25 Easy Apple Crafts for Preschoolers: Fun Fine Motor Activities (Free Printables!)

EMMA BLAKE
Preschool children creating apple crafts for preschoolers with colorful paper, scissors, and glue, in a bright classroom environment.

Are you looking for the best apple crafts for preschoolers to engage your kids, boost their creativity, and support early learning? This mega guide covers everything—classic crafts, printables, science and sensory activities, 3D apple crafts, Minecraft apple projects, and even apple crafts for adults and with real apples!

Every project includes detailed instructions, learning benefits, and resources. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or homeschooler, you’ll find apple crafts for preschoolers for every skill level, season, and classroom need.

Apple Crafts for Preschoolers: Easy Ideas for Little Hands

Preschoolers making apple crafts using paper plates, glue, and paint. Apple crafts for preschoolers at a classroom table activity.

Apple crafts for preschoolers are more than just fun—they’re perfect for fine motor skills, sensory exploration, and early learning. Here’s a giant list of apple art projects for preschoolers, using simple supplies you probably already have.

1. Apple Printing

Skills Developed: Pattern recognition, sensory play
Materials: Apples, knife (for adult), washable paint, glue, googly eyes, easel paper
Instructions:

  • Cut apples in half for a flat stamping surface.
  • Dip apple halves into paint and stamp onto paper to make patterns.
  • Add googly eyes to stamped apples for a silly twist.
  • Optional: Use a free printable apple craft template for added structure.
Child using real apples and washable paint for apple printing, making patterns for apple crafts for preschoolers on white paper.

2. Handprint Apples

Create lasting keepsakes with this classic craft.

  • Paint your child’s hand red, green, or yellow and press onto cardstock.
  • Use as a back-to-school card, letter “A” activity, or just a sweet memory.
  • Add leaf and stem details with a marker.
Child pressing hand painted red onto cardstock to create apple handprint craft, markers and paint for apple crafts for preschoolers

3. Ripped Paper Apple Craft

Develops: Fine motor skills, focus
Materials: White cardstock, colored construction paper, glue stick, free apple craft template
How-To:

  • Print out the apple template.
  • Tear red, green, or yellow paper into small pieces.
  • Glue pieces inside the apple outline to fill the shape.
  • Use construction paper for stem/leaf if desired.
Child’s hands gluing ripped red and green paper pieces onto an apple craft template, apple crafts for preschoolers printable.

4. Cotton Ball Apple Tree Craft

A tactile apple tree project!

  • Make a tree trunk from brown construction paper and glue onto your base.
  • Use cotton balls (held with clothespins) dipped in green paint for the leaves.
  • Dip fingers into red paint and dab on “apples.”
Preschooler making a cotton ball apple tree craft using green paint, clothespins, and red dots for apples, apple crafts for preschoolers

5. Toilet Paper Roll Apples

Turn trash into treasure!

  • Paint a toilet paper roll white; let it dry.
  • Glue on black beans as seeds.
  • Add cupcake liners (top and bottom) and a stick for the stem.
  • Attach a leaf made from green cardstock.
Child making apple crafts for preschoolers with a toilet paper roll, cupcake liners, black beans, and green cardstock leaf

6. Apple Tree Handprint Craft

Mix tracing, painting, and fingerprints for a cute keepsake.

  • Trace and cut out your child’s hand and arm (trunk).
  • Paint hand green for foliage, use red fingerprints for apples.
  • Glue all onto a sheet for display.
Child displays an apple tree handprint craft, painted green and brown, with red apples, perfect for apple crafts for preschoolers.

7. Paper Plate Apple Craft

  • Tear red construction paper and glue to a paper plate.
  • Add a brown stem and green leaf.
  • Ideal for young preschoolers or groups.
Paper plate apple craft made with torn red paper, brown stem, and green leaf, perfect apple crafts for preschoolers classroom art

8. Pinecone Apples

  • Paint pinecones red, green, or yellow.
  • Cut out and glue paper stem and leaf.
  • Great nature walk follow-up!
Preschoolers painting pinecones as apple crafts for preschoolers, using red, green, and yellow paint at a classroom craft table.

9. Stuffed Bag Apple Craft

  • Paint a paper bag red; let dry.
  • Stuff with crumpled newspaper.
  • Tie with twine, glue on a leaf, and display.
Child tying twine on red stuffed bag apple craft, filled with newspaper, green leaf, for apple crafts for preschoolers activity table.

10. Apple Tree Alphabet Matching

  • Make a paper tree.
  • Write letters on dot stickers (apples) and on the tree.
  • Kids match apple stickers to the tree for letter recognition.
Preschooler matching apple-shaped letter magnets to a tree chart on a whiteboard, apple crafts for preschoolers alphabet activity

11. Paper Loop Apple Tree

  • Make a trunk from brown paper.
  • Form green construction paper loops, glue as tree foliage.
  • Glue red tissue paper “apples” on the tree.
Paper loop apple tree craft using green loops for leaves and red tissue apples, a creative apple crafts for preschoolers classroom project.

12. Parts of an Apple Craft

  • Use a paper plate, paint, and printable “parts of an apple” labels.
  • Assemble and glue on labels to learn apple anatomy.
A colorful paper plate craft showing parts of an apple, labeled skin, flesh, seeds, stem, and leaf, for apple crafts for preschoolers.

13. Apple Suncatchers

  • Cut an apple shape from cardstock, hollow out the center.
  • Stick contact paper behind, fill with colored tissue paper, and seal.
  • Hang in a window for bright color!
Apple crafts for preschoolers—colorful apple suncatchers made with tissue paper, sunlight shining through classroom window display.

14. Fingerprint Apple Resist

  • Tape a printable apple template on cardstock.
  • Kids make fingerprints around the template.
  • Remove the template for a resist effect.
Fingerprint apple resist craft with colorful fingerprint dots, apple shape, and paint, perfect for apple crafts for preschoolers.

15. Apple Letter Match

  • Use a free printable letter-matching activity.
  • Kids match stickers, dot markers, or mini erasers to the correct letters.
Apple letter match activity for preschoolers with printable worksheet, apple-shaped letter tokens, and a child’s hand matching letters.

16. Apple Tree Name Craft

  • Build a tree from paper.
  • Cut out apple shapes, write letters of child’s name, and glue in order.
Apple crafts for preschoolers—paper apple tree with red apple cutouts, each with a letter, spelling names for a creative classroom craft.

17. Fine Motor Apple Crafts (Beading)

  • String pony beads onto pipe cleaners, bend into apple shapes.
  • Add a green pipe cleaner for a leaf.
Fine motor apple crafts for preschoolers using red and green pipe cleaners shaped like apples, decorated with colorful pony beads.

18. Apple Number Puzzles

  • Cut out cardboard apple shapes, paint and cut in half.
  • Write numbers on one side, glue matching beans on the other.
  • Kids match numbers to quantities.
Apple number puzzles for preschoolers, matching numbers to beans for counting, hands-on math activity, apple crafts for preschoolers

19. Apple Sensory Bag

  • Draw apple trees on a ziplock bag with a Sharpie.
  • Add gel, poms, or small objects inside.
  • Kids move the “apples” to different trees for counting practice.
Apple crafts for preschoolers sensory bag station with ziplock bags, apples, colorful pom-poms, and classroom materials, no words

20. Letter A Apple Craft

  • Print/cut a large letter “A.”
  • Use apple prints or stickers to decorate.
Letter A apple craft decorated with apple stickers, surrounded by paint pots and stamps, perfect for preschoolers’ apple crafts

21. School Color by Code

  • Print color-by-number apple sheets.
  • Kids color sections according to the number code.
Apple crafts for preschoolers color-by-code sheet on a classroom table, surrounded by colorful crayons, ready for coloring fun.

22. Apple Lifecycle Craft

  • Use free printable lifecycle pieces to make a mini book.
  • Cut, paste, color, and staple to create an interactive story of how apples grow.
Apple lifecycle craft for preschoolers showing hands assembling a colorful mini book with each stage of the apple life cycle

Apple Crafts for Preschoolers Printable: Activities & Free Resources

Printables make prepping apple crafts for preschoolers a breeze for home or classroom!

Featured Printable Apple Crafts

Printable apple craft templates, red and green paper, scissors, glue sticks, and crayons for preschoolers on a wooden table for creative fun.

Paper Plate Apple Craft

  • Free printable template (apple, stem, leaf, facial features)
  • Paint a plate, trace, cut, and assemble
  • Video tutorial included (for visual learners)
  • Skill focus: fine motor, creativity

Easy Paper Apple Craft

  • Free template for paper strip apples—just print, cut, and assemble for a 3D effect

Candy Apple Craft for Kids

  • Decorate a candy apple on a printable template using craft supplies for apple crafts for preschoolers.

Apple Tree Painting with Cotton Balls

  • Use a printable branch template, paint with cotton balls, stamp apples with cork for apple crafts for preschoolers.

Apple Fingerprint Worm Craft

  • Make apples using fingerprints; add a worm for extra fun

Paper Plate Apple Lacing Craft

  • Punch holes in a paper plate apple and lace with yarn (fine motor skills)

Apple Bookmark Corner Craft

Paper Plate Bitten Apple Craft

  • Use a handprint and plate for a bitten apple effect

Apple Name Craft for Kids

  • Build a name tree using printable apple shapes

More Printables:

  • Apple tracing worksheets (pre-writing)
  • Dot-to-dot apple sheets (connect the dots)
  • Apple life cycle worksheets (science)
  • Fall counting and matching worksheets
  • Printable fall bookmarks

How to Access Free Printables:

  1. Scroll to the end of the relevant blog post.
  2. Click “Click Here To Get Your Freebie.”
  3. Enter your email.
  4. Confirm via the link sent to your email.
  5. Download the PDF/template.

Free Printable Apple Crafts: Templates & Worksheets

Many apple crafts for preschoolers are even easier with free printable templates and worksheets.

Printable apple craft templates and worksheets with red and green paper apples, crayons, scissors, and glue on a wooden table for preschoolers.

Types of Free Printables:

  • Paper plate apple craft templates (for coloring, assembling)
  • Parts of an apple printable labels
  • Letter A apple craft templates
  • Color-by-code apple/school sheets
  • “All About Me” printable booklet (back to school)
  • Apple dot marker sheets
  • Apple do-a-dot printables
  • Apple pattern worksheets
  • Fall matching and counting sheets

Apple Craft Template: How to Use & What’s Included

Templates help make apple crafts for preschoolers more accessible, especially for large groups or busy classrooms.

What You Need:

  • 2 sheets printer paper
  • Card stock (red, green, brown, off-white, black)
  • Printable “A is for Apple Craft” templates
  • Glue stick, pencil, marker, scissors

Assembly Steps:

  1. Print out the apple craft template.
  2. Cut all template pieces.
  3. Trace the letter A and apple parts onto card stock.
  4. Cut out traced pieces.
  5. Glue the apple core onto a background.
  6. Glue the letter A over the core.
  7. Draw veins on the leaf; glue leaf and stem to apple.
  8. Glue seeds in place.

Templates aren’t just for paper crafts. Use them for felt, foam, or fabric apple crafts for preschoolers projects as well!

Apple Craft Ideas: Themed Inspiration for All Ages

Here’s a master list of apple-themed craft inspiration, from classic stamping to unique adult DIYs—perfect for anyone interested in apple crafts for preschoolers.

Classic and Kid-Friendly Ideas

  • Apple stamping with paint and googly eyes
  • Handprint apples (memory keepsakes)
  • Torn paper apple crafts (with free printables)
  • Cotton ball apple tree crafts (with clothespins and finger painting)
  • Toilet paper roll apples (recycled craft)
  • Pinecone apples (nature-based)
  • Stuffed paper bag apples (sensory + decor)
  • Apple tree alphabet matching
  • Paper loop apple trees (3D)
  • Apple suncatchers (tissue paper in window)
  • Fingerprint apple resist (art meets science)
  • Letter A apple craft (stamping/printing)
  • Apple lifecycle craft (science integration, printable mini-book)
  • Apple bunting (burlap or felt for garlands)

Edible and Nature Crafts

  • Apple boats (apple slice with paper sail)
  • Poison apple candy (Halloween treat)
  • Apple bird feeders (real apples, birdseed)

Apple Crafts for Adults: Elegant & Creative Fall DIYs

Here’s a master list of apple-themed craft inspiration, from classic stamping to unique adult DIYs—perfect for anyone interested in apple crafts for preschoolers.

1. Apple Bunting

  • Use fusible backing on burlap, cut triangles, sew onto twine.
  • Stamp apple shapes with real apples dipped in paint (use a fork for grip).
  • Decorate for autumn, Halloween, or Thanksgiving.

2. Apple Topiary

  • Insert a styrofoam block into a pot; use a stake and a cone for structure.
  • Wrap with moss, then insert apples on skewers in a spiral.
  • Fill gaps with boxwood, magnolia leaves, or berries; wrap with grapevine.
  • Lasts weeks indoors or even longer outdoors in cool weather.

3. Poison Apple (Halloween Recipe)

  • Use real apples, make a candy syrup with sugar, water, corn syrup, and food coloring.
  • Insert twigs as handles, dip apples, drizzle with extra syrup, and chill.
  • Creates dramatic, glossy apples for parties.

4. Dyed Apple Bushel Baskets

  • Dye baskets to match your decor.
  • Display real apples for a seasonal table.

5. Salted Caramel Apple Favors

  • Make homemade caramel, dip apples, and wrap for party favors or gifts.

Apple Crafts with Real Apples: Nature, Art, and Edible Fun

Real apples make crafts hands-on, sensory, and sometimes even edible!

1. Apple Printing & Stamping

  • Classic stamping with halved apples and paint.
  • Great for teaching patterns, counting, and color mixing.

2. Apple Boats

  • Slice apples, add toothpick “sails” made from paper.
  • Eat as a healthy snack after the craft.

3. Apple Bird Feeder

  • Cut and core apples, fill with birdseed, and hang outside.
  • Watch birds visit for a natural science lesson.

4. Apple Basket Stamping

  • Use apple stamps, then create a woven basket from paper strips to “collect” apples.

5. Apple Topiary

  • Skewer real apples on a styrofoam form to create a dramatic table centerpiece.

6. Poison Apple & Caramel Apple Favors

  • Real apples dipped in colored or caramel coating—great for Halloween or autumn gifts.

Apple Craft Minecraft: Pixel & Blocky Apple Projects

Perfect for kids who love Minecraft, these crafts bring the iconic pixel apple into real life.

Golden Apple Quilt Block/Pillow

Materials: Golden Apple PDF, colored fabrics, sewing machine
Instructions:

  1. Print and enlarge the Golden Apple diagram (PDF).
  2. Cut fabric into squares (add seam allowance).
  3. Sew together row by row.
  4. Piece rows into a block; add borders.
  5. Quilt the outline for stability.
  6. Make a pillow cover using envelope-style backing.

Clear Plastic Lid Apple Craft (Pixel Style)

  • Use a clear drink lid as the base.
  • Glue tissue paper squares (red, white, green) inside for a pixel effect.
  • Add black seeds, green/brown cardstock for leaf/stem.
  • Let dry, then display as a “pixelated” apple window craft.

General Minecraft Adaptations

  • Always use squares/rectangles to mimic pixels.
  • Use classic Minecraft apple colors.
  • Print templates and fill with colored paper, felt, or foam squares.

3D Apple Craft: Easy Step-by-Step Projects

Bring apples to life in three dimensions! Two popular ways:

1. 3D Paper Apple Craft (Layered Shapes)

Materials: Printable template, colored card, glue, pencil, scissors
Instructions:

  1. Download/print the 3D apple template.
  2. Trace 6–8 apple shapes onto colored card; cut out.
  3. Fold each shape in half.
  4. Glue halves together one at a time to form a 3D apple.
  5. Add a stalk and leaf at the top.
  6. Glue last halves together and hold to set.
  7. Display as desk decor, on a tree backdrop, or as fall ornaments.

2. 3D Paper Strip Apple Craft

Materials: Free paper strip template, colored card/paper, brass fasteners, scissors, hole punch
Instructions:

  1. Download/print template (Teachers Pay Teachers).
  2. Cut strips and leaf.
  3. Punch holes in both ends of strips.
  4. Stack, fasten both ends with brass fasteners.
  5. Gently separate strips to form a sphere.
  6. Adjust for a rounded apple shape.
  7. Use for sorting, counting, decor, or gifts.

Apple Activities for Preschoolers: Learning Through Play

Apple crafts support learning in every area—cognitive, sensory, literacy, math, science, and social-emotional skills.

Story Time

  • Read apple-themed books every morning: “Ten Red Apples,” “Tap the Magic Tree,” “From Seed to Apple Tree,” “Apple Farmer Annie.”
  • Encourage kids to interact with the story; visit the library for more options.

Apple Discovery Center

  • Set up a sensory table with real apple pieces (flesh, seeds, core, etc.).
  • Label parts, do taste tests, and let kids sort and explore.
  • Focus on identifying and describing apple parts.

Apple Life Cycle Activity

  • Use a life cycle poster and interactive board.
  • Sequence the apple growth stages after reading about it.
  • Kids help place each stage on the board.

Dramatic Play Center

  • Create an apple stand for pretend play.
  • Use play money, felt apples, and order forms; let kids “run” the stand.

Sensory Bins

  • Counting seeds: Oats and black beans, tweezers for picking “seeds.”
  • Apple sorting: Oats with colored apple cards for sorting by size/color.

Apple Dough Centers

  • Tree number mats for counting, using erasers or dough balls.
  • Sorting trays for building apples with pipe cleaners, beans, felt leaves, dough.

Art & Creativity

  • Apple stamping, fingerprint apples, stained glass apple crafts.
  • Still life drawing with real apples.
  • Apple pie plates: Paint, add paper crust strips, display.

Math & Science

  • Apple barrel counting mats, apple patterning, counting, and graphing.
  • Weigh apples, use as standard units, measure objects.
  • Label parts, dissect apples, taste tests, five senses exploration.

Physical Development

  • Apple picking (real or pretend), dough mats, seek-and-find, relay games, apple balancing, and fine motor sorting.

Book Recommendations

  • “How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World” – Marjorie Priceman
  • “Ten Red Apples” – Pat Hutchins
  • “The Seasons of Arnold’s Apple Tree” – Gail Gibbons
  • “Apples for Everyone” – Jill Esbaum
  • “How Do Apples Grow?” – Betsy Maestro
  • “Apples Apples Apples” – Nancy Elizabeth Wallace

Printable Resources

  • Free printable sets: Counting mats, craft templates, literacy/math/science activities.

People Also Ask: Apple Crafts for Preschoolers FAQ

Q1: What are some easy apple crafts for preschoolers with printables?
A: Many apple crafts for preschoolers come with free printables—such as paper plate apples, torn paper apple crafts, apple life cycle mini-books, and color-by-code worksheets. These crafts are accessible through teacher blogs or Teachers Pay Teachers.

Q2: How do I make 3D apple crafts for my classroom?
A: Use a printable 3D apple template or paper strip template. Cut, fold, and glue several apple shapes together, or use brass fasteners to connect strips and form a sphere. Both are simple, hands-on, and perfect for developing fine motor skills.

Q3: What are some apple crafts for adults or older kids?
A: Try elegant projects like apple bunting with real apple stamps, Colonial-style apple topiaries, caramel apple favors, or even making floating apple candles. These crafts often use real apples and are perfect for decorating your home or event

Q4: Can I use real apples in kids’ crafts?
A: Yes! Real apples are used for printing/stamping, making apple boats, bird feeders, apple topiaries, and edible treats. These activities combine sensory play with nature learning, and are perfect for fall themes or farm-to-table lessons.

Conclusion: Start Your Apple Craft Adventure!

Apple crafts for preschoolers offer endless opportunities for creativity, learning, and fun. From classic apple stamping and printable templates to advanced 3D, Minecraft, and real apple projects, there’s something here for every child, parent, or teacher. Download your favorite free printables, gather your supplies, and dive into apple-themed activities that boost fine motor skills, literacy, science, and more.

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