5 Easy Fall Crafts You Can Make with Dollar Store Finds

Fall is the perfect time to cozy up your home with DIY fall decor, but you don’t need a big budget to create a stunning seasonal look. With just a quick trip to the Dollar Store, you can find everything you need for easy fall crafts that bring warmth and charm to any space. From pumpkin decorations and leaf garlands to autumn wreaths and harvest centerpieces, these budget-friendly projects are simple, fun, and perfect for crafters of all skill levels.

Whether you’re decorating for Thanksgiving, hosting a fall gathering, or just want to add a touch of seasonal flair to your home, these dollar store crafts will inspire you to get creative without overspending. Grab your glue gun, gather your supplies, and let’s dive into 5 easy and affordable fall craft ideas that will transform your space into an autumn wonderland!

1. Mini Pumpkin Centerpiece

This elegant yet simple centerpiece brings autumn charm to any table setting. Using inexpensive foam or plastic pumpkins from the dollar store, you can create a high-end looking display that would cost much more at home decor stores. The magic happens when you transform basic orange pumpkins with metallic paints and natural accents.

How to Create It:

1. Start with 5-7 small foam pumpkins in varying sizes
2. Lightly sand surfaces for better paint adhesion
3. Apply 2-3 thin coats of metallic spray paint, allowing drying time between coats
4. Arrange painted pumpkins on a wooden tray or cake stand
5. Tuck in sprigs of faux greenery and pinecones between pumpkins
6. Add a pillar candle or battery-operated tea light for ambiance

Picture this: Your dining table adorned with a shimmering pumpkin arrangement that catches the flickering candlelight, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for fall gatherings.

Amazon Alternatives:

• Metallic spray paint set
• Wooden display tray

2. Burlap Leaf Garland

Nothing says “fall” like a beautiful leaf garland draped across your mantel or staircase. This project takes basic burlap leaves (or fabric you cut yourself) and elevates them into a stunning seasonal decoration. The beauty of this garland lies in its versatility – make it rustic with twine and wood beads, or elegant with metallic-painted edges and velvet ribbons.

How to Create It:

1. Cut 15-20 leaf shapes from burlap fabric using a template
2. Use fabric stiffener to help leaves hold their shape
3. Paint edges with gold or copper acrylic for a luxe touch
4. String leaves onto jute twine, alternating directions
5. Add wooden beads between some leaves for visual interest
6. Hang and fluff leaves to create dimension

Picture this: A gracefully draped garland cascading down your staircase railing, its textured leaves catching the light as they move gently in the breeze from your heating vent, bringing natural warmth to your home’s entryway.

Amazon Alternatives:

• Pre-cut burlap leaves
• Wooden bead assortment

3. Mason Jar Lanterns

Turn ordinary mason jars into enchanting autumn luminaries that cast a warm, golden glow throughout your home. These DIY lanterns are perfect for porch steps, tabletops, or even hanging from shepherd’s hooks along a garden path. The beauty of this project lies in how the light dances through the painted designs, creating mesmerizing patterns in the evening.

How to Create It:

1. Clean and dry mason jars thoroughly
2. Use leaf-shaped stencils or freehand paint fall motifs (like acorns or trees)
3. Mix 1 part acrylic paint with 1 part water for a translucent effect
4. Wrap the jar’s neck with twine and attach a small cinnamon stick bundle
5. Insert a battery-operated tea light for safe, flickering illumination

Picture this: A row of these hand-painted jars lining your porch railing, their soft amber light welcoming guests while the crisp autumn air carries the subtle scent of cinnamon.

Amazon Alternatives:

• Mason jar multipack
• Battery tea lights

4. Pinecone Door Hanger

Create a stunning natural wreath alternative using pinecones collected from your yard or purchased at the dollar store. This rustic-chic door decoration combines nature’s textures with seasonal embellishments for a welcoming statement piece. The varying sizes of pinecones create wonderful dimension and visual interest.

How to Create It:

1. Hot glue pinecones in concentric circles on a cardboard ring
2. Spray paint the entire piece in matte white or copper for uniformity
3. Tuck in preserved eucalyptus stems for greenery
4. Add a burlap bow with wire-edged ribbon for structure
5. Attach a loop of sturdy ribbon for hanging

Picture this: Your front door adorned with this textural masterpiece, the pinecones’ natural patterns catching the sunlight by day and creating dramatic shadows by night.

Amazon Alternatives:

• Artificial pinecones
• Burlap ribbon

5. Harvest Sign with Wooden Letters

Personalize your fall decor with a charming wooden sign featuring seasonal phrases like “Gather” or “Thankful.” This project transforms basic wooden craft letters into a meaningful display piece that adds warmth to any space. The distressed paint technique gives it vintage farmhouse appeal.

How to Create It:

1. Lightly sand wooden letters for better paint adhesion
2. Apply base coat of chalk paint in cream or gray
3. Once dry, lightly sand edges to reveal some bare wood
4. Stain with walnut gel stain for an aged look
5. Arrange letters on a painted wooden board or canvas
6. Embellish with small faux sunflowers or wheat stalks

Picture this: This heartfelt sign resting on your entryway console, its timeworn appearance telling a story of autumns past while welcoming the new season.

Amazon Alternatives:

• Wooden letter set
• Chalk paint set