Squirrel crafts are honestly such a cute way for preschoolers to dive into fall and get a little crafty with nature themes. These projects sneak in some real skill-building too (cutting, gluing, all those fine motor moves) while kids learn a bit about woodland animals. Making squirrel crafts with simple materials like paper bags, toilet paper rolls, and paper plates gives preschoolers hands-on activities that build creativity and dexterity.
You probably already have most of the basic supplies lying around at home or in your classroom. The crafts here go from easy paper plate squirrels to moveable ones with printable templates. Each idea gives kids a chance to get into the autumn spirit and make something they’ll actually want to show off.
1) Paper Bag Squirrel Craft
With this one, you turn a basic brown lunch bag into a sweet little woodland creature. Grab a paper bag, some construction paper (or a printable template if you’re feeling fancy), glue, and scissors.
Kids can glue on the squirrel’s face, tail, and paws, and suddenly, it’s alive! And since it’s a bag, it doubles as a puppet for a little post-craft storytelling. Not bad for something so simple.
2) Toilet Paper Roll Squirrel
Here’s a fun way to use up those empty toilet paper rolls. Just wrap colored paper around the tube and glue it on.
Cut out a tail and ears, draw on a face, and you’ve got a squirrel that stands up by itself. Kids love seeing their creations “stand” on the table.
It’s a nice intro to recycling, and most preschoolers can handle this one with just a little help.
3) Paper Plate Squirrel
This one keeps little hands busy with cutting and painting. Cut a paper plate for the squirrel’s body, then make a big fluffy tail from another piece.
Let kids go wild painting everything in fall colors – brown, orange, red, whatever feels autumn-y. Once it dries, glue on the tail and add paper ears, eyes, and a nose. It’s messy in the best way.
4) Moveable Paper Squirrel
This one’s a little different, with moving parts so the squirrel’s head can nod and the tail can swish. It is made from simple paper cut-outs which are rolled and glued together.
Kids get to assemble the pieces and then play with their finished squirrel.
5) Dixie Cup Squirrel Craft
A small paper cup turns into a squirrel with just a bit of paint and some construction paper for the ears, feet, and fluffy tail.
There’s a lot going on here; painting, gluing, and a bit of design. It’s great for kids around 4 and up, and honestly, the finished squirrel stands up so you can use it as a cute decoration for fall.
6) DIY Acorn Squirrel
Turn a simple acorn into the cutest little squirrel with a bit of mixed media fun. Add tiny paper or felt ears, draw on a sweet face, and attach a fluffy tail made from yarn or fabric scraps.
Kids can mix and match textures and colors to give their squirrel its own personality. Simple, hands‑on, and perfect for fall, it’s a charming nature‑inspired craft that sparks creativity and imagination.
7) Toilet Paper Roll Squirrel
Empty toilet paper rolls – who doesn’t have a few? Wrap one in colored paper, glue it down, and then add a tail, ears, and a face with markers. Suddenly, you’ve got a squirrel that stands up on its own.
You’ll just need basic supplies: construction paper, scissors, glue, markers. If you want to make life easier, printable templates for the tail and ears are all over the internet.
8) Paper Plate Squirrel Face
All you need is a paper plate and a few scraps of construction paper to get started. Add simple cut‑out ears to the top, glue on googly eyes, and finish with a small triangle nose and drawn‑on whiskers.
For extra fun, kids can paint the plate in warm browns or bright orange before decorating. With minimal cutting and lots of sticking and drawing, it’s an easy, preschool‑friendly craft that comes together in no time.
9) Leaf and Pine Cone Squirrel Collage
This one starts outdoors and ends at the craft table. Print a simple squirrel outline, then head out to collect little nature treasures like leaves, acorns, pinecones, and twigs. Anything that looks interesting goes in the pile.
Back inside, kids can glue their finds onto the template to build the squirrel’s body and big bushy tail. Pinecone pieces add great texture, while colorful leaves bring warmth and personality.
10) Autumn Squirrel Art
Start by laying a squirrel cutout on a blank canvas to act as a stencil. With it in place, invite kids to splatter or spray rich fall colors like amber, crimson, and golden yellow all around.
Once the paint has dried, carefully lift away the cutout to reveal a crisp squirrel shape standing out against the burst of autumn tones. The moment the silhouette appears is pure magic and always earns an excited “wow.”