Fall Gratitude Craft: Corn & Caramel Apple Puppets

 

This hands-on craft celebrates the foods we enjoy together in fall while helping children spark conversations about fall traditions, food, and gratitude. Using simple, found, and recycled materials from around your home, children can create playful corn and caramel apple puppets.

Materials Needed:

●Popsicle sticks or found sticks from outdoors

●Construction paper (greens, red, brown)

●Tissue paper (yellow)

●Scrap fabric or felt (for caramel topping)

●Googly eyes 

●Glue sticks & hot glue (for sturdier pieces, adult help required)

●Scissors

●Glitter and glitter glue (optional but festive!)

Instructions:

🌽 Corn Puppet

1. Cut the Base – From white or light-colored construction paper, cut a corn cob shape (oval with a pointy tip).

2. Make the Husk – Cut green paper into strips or leaf shapes and glue them around the bottom sides of the cob.

3. Add Kernels – Tear or cut small pieces of yellow tissue paper, crumple them slightly, and glue onto the cob to make kernels.

4. Add Eyes & Details – Stick on googly eyes and sprinkle a little glitter for a harvest sparkle.

5. Attach the Handle – Use hot glue (with adult help) to secure a popsicle stick to the back.

(This one is simple!! My two year old was able to do most completely independently)

🍎 Caramel Apple Puppet

1. Cut the Base – Cut a rounded apple shape from red construction paper.

2. Make the Caramel – Trim a scrap of brown felt or fabric and glue it over the top of the apple to look like dripping caramel.

3. Add Eyes & Smile – Stick on googly eyes and use glitter glue or cut paper to make facial features. 

4. Decorate – Add glitter swirls or sprinkles to make your caramel apple extra festive.

5. Attach the Handle – Glue a popsicle stick to the back for holding.

Reflection & Gratitude Tie-In:

When the crafts are finished, gather together and talk about:

Foods you enjoy together in fall (apples, corn, pumpkins, fall baked goods.

How these foods remind us of harvest and gathering.

Something each child (and grown-up!) is grateful for this season.

I hope this sparks some joy! Enjoy!

Chloe