21 Johnny Appleseed Activities for Kids
These Johnny Appleseed activities are a fun way to celebrate Johnny Appleseed Day with preschoolers and elementary-aged kids.
We’ve included a mix of free printables, crafts, books, and apple-themed learning activities that are perfect for September.
Whether you’re planning a classroom theme or simply looking for a few seasonal activities, there are plenty of ideas to keep kids engaged while learning about the famous apple planter.
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Ways to Celebrate Johnny Appleseed Day
Whether you’re celebrating Johnny Appleseed Day or exploring an apple theme in September, these activities make learning fun.
From crafts and printables to books and hands-on learning ideas, there’s something here for preschoolers and elementary-aged kids alike.
Johnny Appleseed Coloring Page
A simple black and white illustration that’s 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.
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Johnny Appleseed Word Search
This printable includes 20 themed words like “legend,” “orchard,” and “seed.” I used it as part of our literacy rotation.
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Free Apple Life Cycle Spinner Worksheet
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.
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Parts of an Apple Worksheet
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.
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Apple Patterns Worksheet
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.
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A is for Apple Handprint
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.
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https://www.simpleeverydaymom.com
Johnny Appleseed Puppet Craft
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 “stage.”
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https://crystalandcomp.com
Johnny Appleseed Printable Book
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.
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https://3boysandadog.com
Johnny Appleseed Cutting Practice Sheets
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.
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https://homeschoolpreschool.net
Counting Seeds with Johnny Appleseed
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.
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Johnny Appleseed: My Story
A beginner-friendly reader that walks through Johnny’s 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.
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www.3dinosaurs.com
Easy To Make Apple Themed Wreath
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.
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www.theartkitblog.com
Mixed Media Apple Craft
This one kept my son focused longer than I expected, between painting, gluing, and adding beads, it’s a layered project that still feels age-appropriate. Best with thick paper or cardboard so the glue doesn’t warp it.
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coffeeandcarpool.com
Kindness Apples: Kind or Unkind Sort
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 “kind apple” on the back. Great for small group discussions or morning meeting time.
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www.redtedart.com
Suncatcher Apple Craft for Preschoolers
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 it’s low-mess if you prep the area with a tray or baking sheet.
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www.redtedart.com
Easy Apple Pinch Pots
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.
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Johnny Appleseed
We’ve 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.
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www.3dinosaurs.com
Apple Cookie Cutter Watercolor Painting
We used this as a quick art project, dipping cookie cutters into paint and stamping onto paper. It’s simple, but the watercolor effect made each apple look different. Good for a low-prep center or relaxing end-of-day activity.
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mommyevolution.com
Sew an Apple Fall Craft
Great for fine motor practice. We used a hole punch and yarn to “sew” the apple together. You could easily skip the stuffing if short on time, just the sewing alone kept my child busy and focused.
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jdaniel4smom.com
Apple Craft
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.
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www.messylittlemonster.com
Apple Theme Art Activity
We used real apples as stamps for this one, which made it both messy and fun. It paired well with letter work on “A” and led to a short conversation about apple varieties while we painted.
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Last Updated on 15 June 2026 by Clare Brown
