November has arrived, bringing with it the crisp chill of fall, the anticipation of Thanksgiving, and the undeniable star of the season: Pie.
While we often think of pumpkin spice and falling leaves, this time of year is actually packed with days dedicated to our favorite baked goods. It isn’t just about eating; it’s about creating, learning, and celebrating. Whether you are a teacher looking for classroom centers or a parent trying to keep little hands busy while the turkey roasts, pie-themed activities are the perfect solution.
Before we dive into our list of 25 delectable pie crafts and activities, let’s mark our calendars. Did you know the calendar is packed with pie holidays?
- November 27: National Bavarian Cream Pie Day
- November 29: National Lemon Cream Pie Day
- December 25: National Pumpkin Pie Day
- January 23: National Pie Day
With so many reasons to celebrate, we can’t ignore the creative potential here. Below, we have curated a massive list of crafts, sensory play ideas, educational activities, and books to make this Fall unforgettable.
The “Reading Corner”: Books to Whet the Appetite
Before you break out the glue sticks, it is always great to start with a story. Reading sets the theme and helps children visualize what they are about to create. Here are the top picks for pie-themed children’s literature:
- “How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World” by Marjorie Priceman: A wonderful geography lesson disguised as a recipe.
- “Richard Scarry’s The Great Pie Robbery” by Richard Scarry: A classic mystery that is fun for all ages.
- “Easy as Pie” by Cari Best & Melissa Sweet: A story about patience and the rewards of baking.
- “The Humble Pie” by Jory John: A great lesson on humility and friendship.
- “I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie” by Alison Jackson: A hilarious Thanksgiving twist on the classic rhyme.
- “Pie Is for Sharing” by Stephanie Parsley Ledyard: A beautiful story about community and sharing food.
Paper Crafts & Art Projects
Perfect for fine motor skills and creativity.
7. The Classic Paper Plate Pumpkin Pie
This is a staple for a reason. Take a standard white paper plate and cut it into triangular “slices.” Have the kids paint the rim brown (for the crust) and the center orange.
- The Twist: Glue a cotton ball in the center for a dollop of whipped cream. This adds a 3D texture that looks good enough to eat.
8. Woven Lattice Crust Art
Have you ever tried making a lattice-top pie? It’s tricky in the kitchen, but great for little fingers in the craft room.
- How to do it: Cut a circle out of cardstock to act as the “filling.” Provide kids with strips of brown construction paper. Teach them the “over-under” weaving technique to create the top crust. This is excellent for fine motor coordination and pattern recognition.
9. Number Coloring “Pie Charts”
Who says math can’t be delicious? Draw a large circle and divide it into numbered wedges. Create a color key (e.g., 1 = Orange, 2 = Brown, 3 = Yellow).
- Educational Value: This mimics a “pie chart” and helps preschoolers with number recognition and color matching.
10. Tissue Paper Mosaic Slices
If you have toddlers, painting can get messy. Instead, use a glue stick and pre-cut squares of orange tissue paper. Let the child stick the tissue paper onto a paper triangle. The crinkled texture looks just like a flaky pumpkin filling.
11. Scissor Skills: “Steam” Cutting
Pies are hot! Draw a pie on a piece of paper and draw dashed, squiggly lines rising from it. Have your child use safety scissors to cut along the dashed lines to create “steam.” This is a vital pre-writing skill.
12. Handprint Turkey… with a Pie!
Update the classic handprint turkey. Instead of just a turkey, have the turkey “holding” a small paper pie (a distinct circle drawn near the wing). It adds a narrative element to a traditional craft.
13. Stamped Apple Pie Art
Slice an apple in half. Dip the cut side into red or yellow paint and stamp it onto a paper circle. Once the paint dries, glue crisscrossed strips of paper over the top. You have just made an apple pie using real apples as stamps!
Sensory Play & Messy Fun
Engage the senses: Touch, Smell, and Sight.
14. Edible Pumpkin Play-Dough
If you want to include the little ones who still put everything in their mouths, this is essential.
- The Recipe: Mix canned pumpkin puree with cornstarch until you reach a dough-like consistency. Add a dash of pumpkin spice. It is gluten-free, taste-safe, and smells like Thanksgiving morning.
15. The “Oats and Apples” Sensory Bin
Fill a plastic bin with dry rolled oats (this acts as the “crumbles”). Toss in some cinnamon sticks, plastic apples, and measuring spoons.
- Activity: Let the kids scoop, pour, and “bake” their own crumbles. The smell of cinnamon sticks triggers olfactory sensory development.
16. Scented Puffy Paint Pies
Mix white school glue, shaving cream, and a drop of orange food coloring. Add a sprinkle of nutmeg. When kids paint with this mixture, it dries puffy and 3D, simulating the texture of a real pie, and it smells amazing.
17. Cloud Dough “Crust”
Mix 8 cups of flour with 1 cup of baby oil (or vegetable oil). This creates “Cloud Dough,” which holds its shape when squeezed but crumbles like sand. It mimics the texture of making a pie crust perfectly.
18. Felt “Finger Rhyme” Props
Use colored felt to cut out five small pies. Use these as props while singing rhymes like “Five Little Pies in the Bakery Shop.”
- Why felt? It sticks to itself (on a flannel board), making it easy for toddlers to move the pieces around as they sing.
Dramatic Play & Pretend Cooking
Encouraging imagination and social skills.
19. The DIY Felt Pie Station
If you have a preschooler who loves to pretend-cook, create a permanent pie station. Cut beige felt circles for crusts and use pom-poms for berries (blue for blueberry, red for cherry).
- The Activity: Give them a rolling pin and a pie tin. Let them “roll” the felt and fill it with pom-pom fruit. This encourages imaginative play without the kitchen mess.
20. Cardboard Box “Bakery Oven”
Don’t throw away those Amazon boxes! Cut a flap in a square box to make an oven door. Draw knobs on the top. This gives the kids a place to “bake” their paper and felt creations.
21. Waiter/Waitress Roleplay
Create a simple “Pie Menu” with pictures of different pies. One child plays the customer, and the other plays the server. This teaches social etiquette (please and thank you) and memory skills (remembering the order).
Educational Activities (Math & Literacy)
Sneaking learning into the fun.
22. Fraction Action
Pies are the absolute best tool for teaching fractions. Cut paper circles into halves, quarters, and eighths.
- Visual Learning: Show the child that two quarters make a half. Seeing the “slices” come together to make a whole pie makes abstract math concepts concrete.
23. The “Giving Thanks” Gratitude Pie
Draw a large empty pie crust on a poster board. Cut out “ingredients” (apples or pumpkin slices) from construction paper.
- The Activity: Ask the child what they are thankful for. Write one item on each slice and glue it into the crust. By Thanksgiving dinner, you will have a full pie of gratitude.
24. Alphabet Pie Match
Cut out 26 paper circles. Write an uppercase letter on the “crust” and the matching lowercase letter on the “filling” (or a separate slice). Have the child match the uppercase crust to the lowercase slice.
25. Sort the “Berries”
Use multi-colored pom-poms and a muffin tin or small pie tins. Ask the child to sort the colors: “Put all the red cherries here and the blue blueberries there.” This builds classification skills.
Why These Activities Matter
You might wonder, “Is it really worth the effort to set up a sensory bin or cut out felt shapes?” The answer is a resounding yes.
- Fine Motor Development: weaving lattice, using tongs to pick up pom-poms, and rolling play-dough strengthens the small muscles in the hand required for writing.
- Sensory Integration: Fall is a season of texture and smell. engaging these senses helps ground children and can actually help regulate their emotions.
- Cultural Connection: Thanksgiving and fall harvest festivals are about community and food. These crafts help children understand the traditions going on around them in a way they can understand.
Final Thoughts: Making Memories
Whether you are celebrating National Lemon Cream Pie Day on November 29th or just looking for a way to survive a rainy November afternoon, these activities are your secret weapon.
You don’t need expensive supplies. Most of these 25 delectable pie crafts rely on paper plates, construction paper, and pantry staples. The goal isn’t to create a Pinterest-perfect masterpiece; it is to spend time together, talk about the changing seasons, and maybe—just maybe—work up an appetite for a real slice of pie.