Autumnal Eco-Friendly Creativity from The Little Coach House

From my family to yours, we hope you are all well and enjoying this fabulous autumn season. Gosh, it won’t be long until we are all pulling out the Christmas decorations!

At the heart of The Little Coach House has always been a deep belief in sustainability and protecting the environment. We are committed to hand crafting all of our products here in Yorkshire with eco-friendly materials, designed to inspire creativity while being kind to the planet with a low carbon footprint. 

As we enjoy the autumn season, we’re excited to share some fun, nature-inspired craft ideas that reflect our commitment to sustainability. These simple, eco-friendly activities are perfect for bringing the magic of Bonfire Night and autumn into your home while teaching your little ones about creativity and the beauty of natural materials.

Get crafty with nature:

1. Chalk Fireworks on Recycled Cardboard  
   Instead of using glitter, let’s create vibrant fireworks using coloured chalk! Simply cut up some old cardboard boxes and let your child draw fireworks—swirls, bursts, and zigzags—with colourful chalk. The chalk creates a soft, pastel-like effect on the cardboard, perfect for a dreamy firework display. This is a fantastic way to reuse old materials and keep things eco-friendly. You can even set the artwork with a little hairspray to avoid smudging.
2. Leaf and Stick Firework Prints 
   Get out into nature and collect small leaves and sticks for this one! Dip the leaves in natural, non-toxic paints (you can even make your own from ingredients like beetroot, turmeric, or spinach) and stamp them onto paper to create firework shapes. Use sticks to add bursts and lines for a truly unique firework print. It’s a simple, eco-conscious way to mimic the sparkle of fireworks while spending quality time outdoors and creating something beautiful.
3. Recycled Paper Firework Collage 
   Instead of using glitter or plastic, tear up old magazines, newspapers, or coloured paper to create a fireworks collage. Have your little one tear the paper into strips and pieces, then arrange them into fireworks shapes using eco-friendly glue. The texture and variety of colours make for a bright, fun display while teaching children about reusing materials and reducing waste.

A Plethora of Pine Cones

Autumn is just the perfect time to put on your wellies and go outside for a pine cone hunt. I have spotted loads on my walks nearby.

Here are my top tips for creative ideas with these amazing little natural treasures:

1. Pine Cone Bird Feeders
   Turn your pine cones into wildlife-friendly bird feeders! Simply spread peanut butter (or a non-nut alternative) over the pine cone and roll it in bird seed. Use some natural string to hang it from a tree in your garden, and watch the birds enjoy their treat. This is a great way to teach children about caring for nature and helping local wildlife.
2. Pine Cone Fireworks Painting
   Dip the tips of pine cones into non-toxic, natural paint and use them as stamps to create beautiful firework patterns on paper. The texture of the pine cones makes lovely starburst shapes, perfect for a firework-themed art project. You can even use autumn colours like reds, yellows, and oranges for a seasonal twist. It’s a mess-free, eco-friendly way to enjoy crafting with natural materials.
3. Pine Cone People
   Let your child’s imagination run wild by creating pine cone people or animals, (they are perfect for making Hedgehogs!) Use acorns or small stones for heads, twigs for arms, and leaves or fabric scraps for capes or wings. Tie everything together with eco-friendly glue or natural twine. This fun, imaginative activity allows children to create their own pine cone characters with which they can make up little stories and narratives for hours of glorious playtime.

Our Little Coach House Autumn Selection 

As you explore these nature-inspired crafts, don’t forget to check out our website here for more eco-friendly, autumn-inspired items to help boost your child’s creativity and prime those all important fine motor skills.

You will be supporting a UK based, family business that pride themselves on quality, long lasting and engaging products.

Let’s make this autumn a season of creativity, fun, and sustainability for you and your little ones!

Autumn Book Choice

Before I sign off, for a snuggly time with your little sleepyheads I recommend sharing this gentle autumn inspired tale:  The Leaf Thief by Alice Hemming & Nicola Slater 

With it's beautiful illustrations and loveable characters it is a fantastic seasonal story perfect for preschoolers and reception aged children.