Football season may seem like it’s just for the players or even the fans in the stands, but it’s also a great time for crafters. You could be planning a game-day party, decorating a kids’ room, or just looking for a creative way to spend a fall afternoon. These are all great excuses to break out wooden football cutouts for something fun, personal, and sure to score a touchdown with your friends and family!
At Woodpeckers, you’ll find plenty of ways to bring football season into your craft room. We’ve got everything from classic, full-sized football shapes to bold football helmet cutouts, all made from smooth, unfinished wood that’s ready for whatever you want to throw at it: paint, stain, decals, or something totally unexpected. Because they’re lightweight and easy to work with, these pieces can be turned into projects for just about anyone, from toddlers trying their first art project to adults making something to hang in the den.
We’ll explore different football craft ideas based on age group. That way, whether you’re helping preschoolers create something colorful in a classroom or hosting a laid-back, grown-up craft night before the big game, you’ll have a project idea that fits the moment and the people you’re crafting with.
Football crafts for preschoolers
When you’re working with little hands, simple is best. Preschoolers love bright colors, big shapes, and crafts they can finish in a single sitting. Our wood football cutout (13”) is a great choice for this age group. It’s large enough to be easy to handle, but light enough for kids to manage on their own.
One of the simplest and most popular preschool football crafts is finger-painting the cutout in bright team colors. The large surface gives little ones plenty of room to splash on color without worrying about staying inside the lines. Another favorite is a tissue paper mosaic — kids can crumple bits of colorful paper and glue them onto the wooden football, creating a fun, bumpy texture that’s as much about the process as the finished look. If you want to keep things tidy, stickers are an easy win. Foam letters are especially fun, letting them “spell out” their names with pride.
When their masterpiece is dry, it’s easy to turn it into a keepsake. Just punch a hole or hot glue a string at the top, and they can hang it up at home. These preschool football crafts aren’t just cute; they help little ones practice their fine motor skills while giving them the satisfaction of making something all their own.
Football crafts for kids
As kids get older, they’re ready for more detailed football craft activities that allow them to follow patterns and add personal touches. The wood football cutout (12” x 7” x ¼”) is the perfect size for this age group, offering a smooth birch plywood surface that’s ideal for painting fine details.
Many kids love turning their cutout into a sign featuring their favorite team’s logo, tracing the design onto the wood and filling it in with bright paint. Another fun idea is to create a scoreboard design, painting the football brown and adding a chalkboard paint panel in the center so scores can be updated during backyard games. For parties or team events, the cutouts can even be transformed into handheld photo props by attaching them to wooden dowels.
Football crafts for teens
Teens often gravitate toward projects that are functional and display-worthy, and this is the perfect stage to introduce more intricate techniques like layering colors, wood-burning, or mixing materials. The wood football cutout (12”) is a favorite for this group because its bold shape lends itself to custom team-themed artwork.
A teen might paint the helmet in school colors, add their jersey number, and finish with a protective sealant to hang on their bedroom wall. Others may prefer a more practical approach, such as covering the helmet’s surface with cork to create a bulletin board for notes and photos. Some like to get creative by combining multiple cutouts. For example, layering a painted football shape with a helmet cutout in a shadowbox frame for a dimensional effect.
Football crafts for adults
When grown-ups take on football-themed crafts, it’s often about more than just the project. It’s about making something that will look great in the home, work as a party piece, or serve as a thoughtful gift. Larger football wooden cutouts are perfect for this, giving you plenty of space to experiment with stenciling, vinyl lettering, or even a weathered, distressed finish.
One fun idea is to transform a wood football cutout into a serving tray. A fresh coat of paint, a pair of sturdy handles, and a layer of food-safe sealer will turn it into a conversation piece for game-day snacks. Another approach is to work with a helmet cutout, paint it in your team colors, and add a bold welcome or rally message to hang on the front door. Smaller cutouts have their place, too. Paint them and work them into table centerpieces by layering them over greenery or a seasonal runner.
Football crafts for the whole family
Some of the best football craft activities are those you can do together, regardless of age. Set up a table with paints, stencils, markers, and a few different wood football cutouts so everyone can create their own.
You might end up with a mix of abstract preschool designs, precise teen artwork, and rustic adult décor, and that’s the beauty of it. When you hang them together, it becomes a collaborative art wall that celebrates both creativity and your shared love of the game.
Tips for working with wooden football cutouts
Think about the finish you want before you dive in with paint or glue. Woodpeckers’ cutouts arrive smooth and ready to decorate, but you can always give them a light sanding if you’d prefer a different texture. Planning to hang your piece outside? A quick coat of clear sealer will help it stand up to rain and sun.
For color, acrylic paint is a reliable choice that gives bright, even coverage, while a wood stain can bring out the natural grain for a more rustic look. If you want to push the design even further, add dimension with extra materials — fabric for softness, ribbon for a pop of color, cork for an interesting texture, or even a strip of artificial turf for a playful nod to the game.
Get the best football wooden cutouts at Woodpeckers
Woodpeckers offers football wooden cutouts in a range of sizes and shapes. We’ve got the 13” football cutout (great for preschool and family crafts), the 12” x 7” x ¼” football cutout (ideal for school-aged kids and detailed painters), and the 12” football helmet cutout (perfect for team-themed décor). All are made from quality wood, smoothly cut, and ready for your next round of football craft activities. So grab some paint, call in your team of family or friends, and start crafting your way to game day glory!
Did you enjoy our wooden football cutouts & crafts guide? Be sure to let us know in the comments and check out our football cutouts shop to find the perfect gift for yourself or a loved one!
