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Make Stuffed Paper Bag Acorn Portraits
Amanda Eldridge
These stuffed paper bag acorn portraits are an adorable fall art project for kids and a lovely autumn craft you can fill with seasonal surprises…
What a nut, right?! These silly acorns are STUFFED with personality (among other things) and make an adorable addition to the fall craft lineup or Thanksgiving/holiday kids’ table. You can use them as a standalone art project, or make them functional by filling them with little treats or trinkets.
Play the quick tutorial video below to watch the easy process!
You can add all sorts of details to make this 3D nutty buddy YOURS. Tuck yarn, dry grasses, or felt under the cap for wonderful hair. Add some decorative flair to their little chapeaux. Use wild colors, fun patterns, or stamped and sprayed textures.
For more fall paper bag crafts, hop over to the DIYs for our paper bag mushrooms and black cat luminaries. Or visit our whole collection of kids’ autumn paper bag projects!
To make your own paper bag acorns, you’ll need:
Note: We prefer to shop locally or use what we have at home, but this list contains Woodpeckers Crafts, Etsy, Blick Art Materials, Bookshop.org and/or Amazon affiliate links for reference. As affiliates (and Amazon Associates), we make a small commission on qualifying purchases.*
BASIC SUPPLIES:
- A paper lunch bag or paper grocery bag
- Tempera or acrylic paint and a paintbrush or foam brush
- Scrap paper
- Scissors
- A glue stick
- Twine
- Stuffing (shredded paper, bags, dry leaves, etc.)
- A twig
OPTIONAL SUPPLIES:
- Natural decorative supplies like dried grass, raffia, moss, twigs, pinecone petals, etc.
- Decorative craft supplies like stickers, buttons, ribbons, etc.
- Paint sticks or paint pens
How to Make Paper Bag Acorns and Portraits – DIY Instructions:
Follow our easy step-by-step tutorial to make your own acorn paper bag craft for a back-to-school display, fun fall art project, or the cutest Thanksgiving kids’ table activity.
Paint or use paper scraps to make a face on a paper bag.
Use paints, scrap paper and a glue stick, or crayons and markers to make a face on the front of a paper bag. It can be a self-portrait, someone else’s face, or just a silly character you make up as you go.
We’ll be folding the top half of the bag down to create a cap, so make sure your face fits on the bottom third. You can use the horizontal fold line as a good marker – stay underneath that, and you’re good to go!
Stuff the paper bag.
Once you’ve finished making your face, stuff the bottom third of the bag with shredded paper, bags, dry leaves, polyfill, or anything else you can think of.
The more tightly packed the stuffing, the more your face will fill out and hold its shape, so make sure you have enough material to be able to really pack it in!
Tie closed with twine.
Gather the bag at the center and use a piece of twine, string, or ribbon to tie a knot around the bag after being stuffed.
Roll the top of the paper bag down to make an acorn cap.
Gently roll down the top of the bag and form into a rounded acorn cap.
Paint the paper bag acorn cap.
To make your cap stand out, paint the whole acorn cap with a base color.
Next, paint or draw crisscrossing lines to create a typical acorn cap texture.
Insert a twig to make the acorn stem.
Grab a good stick and pop it into the small hole in the middle of the cap. Yahoo! Your cut little paper bag acorn is ready to impress!
I mean, just ABSOLUTELY darling. The faces are so full of character, and they really bring some welcome warmth to the chilly fall landscape!
Brown paper lunch bags are a great size for little hands, but you can also go BIGGER by using grocery bags, or go for SERIOUS size with a leaf bag!
More Acorn Activities and Fall Fun for Kids
Ah, autumn – the season of pumpkin-spiced lattes, cozy sweaters, and acorns galore! But if you think these cute little nut-caps are just squirrel snacks or ‘oak babies,’ you’re in for a pleasant surprise! So, grab your mini craft-masters, and let’s dive into some acorn-tastic crafts, activities, and reading!
Engaging Fall Acorn Crafts and Play Ideas
Help little ones celebrate fall with a few adorable acorn fine motor skill activities.
Decorate the printable acorn templates in our fall favorites bundle for a fantastic autumn drawing prompt (and a 2D version of this project that may be easier for little hands).
Use our free printable 3D acorn PDFs to make your own paper acorn boxes. These nifty little nut cups are not only fun to create but double up as super storage for your tot’s treasures, kids Thanksgiving table decorations, or maybe even that secret stash of Halloween candy (don’t worry, we won’t tell!).
Looking for a great excuse to get outside and enjoy the autumn weather? Head outside for an acorn scavenger hunt, then dry and paint acorns for play.
12 Acorn-Themed Picture Books for Kids Fall Bookish Play
As the air turns crisp and the leaves begin to fall, there’s no better time to cozy up with your kiddos and dive nose-first into a pile of acorn tales. A hot cup of apple cider and a whimsical acorn-themed story, creating a world of imagination for your kiddos – that’s the kind of autumn magic we’re talking about!
Wrap yourself up in your comfiest blanket, rustle up your squirreliest little readers, and let’s embark on a literary adventure full of acorn antics and fall fun with a curated list of acorn picture book favorites to pair with nut-inspired crafting…
- Acorn Was a Little Wild – by Jen Arena: This book is a fun-filled exploration of individuality and acceptance, following the tale of a wild little acorn that didn’t want to grow up like the other oaks. A must-read for anyone wanting to encourage their kids to embrace their uniqueness. It’ll surely spark lively conversations about self-expression and being true to oneself.
- Treemendous: Diary of a Not Yet Mighty Oak by Bridget Heos: This engaging diary-style story provides a captivating perspective on the life of an oak tree from a little acorn. Perfect for nurturing a love of nature in your children, this story also subtly teaches them about resilience and perseverance, showing that growth takes time, and that’s okay.
- The Oak Inside the Acorn by Max Lucado: This beautifully illustrated book tells the story of an acorn’s journey into a mighty oak. It helps kids understand the potential within them and encourages self-discovery, a perfect tale for parents who want to inspire their children to find and embrace their uniqueness.
- The Golden Acorn by Katy Hudson: This captivating tale tells the story of a squirrel who wins the ‘Golden Acorn Hunt’ every year but realizes winning isn’t everything when he lands in a spot of trouble. I recommend this story for its potent mix of fun and wisdom — it’s a fantastic way to teach our little ones about teamwork, friendship, and the real meaning of success, all set against the backdrop of a thrilling woodland adventure.
- Little Acorn by Melanie Joyce: This delightful book tells the charming story of an acorn’s journey to becoming a grand oak tree. I’d recommend it to all parents and educators as a fantastic tool for teaching kids about growth, patience, and the natural world. Plus, it subtly instills the idea that great things often have humble beginnings – a valuable life lesson.
- Acorns Everywhere! by Kevin Sherry: This is a funny and engaging book about a squirrel and his obsession with acorns. It’s perfect for educators and parents wanting to inject humor into reading time while teaching children about wildlife.
- Because of an Acorn by Lola M. Schaefer and Adam Schaefer: This book beautifully illustrates the life cycle of an oak tree and the vital role acorns play in the ecosystem. It’s an excellent educational tool for parents and teachers aiming to teach children about life cycles and nature.
- In a Nutshell by Joseph Anthony: An enchanting tale that beautifully illustrates the life cycle of an oak tree from an acorn. This is a great pick for parents looking to imbue their kids with an appreciation of nature’s wonders. Plus, its stunningly detailed illustrations are sure to keep little ones captivated, making it an ideal book for those cozy fall reading sessions.
- Scaredy Squirrel by Melanie Watt: Though not strictly about acorns, this fun and quirky book follows the adventures of a squirrel and his beloved acorns. It’s ideal for parents who want to teach their kids about dealing with fears and embracing new experiences.
- Oak Tree by Gordon Morrison: This educational and engaging book chronicles the journey of an acorn growing into an oak tree. A great choice for educators looking to blend science and storytelling.
- The Squirrel’s Family Tree by Beth Ferry: This is a wonderful story that integrates family, nature, and the role of acorns in a squirrel’s life. It’s perfect for educators looking to inspire a love for family and nature in children.
- Brown Bear Wood: Grand Old Oak and the Birthday Ball by Rachel Piercey: While the age of a beloved Oak Tree is the central theme of this fun book, the fabulous illustrations feature an abundance of acorns that kids can search for as they flip through the visually-engaging pages.
More Fall Paper Bag Crafts for Kids
When the leaves start their annual color dance, there’s no better way to welcome the season than with a fun-filled paper bag craft extravaganza! You’re about to delve into the magical world of crinkly brown paper, where anything is possible with a little glue, some creativity, and a dash of fall flair.
Help your little ones make cozy homes and learn about hibernation with a cute paper bag bear den.
No autumnal craft agenda is complete without trying our magical paper bag mushroom project! With just a few household supplies, you can create a homegrown forest of fantastic handcrafted fungi. These delightful ‘shrooms make the perfect accessory for any fall-inspired playset or fairy garden. Plus, they’re 100% gnome approved!
We’ve put together an eclectic collection of our favorite autumn paper bag crafts from across the web. We’re talking adorable paper bag owls, stunning paper bag art, wearable whimsical wings, and woodland animals – even a few paper bag crafts just for Halloween! This collection will keep those tiny hands busy and spark creativity, all while keeping the spirit of fall alive.
Kids’ Fall Leaf Crafts and Activities
As the leaves start to change colors and pumpkin spice lattes take over the world, it’s time to trade in those beach toys for some super-fun fall crafts. Fall into a whirlwind of colorful leaves and endless fun with these autumn-inspired kids’ leaf crafts and activities…
Feast your eyes on these 15 stellar ideas for fall paper leaf crafts (no real leaves necessary!). With our free printable leaf template bundle, you can create an autumn wonderland right in your living room.
Year after year, these stunning mixed media fall leaf collages are one of our most popular projects. Your kiddos will love the tactile creation and fun art-making process – each one is guaranteed to be a one-of-a-kind, fridge-worthy masterpiece.
Awaken the puppeteers in your little artists with some paper leaf fall stick puppets. With our leaf templates, some popsicle sticks, and your child’s boundless imagination, you’ll have an entire cast of leafy characters ready to star in the next living room puppet show.
Help set the mood for all these festive fall play with our autumn playlist on Spotify. Happy fall, y’all!
*A note about affiliate links: We strive to use simple, earth-friendly supplies that can be purchased locally whenever we can, but sometimes we find the best universally available options, a rare eco-friendly find, or a niche product only available on Blick Art Materials, Amazon, Etsy, or Woodpeckers Crafts. When included in our supply list, these products are affiliate links, and if you click through to make a purchase we receive a small commission that helps us re-order these supplies!
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