You And Your Grandkids Will Fall In Love With These Leaf Crafts

Are you beginning to notice leaves on the ground? The colors are ever so slowly changing in my neck of the woods, but I have yet to find many in my yard. However, I know that time will be here before we know, which got me thinking: What can the grands and I do with some of the beautiful leaves we collect this fall?

I think you know the answer: Craft! Yes, there are several ways that you and your grand can craft with fallen leaves, beginning with: 

1. Leafy pressed bookmarks

Transform beautiful leaves into lasting bookmarks! Using the traditional method of pressing leaves between wax paper and adding a decorative touch with a ribbon, you’ll have a nature-inspired marker for your favorite reads.

Materials:

• Fresh leaves
• Qax paper
• Iron
• Heavy books
• Ribbon
• Hole punch

Steps:

1. Place your chosen leaf between two pieces of wax paper.
2. With the iron on a low setting, gently press over the wax paper until the leaf is sealed.
3. Cut around the leaf, leaving a small wax paper border.
4. Punch a hole at the top and thread a ribbon through for a decorative touch.

2. Leafy luminaries

Brighten up any space with these enchanting leaf-covered luminaries. By adhering leaves onto mason jars and placing a candle inside, you create a glowing piece that showcases the intricate details of each leaf.

Materials:

• Leaves
• Mod Podge
• Brush
• Mason jars

Steps:

1. Clean and dry the mason jar.
2. Apply Mod Podge on a section of the jar, then place a leaf on top.
3. Apply another thin layer of Mod Podge over the leaf.
4. Continue this process, overlapping leaves as you wish.
5. Let it dry, and place a candle inside for a beautiful leafy glow.

3. Leaf mask

Dive into imaginative play by crafting masks made entirely of leaves. Whether it’s for a nature-themed performance or just for fun, these masks offer a unique twist on traditional costume accessories.

Materials:

• Fresh or dried leaves
• Glue
• Elastic string
• Hole punch

Steps:

1. Decide on a mask shape that fits the face.
2. Attach leaves using glue, overlapping them, covering the entire mask shape.
3. Once dried, make a hole on each side and attach the elastic string.

4. Nature’s leaf collage

Go on a scavenger hunt to gather an array of vibrant leaves and then compose them into a stunning collage. This activity captures the essence of different seasons and the diverse beauty of leaves.

Materials:

• Different types of leaves
• Poster board or canvas
• Glue

Steps:

1. Go on a leaf scavenger hunt together and pick various shapes and colors.
2. Arrange the leaves on your board or canvas.
3. Once satisfied with the arrangement, glue them down.
4. Display the collage as seasonal art!

5. Leaf rubbing art

Rediscover a classic childhood activity! By placing leaves under paper and rubbing crayons over them, the intricate veins and shapes of the leaves come to life, producing a beautiful piece of art.

Materials:

• Leaves
• White paper
• Crayons with the paper removed

Steps:

1. Place a leaf under a piece of paper.
2. Using the side of a crayon, rub over the area where the leaf is. The leaf’s shape and veins will appear as you rub.
3. Experiment with different colors and leaf shapes.

6. Clay leaf bowls

Craft a functional piece of art using leaves as your template. With the combination of clay and leaf impressions, you create delicate bowls that not only serve a purpose but also pay homage to nature’s design.

Materials:

• Air-dry clay
• Leaves
• Acrylic paint (optional)

Steps:

1. Roll out the clay to about 1/4 inch thick.
2. Press a leaf, vein-side down, into the clay to make an impression.
3. Cut around the leaf impression and gently shape it into a bowl form using another bowl as a mold.
4. Allow it to dry as per the clay’s instructions.
5. Once dried, you can paint it or leave it natural.

Conclusion

These crafts are not only fun but also a lovely way for grandmas and grandkids to appreciate nature’s beauty together. Enjoy the bonding and the beautiful creations you make! Oh, and happy fall. 🙂