Free Football & NFL Coloring Pages (PDF Printables)
Football season brings excitement, team spirit, and the perfect opportunity to transform simple coloring pages into memorable keepsakes. Whether you’re planning a game day party, looking for classroom activities, or wanting to engage young NFL fans in creative projects, these 12 craft ideas will help you turn free printable football and NFL coloring pages into impressive decorations, functional items, and personalized treasures.
Why Football-Themed Crafts Matter for Kids and Families
American football captures imaginations across all age groups, making it an ideal theme for hands-on creativity. When children complete coloring pages featuring their favorite team logos, player positions, or iconic football imagery, they develop fine motor skills and color recognition. But the real magic happens when those finished pages become three-dimensional crafts that celebrate their passion for the sport.
These projects work beautifully for birthday parties, Super Bowl celebrations, tailgate gatherings, or simply as rainy-day activities that keep young hands busy during football season. The best part? Most require basic supplies you already have at home, making them budget-friendly options for parents, teachers, and youth group leaders. Beyond entertainment, these activities nurture focus and emotional growth — read more about the benefits of coloring for child development in our detailed guide.
Getting Started: What You’ll Need
Before diving into specific projects, gather these common craft supplies that appear throughout multiple ideas:
- Scissors (safety scissors for younger children)
- Glue sticks and Krazy Glue for stronger adhesion
- Acrylic spray sealant for weatherproofing outdoor projects
- Laminating sheets or glassine paper for durability
- Construction paper in team colors
- Poster board in green and various colors
- Pipe cleaners for structural elements
- Markers and paint in football-appropriate colors
With your NFL and football coloring pages printed and colored, you’re ready to transform them into lasting creations. Sports-loving kids might also enjoy car coloring pages that capture the same fast-paced excitement as football.
12 Inspiring Craft Projects for Football Enthusiasts
1. NFL-Themed Decorative Wreath for Your Front Door
Welcome guests with a personalized football wreath that screams team pride. This project combines rustic texture with vibrant team imagery, perfect for autumn decorating when football fever runs high.
Start by twisting brown packing paper or kraft paper into a circular wreath form. The rougher texture actually adds character—embrace those bumps and irregularities. Once your foundation is secure, have children color multiple football images, team logos, or player illustrations from your printable collection.
Cut out the finished designs and protect them by sealing in glassine paper or laminating sheets. This crucial step prevents fading and weather damage. Arrange the cutouts around the wreath in your preferred pattern—you might cluster them on one side for asymmetrical appeal or distribute them evenly for balance. Use Krazy Glue for permanent attachment, and consider adding a large bow in team colors to complete this eye-catching entrance decoration. Since football season often overlaps with autumn, you can pair your wreath with fall coloring pages for a cozy seasonal touch using pumpkins, leaves, and harvest themes.
2. Floating Football Popcorn Pouches
Transform paper plates into whimsical hanging decorations that double as conversation starters. This classroom-favorite project engages multiple senses and creates unique three-dimensional art pieces.
Cut standard paper plates in half, then glue the curved edges together while leaving the straight edge open to form a pocket. Cover both exterior surfaces with cutouts from your finished coloring pages—mix football imagery with team mascots and player silhouettes for visual interest.
Here’s where it gets fun: fill these pouches with unbuttered, unpopped popcorn kernels. The weight gives the pieces substance while creating gentle rattling sounds when air moves them. Seal the opening with additional glue, then apply several coats of acrylic spray to lock everything in place. Thread fishing line through the top and suspend these creative pouches from ceiling tiles or tree branches for game day ambiance.
3. Championship Centerpiece Display
Every game day table needs a focal point, and this vertical football tree delivers visual impact without blocking conversation across the table.
Push a paper towel tube into a styrofoam block that you’ve wrapped in green tissue paper to simulate a football field. The tube becomes your vertical display post. Color and cut out various sizes of footballs, helmets, team shields, and NFL logos. Attach each cutout to pipe cleaners bent in half, then poke these stems into the cardboard tube at different heights and angles.
Create dimension by varying the pipe cleaner lengths—some elements should stick out boldly while others nestle closer to the center pole. Top your creation with a pipe cleaner bent into goalpost shape. Place this centerpiece on your snack table, buffet, or main dining area where it commands attention without taking up excessive space.
4. Weather-Ready Football Windsock
Bring your team spirit outdoors with this durable windsock that withstands wind and light rain while announcing your football allegiance to the neighborhood.
Clean a large empty coffee can or similar cylindrical container thoroughly. Completely cover the exterior surface with your colored football pages, overlapping edges slightly for complete coverage. This is where patience pays off—smooth out air bubbles and wrinkles as you work.
Apply three to four generous coats of acrylic spray sealant, allowing each coat to dry completely before adding the next. This weatherproofing step is essential for outdoor durability. Cut brown and white crepe paper streamers into 12-18 inch lengths and attach them around the bottom rim of the can using strong glue. Punch two holes near the top rim, thread sturdy string or fishing line through for hanging, and display your windsock from porch railings, tree branches, or shepherd’s hooks in the garden.
5. Super Bowl Champion Crown
Let young fans wear their team loyalty with pride using these festive crowns perfect for Super Bowl parties or fantasy football celebrations.
Cut green poster board into strips approximately 3 inches wide and long enough to wrap around a child’s head with overlap. Form into a crown shape and secure with staples or strong tape. Have children color footballs, trophies, or championship imagery, then protect these cutouts with glassine or cardboard backing before cutting them out.
Using a black permanent marker, write “Super Bowl Champion,” the child’s name, or their favorite team name across the football cutout. Attach this personalized element to the front center of the crown using Krazy Glue. Add star stickers, glitter glue, or metallic accents around the crown for extra championship sparkle. These crowns make fantastic party favors that double as wearable decorations during game viewing. Hosting your Super Bowl party around the holidays? Try combining football crafts with Christmas coloring pages to add festive flair.
6. Custom Super Bowl Serving Station
Elevate your game day spread with this coordinated serving setup that ties your food presentation to the football theme.
Start with a rectangular piece of dark green poster board sized to fit your serving area. Use white paint, tape, or correction fluid to create yard line markings at regular intervals down the length of the board, adding numbers if desired. This becomes your field-themed table runner.
Take a football-shaped serving tray (readily available at party stores during football season) and decorate it by adhering your colored football pages to the inner surfaces. Seal with multiple coats of acrylic spray to create a food-safe, easy-to-clean surface. Place this customized tray on your yard-line runner for a cohesive presentation that makes even simple chips and dip feel like championship fare.
7. Football Banner Garland
String together team spirit with this versatile banner suitable for classrooms, rec rooms, or party spaces.
Distribute football coloring pages and construction paper in various colors to participants. After coloring and cutting out the footballs, have each person trace and cut football helmet shapes from their chosen construction paper color. These solid-colored helmets provide visual contrast against the detailed football images.
Use a standard hole punch to create holes in the top corners of each cutout. Thread all pieces onto yarn, ribbon, or twine, alternating between footballs and helmets to create rhythm in your banner. Space pieces about 4-6 inches apart for best visual effect. This collaborative project works beautifully for team-building exercises since everyone contributes individual elements to the collective display.
8. Autumn Football Pumpkin
Merge two iconic fall symbols into one charming decoration that bridges Halloween and football season.
Select small to medium pumpkins with relatively smooth surfaces. Apply brown acrylic craft paint evenly across the entire pumpkin, allowing it to dry completely between coats until you achieve solid coverage. Once dry, use white paint, white electrical tape, or white pipe cleaners to create the characteristic lacing pattern down the center of your football-pumpkin.
Add a miniature football helmet on top as a jaunty hat, or surround the base with colored football page cutouts arranged like autumn leaves. This hybrid decoration celebrates the season while showcasing football passion, making it perfect for front porch displays or indoor mantlepiece arrangements.
9. Personalized Helmet Decal Design
If your young athlete owns a football helmet—whether for actual play or display—transform it into a one-of-a-kind piece of sports art.
Encourage children to color specific elements that represent their personality, favorite players, or team allegiance. Cut out these images carefully, paying attention to edges for professional-looking results. Arrange cutouts on the helmet surface before gluing to visualize the final design—you might create a collage effect with overlapping images or position single statement pieces on each side.
Apply Krazy Glue to adhere cutouts permanently, pressing firmly and holding for several seconds. Once all elements are attached, seal the entire decorated area with multiple coats of acrylic spray. This protective layer prevents peeling during regular handling while giving the helmet a professional, finished appearance. Your child’s helmet becomes a wearable art piece that expresses their unique football enthusiasm.
10. Game Day Snack Containers
Make snack distribution part of the entertainment with these themed containers that guests can take home after the party.
Provide each child or guest with two sturdy brown paper lunch bags or small cardboard boxes. Cut goalpost shapes from black construction paper—simple T or Y shapes work perfectly—and attach these to the back of each container using tape or glue. The goalposts should extend above the container opening like they’re positioned behind an end zone.
Have participants cut out their favorite images from the colored pages and glue them to the front and sides of their containers. Once decorated, fill these personalized bags with game day snacks like popcorn, pretzels, cheese crackers, or trail mix. These functional crafts serve double duty as party activities and take-home favors.
11. Team Spirit Picture Frame
Create a lasting display for game day photos or favorite player images with this customized frame project.
Purchase inexpensive wooden or cardboard frames from craft stores, or repurpose old frames by removing existing decorations. Color multiple small football elements—tiny footballs, helmets, yard markers, and team logos work best for this detailed project.
Cut out these elements and arrange them around the frame border in a pattern that pleases your eye. You might create corners with clusters of elements or distribute them evenly around all four sides. Glue each piece securely, then seal the entire frame with clear acrylic spray. Insert a photo from a memorable game, a picture of your child in their team jersey, or a printed image of their favorite NFL star.
12. Football Field Placemat Set
Protect your table while enhancing the game day atmosphere with these reusable placemats that kids can help create.
Cut green poster board or thick green cardstock into standard placemat dimensions (approximately 12 x 18 inches). Use white paint or tape to mark yard lines across the width of each mat, adding numbers and hash marks for authentic field appearance.
Invite children to color and cut out smaller football elements—team logos, footballs, helmets, or player figures. Arrange these cutouts in the corners or along the edges of each placemat and glue them permanently. Cover the entire placemat front and back with clear contact paper or laminating sheets. This waterproof seal makes the placemats functional for actual dining use throughout the football season, and they can be wiped clean after each meal.
Tips for Craft Success with Young Children
Working with kids on these projects requires patience and preparation. Set up a dedicated crafting space covered with newspapers or plastic tablecloths to contain messes. Pre-cut complicated shapes for younger children while letting older kids handle their own scissors work.
Keep realistic expectations about perfection—the process matters more than flawless results. When children feel ownership over their creative choices, they develop confidence and take greater pride in displaying their finished work.
Provide a variety of coloring tools including crayons, colored pencils, and markers so children can experiment with different techniques and effects. Some may prefer the bold coverage of markers while others enjoy the subtle shading possible with colored pencils.
Making Crafts Last: Preservation Techniques
The difference between crafts that fall apart after one season and those that become yearly traditions often comes down to proper sealing and storage.
Acrylic spray sealant is your best friend for outdoor projects or items that will be handled frequently. Apply thin, even coats rather than one heavy application, which can cause dripping and uneven coverage. Allow each coat to dry completely before adding the next—rushing this step compromises the protective barrier.
For items that won’t face weather or rough handling, laminating sheets or glassine paper provide adequate protection. These options work particularly well for banners, crowns, and hanging decorations that need some durability without the rigid finish of acrylic spray.
Store finished crafts in plastic containers with tight-fitting lids to protect them during off-season months. Adding a few silica gel packets helps control moisture that could warp paper elements or loosen glue bonds. When football season ends, keep the creativity going with spring coloring pages and new craft ideas inspired by warmer weather.
Where to Find Quality NFL Coloring Pages
Free printable football and NFL coloring pages are widely available online from various sources. Look for PDF downloads that offer high-resolution images—these produce the crispest prints with the best detail for coloring.
Many websites provide collections featuring team logos, player positions, action scenes, stadiums, and equipment illustrations. Choose pages with varying complexity levels to accommodate different age groups and skill levels. Simpler images with bold outlines work best for preschoolers, while older children appreciate detailed scenes that challenge their coloring abilities.
Standard letter-size (8.5 x 11 inches) PDFs are ideal since they print perfectly on common home printers and also adapt well to A4 paper sizes used internationally. This flexibility means you can create these crafts regardless of your location or paper supply.
Educational Benefits Beyond the Fun
While these crafts entertain and celebrate football culture, they also deliver substantial developmental benefits for children. Fine motor skills improve through cutting, gluing, and manipulating small pieces. Hand-eye coordination develops as children place elements precisely where they envision them.
Following multi-step instructions builds executive function skills like planning, sequencing, and problem-solving. When children must complete step one before moving to step two, they practice delayed gratification and goal-oriented thinking.
Creative decision-making flourishes when children choose colors, arrange elements, and personalize their projects. These choices build confidence and help young people understand their preferences and aesthetic sensibilities.
Score Big with Creative Football Crafts
These 12 craft ideas transform simple NFL and football coloring pages into meaningful projects that celebrate America’s favorite sport. Whether you’re preparing for the Super Bowl, hosting a birthday party for a young football enthusiast, or simply looking for engaging activities during football season, these crafts deliver fun, creativity, and lasting memories.
The beauty of these projects lies in their accessibility—most require basic supplies and adapt easily for different age groups and skill levels. From the elegant wreath that welcomes guests to the personalized helmet that becomes a treasured keepsake, each craft offers opportunities for self-expression and team pride.
Start with one or two projects that match your available time and supplies, then expand your repertoire as you discover which crafts resonate most with your young football fans. The combination of coloring pages and hands-on construction creates layered learning experiences that go far beyond simple entertainment. Your living room, classroom, or party space will soon showcase the creative spirit of football season in ways that store-bought decorations simply cannot match.
