper and placing the cutouts on top. Applying glue to the newspaper may be frustrating as the newspaper is thin and may rip.
Third Layer: Cookie Cutter Stamping
Print with a variety of cookie cutters. You may wish to use pumpkin, leaf, ghost, bat, or sunflower cookie cutters. Dip one side into paint and stamp onto your paper.
Talk About Art
- Compare and contrast painting with watercolors vs. printing with tempera paint. Which technique did you enjoy more?
- How many circles can you find in your artwork?
- Name a few things you see during the fall season.
Art and Literacy
I recommend the book I See Fall by Charles Ghigna as a great literacy companion to this lesson. The reader goes on an autumn nature walk seeing pumpkins, leaves, apples, and more! Holidays that take place during the fall season are also highlighted.
MORE FALL BOOK SUGGESTIONS: 20 Favorite Fall Books for Kids
I encourage you to try this creative fall collage art activity with your young students in the classroom or as an art at home activity. Please be sure to tag @fantasticfunandlearning and @youngschoolartwithmr.g on Instagram so we can see your creations!
CONNECT WITH VIN GIANNETTO
Learn more about Vin here on his author bio page. Follow along with him on Facebook at Young School Art with Mr. Giannetto and on Instagram @youngschoolartwithmr.g for art project ideas.
MORE ART AND CRAFT PROJECT IDEAS FROM VIN
Creative Ways to Paint with Carrots
Build a Flower with Air Dry Clay
Decorate a Tree Loose Parts Play
Paper Sculpture Relief Ocean Craft
Recycled Art for Kids: Boats in the Sea
Printing Fall Leaves Art Project for Kids
Halloween Art for Kids: Flip the Painting Process
Tinfoil Process Art Christmas Ornaments
DIY Muffin Tin Maze Game STEM Challenge for Kids
Build a Small World with Nature
Sandcastle Texture Summer Art Project
Christmas Tree Craft Loose Parts
Polar Bear Art Project for Kids
Ice Painting Process Art Project for Kids
Loose Parts Recycled Rabbit Art Project
Flower Art Project Using Kitchen Utensil Prints
Crumpled Paper Caterpillar Craft
PRINTABLE FALL THEME LESSON PLANS
Save time and get right to the playful learning with our printable lesson plan sets. Each set includes over 30 playful learning activities related to the theme, and we’ve provided different versions for home preschool families and classroom teachers so all activities are geared directly toward your needs.
GET YOUR LESSON PLANS
Also available on Teachers Pay Teachers.
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