If there’s one thing that truly says fall in our house, it’s a good old-fashioned afternoon with gluey fingers, scattered buttons, and a blank canvas begging to be turned into something adorable. That’s where the button tree comes in—a craft that’s simple enough for toddlers to try (with a little help), but still creative enough to keep older kids and even teens quietly zoning out with their pumpkin spice hot chocolates.
And let’s be honest—there’s something super calming about organizing buttons by size and color while pretending you’ve got your life together. Whether you’re decorating for fall, filling a weekend afternoon, or making gifts for the grandparents, this little tree checks all the boxes. It’s messy in the good way, doesn’t require fancy tools, and you can make it as minimal or as bold as your mood allows.
Let’s walk through some inspiration, some helpful tips, and of course, the step-by-step basics for this fun fall craft.
Why Button Trees Are a Fall Favorite
Button trees are one of those crafts that grow with your family. When my twins were three, they stuck rainbow buttons in clumps and called it a “magic tree.” Now that they’re seven, they’ve become a bit more strategic—matching tones, layering sizes, and adding their own flair like sequins or mini pom-poms.
And for me? I get to sip coffee, supervise, and maybe sneak in a mini tree of my own (with only neutral-toned buttons, obviously). It’s relaxing, creative, and surprisingly therapeutic. You can turn these little artworks into wall hangings, greeting cards, or even place settings for a cozy fall dinner.
What You’ll Need (Nothing Fancy, Promise)
You don’t need a craft room or expensive supplies. Most of this stuff is already in the house—or can be found in the “messy drawer” everyone has.
- A small canvas, cardstock, or thick white paper
- Acrylic paint (brown or dark orange for the tree trunk)
- Buttons in fall shades—think red, orange, yellow, tan, turquoise, and deep green
- White school glue or tacky glue
- Paintbrush
- Optional: black marker, glitter glue, mini pom-poms, fabric scraps, or sequins for extra pizzazz
Step-by-Step: How to Create a Fall Button Tree
1. Paint the Tree
Start by painting the trunk and branches of your tree in rich brown or burnt sienna. Don’t overthink the shape—it can be swirly, straight, short, tall, or even abstract. If you’re crafting with very young kids, feel free to pre-paint this part and let it dry before they join in.
2. Sort and Select Buttons
This part is weirdly satisfying. Let the kids sort buttons by size and color, or let them freestyle. Encourage layering buttons for more depth, or spacing them out for a modern, airy feel.
3. Glue the Buttons
Once the tree is dry, start gluing the buttons over and around the branches. You don’t have to follow the painted lines exactly—just create a canopy-like effect. Larger buttons work well near the center, with smaller ones scattered around the edges.
4. Add Ground Texture
Using orange or tan paint, brush a little color near the base to ground the tree visually. You can also add fallen buttons as “leaves” or add extra textures with natural elements like real leaves, scraps of burlap, or a swirl of glitter glue.
5. Let It Dry and Display
Give the artwork a few hours to dry completely. Then display it proudly—on the fridge, in a fall gallery wall, or even framed as a seasonal keepsake.
Variations to Try
If you’re making more than one, try mixing it up:
- Mini Trees on Cards: Use small squares of cardstock to create button trees for handmade greeting cards.
- Family Forest: Let each family member create their own tree, then hang them together like a forest scene.
- Themed Trees: Only use buttons in one color palette—like “cinnamon and cream” or “autumn sunset”—for a more curated look.
- 3D Trees: Use crumpled tissue paper or felt under the buttons to make the canopy pop.
Tips for Crafting with Littles
- Keep baby wipes nearby. Buttons + glue + small fingers = sticky chaos.
- Use smaller canvases to keep kids from getting overwhelmed.
- Try using glue dots or double-sided tape for toddlers who struggle with wet glue.
- Embrace imperfection. The whole charm of this project is in how personal it feels. A crooked branch or a clump of rainbow buttons? Perfect.
Why Parents (and Teachers) Love This Craft
Besides being adorable, this craft sneaks in fine motor practice, pattern recognition, and a healthy dose of color theory. Teachers often use it in fall units to connect with nature themes or storytelling activities. Parents love that it’s easy to prep, hard to mess up, and makes a great screen-free rainy afternoon option.
Plus—let’s face it—it looks good. Like, actually good. The kind of thing you can proudly hang next to your framed quote about autumn leaves and lattes without it feeling like a kindergarten explosion.
Final Thoughts
So whether you’re crafting solo with a mug of maple cream coffee or surrounded by glue-covered kids in a whirlwind of buttons, the fall button tree is a creative go-to that ticks every box: relaxing, seasonal, sentimental, and surprisingly stylish.
It’s a fun reminder that you don’t need a Pinterest-perfect setup to create something lovely. Just a canvas, a few buttons, and the willingness to make a little mess in the name of memory-making.
Happy crafting—and don’t forget to save a few buttons for winter snowflakes.