How to make autumn painted acorns

Painted acorns are a fun and festive craft for autumn home decorating. Kids of all ages can get it on the act. At the end of this post I’ve shared many ways to display the finished acorns. Try several and see what works best for you.

You’ll need just a couple supplies:

Acorns with caps
Acrylic paints in autumn colors
Liquid glue or hot glue

Let’s paint the acorns:

First, you’ll need to gather your acorns. Late summer and early fall are the best times for gathering.
Next, you’ll want to “de-bug” them. Here you have a couple options. You can bake them at 200°F for half an hour. Or, freeze them overnight in a Ziploc bag. Then, use an old toothbrush or stiff bristled artist’s paint brush to brush away any dirt or debris. If the acorns are really dirty, you can rinse in warm water, but let them dry thoroughly before moving to the next step.
I recommend removing the caps and gluing them back in place after painting them and the acorns. This makes painting the caps and acorns different colors an easy task.
Now, it’s time to do the painting. Start by protecting your work surface. One coat of paint generally gives a sheer color. A second coat will provide more vibrant coloring.
Set the painted acorns aside to dry. Then, glue the caps back on the acorns.

Here are several innovative ways to showcase your autumn painted acorns:

Scatter them on tabletops or shelves for a rustic touch.
String the acorns to make a garland. (Tip: when gluing the caps back on, glue twine, narrow ribbon, or yarn between the acorn and the cap.)
Hot glue a magnet disc to the acorn for a seasonal fridge flair.
Fill a clear glass vase or bowl with the painted acorns for a table centerpiece.
Hang the painted acorns from an embroidery hoop to create an autumn mobile.
Use the painted acorns as game pieces for board games.