These Johnny Appleseed activities are designed to make September lessons more engaging with a mix of printables, crafts, and early learning worksheets.
They work especially well alongside apple-themed books and simple science lessons, whether you’re marking Johnny Appleseed Day or just adding seasonal activities to your week.
Most of these are low prep and easy to adapt for preschool through early elementary.
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Johnny Appleseed Day Activities
Celebrate the day with a mix of apple-themed crafts, printables, and hands-on ideas that are easy to use at home or in the classroom.
Johnny Appleseed Coloring Page
A simple black and white illustration thatโs easy for younger kids to color. We used this as a quiet time activity during a September unit, and it opened up a great conversation about who Johnny Appleseed really was.
The spinner format made it more hands-on than a typical worksheet, which helped hold attention. We talked through each stage, from seed to fruit, while coloring and assembling, then added it to a science notebook.
This printable needs labeling and coloring, which made it a nice mix of science and fine motor practice. It worked well after we cut open a real apple and matched the pieces in real life.
Ideal for preschool or kindergarten, this one focuses on early logic skills. My son enjoyed predicting what came next, and we added a hands-on version using apple erasers for extra fun.
A sweet keepsake craft that also reinforces letter recognition. We used red and green paint to match apple colors, and it turned into a great chance to talk about the letter A while making something fun to hang up.
This printable puppet was a fun way to retell the story after reading a book aloud. The pieces are simple to cut and glue, and we taped a popsicle stick on the back so it could stand up in a shoebox โstage.โ
This little book combines early counting practice with short traceable words. It worked well for independent work, and having kids color each page helped them take ownership of the story as they went along.
Each sheet includes a different line pattern, which gave us a chance to talk about scissor safety while building fine motor skills. I used these with a preschooler, and we paired them with stickers to decorate the edges after cutting.
This simple math mat turned counting practice into a game. We used apple buttons as counters, and once the concept clicked, it became part of our daily rotation for a couple of weeks.
A beginner-friendly reader that walks through Johnnyโs life in a way younger kids can understand. The illustrations helped break up the text, and we used it as a read-aloud before starting our related crafts and printables.
A simple craft using paper plates and apple cutouts, we tried this one with pastel crayons instead of markers for a softer look. Great for working on patterns or just enjoying some fall-themed creativity.
This one kept my son focused longer than I expected, between painting, gluing, and adding beads, itโs a layered project that still feels age-appropriate. Best with thick paper or cardboard so the glue doesnโt warp it.
Nice mix of SEL and hands-on play. We used the sorting cards as a group activity first, then I had him draw his own โkind appleโ on the back. Great for small group discussions or morning meeting time.
This one turned out so pretty on our window. The kids loved using the spray bottle and watching the colors blend. Coffee filters work well here, and itโs low-mess if you prep the area with a tray or baking sheet.
A fun clay project that worked well as a multi-day activity. We shaped the apples one day and painted them the next once they were dry. This was a great chance to talk about 3D shapes and do something a little different than paper crafts.
Weโve read this one a few times over the years, the illustrations are full of energy, and it blends fact with tall tale in a way that kept my son curious and asking questions.
We used this as a quick art project, dipping cookie cutters into paint and stamping onto paper. Itโs simple, but the watercolor effect made each apple look different. Good for a low-prep center or relaxing end-of-day activity.
Great for fine motor practice. We used a hole punch and yarn to โsewโ the apple together. You could easily skip the stuffing if short on time, just the sewing alone kept my child busy and focused.
This paper plate craft involved weaving yarn through punched holes, a fun challenge for little hands. We used tissue paper to add texture and color, and hung the finished apple in the window with tape.
We used real apples as stamps for this one, which made it both messy and fun. It paired well with letter work on โAโ and led to a short conversation about apple varieties while we painted.
Clare Brown is the founder of Homeschool of 1, where she shares free printables and creative learning activities for kids in preschool through 8th grade. Her work has been featured in Parade, HuffPost, Business Insider, Motherly, AOL, and Yahoo. Read more.