Fall String Art – Easy Craft Project for Kids!
Sometimes, when I’m feeling exceptionally crafty, I’ll walk through a store like HomeGoods, see something on the shelf and say, “Oh, I could make that!” and then, when I’m feeling exceptionally cocky, I’ll say “Oh, my KIDS could make that!” and then, we try. Sometimes it turns out, sometimes it doesn’t. But hey, it’s always fun to try, and this was one of those times that it turned out so, so cute. Turns out, fall string art is a perfect project to bring the spirit of the season into your home (and save money!) while keeping little hands busy. Using simple supplies like yarn, glue, and water balloons, you and your kids can create charming apples and pumpkins that look adorable on your fall mantel or dining table and look JUST as good at the store bought ones!
It’s pretty easy! Here’s how:
Supplies You’ll Need
- Water balloons (the small size works best)
- Red, green, and orange yarn (or any fall colors you love)
- White school glue or mod podge
- A small bowl
- Scissors
- Sticks, green pipe cleaners, or construction paper (for stems and leaves)
- Wax paper or parchment paper for drying
How to Make Fall String Art
- Blow up the balloons – Inflate the water balloons to the size you’d like your apples or pumpkins to be. Small, round balloons give the best shape.
- Prepare the glue mixture – Mix equal parts white school glue or mod podge and water in a bowl. Stir until combined. I find that if I add a little less water, things are definitely stickier and harder to work with, but dry so much faster. So, pick your poison there – if you’re impatient, use less water and deal with stickier crafting. If you’ve got the patience of a saint, more water and an easy time of putting it together.
- Dip the yarn – Cut yarn into as long as manageable lengths – I would say that 4-6ft is a good spot for me. Dip each piece into the glue mixture, coating it thoroughly.
- Wrap the balloon – Carefully wrap the glue-soaked yarn around the balloon in different directions. Keep going until you like the look — a fuller wrap makes a sturdier pumpkin or apple, while looser wraps give a more delicate look.
- Let it dry – Place your wrapped balloons on wax paper and allow them to dry overnight (at least 12–24 hours). I found that to get the slightly more “smushed” pumpkin look, placing a piece of wax paper over the top of them, then a cookie sheet and then something slightly weighted (we used a 5 minute stories book, because that’s the era of life we’re in) and allowing them to dry that way works great!
- Pop and remove the balloon – Once dry, gently pop the balloon with a pin or scissors. Pull it out carefully, leaving behind your yarn shape.
- Add stems and leaves – For apples, a wooden stem and pipe cleaner leaf at the top. For pumpkins, a wooden stem and add curly vines. I found using green yarn in the glue/water mixture and wrapping it around a chopstick instead of balloon, letting it dry and carefully pulling it off the end gave the cutest curly vines! The wooden stems are literally just pieces of a stick that I found on the driveway and cut. Keep it simple!
Now you’ve got festive string apples and pumpkins ready to display!
Why Kids Love This Craft
- Hands-on creativity: Kids get to dip, wrap, and design their creations however they like.
- Tactile play: Working with glue and yarn is a sensory experience, great for younger kids. My oldest took a while to warm up to this (he’s always been more sensory cautious) but when he saw how cool the balloons looked covered in string, he dove right in!
- Fine motor skills: Wrapping yarn helps strengthen little fingers and hand-eye coordination.
- Imagination and ownership: Each apple or pumpkin looks different, giving kids the joy of creating something unique.
Why Parents Love It Too
- Family bonding: This is an activity you can do side by side with your kids, chatting and laughing as you craft.
- Simple supplies: Everything you need is inexpensive and easy to find.
- Beautiful results: The finished pumpkins and apples make wonderful fall decorations or gifts for grandparents, teachers, or neighbors.
Make It Your Own
- Try using different colors of yarn for rainbow apples or glitter yarn for sparkly pumpkins.
- Add cinnamon sticks as stems to make them smell like fall.
- Create a whole string art orchard and pumpkin patch to decorate your home for the season.
Fall string art is messy in the best way — sticky fingers, giggles, and memories in the making. Whether you’re looking for a fun weekend activity, a creative homeschool project, or a way to get into the fall spirit, this craft is sure to become a family favorite.
Want to keep the festive fall vibes going? Check out some of our other favorite fall crafts or favorite fall beverages!
