Whether you pick up a few bags of fabric leaves and wooden nuts at the craft store or ask your grandchildren to bring a collection of the real thing from their yard, the fall season is filled with potential supplies and inspirations for fun projects. The variety of DIY tutorials on popular blogs and social media sites such as Pinterest make it easier then ever to find interesting ideas that are appropriate for your grandchildren's age and ability levels. Here are just a few of the possibilities that you can try out with your family when they visit your assisted living apartment.

Dryer Vent Pumpkins

Pumpkins, with their ridged exteriors, are iconic symbols of autumn, and these dryer vent pumpkins are a clever and affordable way to decorate your senior living apartment and send charming gifts home with your grandchildren after their visit. While some versions form the stems with sticks or toilet paper rolls, this one uses a cinnamon stick, which adds the appealing dimension of scent to the finished piece.

Fall Button Tree

Buttons have a seemingly magnetic quality that most kids, irregardless of age, love. Like beads, they are readily available at most dollar and hobby stores, and the random colors and designs in variety bags ensure that each person can customize the artwork to their preferences.

Bark Owls

Owl-themed decorations and toys have been popular in recent years, so this intriguing craft made out of bark and acorn caps is sure to please most children. And the act of collecting the bits of nature during a walk lets them get involved from start to finish.

Pinecone Animals

One of the most versatile items you can include in your seasonal craft supplies, pinecones have been transformed into anything from natural birdfeeders to wreath accents. With a little paint and embellishments, these fall baubles can be re-created into animal figurines.

Squirrel Puppet

Squirrels and their fluffy tails are a big hit with small children, and by fastening this clever puppet to a stick, you can move it around so that it pops in and out of sight. A quick internet search for a squirrel craft template will often yield a wide selection of squirrels including ones that appear to be sitting or facing towards you, which makes it easy to find a project that suits you.

Black Sock Cat

A few minutes of stuffing and stitching upcycles an old pair of black socks into an adorable kitten in this Halloween-inspired DIY. For added fun, experiment with different colors of buttons and ribbons or consider using socks with textures and patterns.

Acorn Owls

The tiny size of these owls makes them perfect for little ones to tuck in their pockets as they run around and play. And the mini figures are just as cute showcased in a wreath or table arrangement as they are hidden in your grandchild's treasure stash.

Acorn Photo Frame

This seasonal project is great for displaying your grandchildren's new back-to-school pictures. The layers of acorns and twigs are fun to create, and the simplicity of the craft lets it blend smoothly into most interior decorating designs.

Acorn Necklace

Fall crafts aren't just for decorations or play; they can also be worn. Though kids (and many adults) love glitter, you can also paint the acorns, which makes these charming pendants a fun activity for all ages.