5 Unbe-Leaf-Able Fall Crafts

As any parent can tell you, keeping your kids entertained and away from their mobile games can be a challenge during the pandemic. 

Use this as an opportunity to get them outside and make memories! Here are 5 fun crafts that everyone can enjoy. To get you started, here are a couple of helpful resources to help identify the trees indigenous to our beautiful state of Virginia:

First, here is The ArborDay Foundation Tree Identification site that will walk you through their interactive page. 

Second, here is a pdf document that can be downloaded in case you’re going to be someplace without internet access for your wilderness foraging. 

Now, who’s ready to get CRAFTY?

LEAF CREATURES

Leaf Creatures

The first fun craft also requires the least amount of supplies. All you’ll need is glue, paper, a marker for small detail work, and your IMAGINATION! Put your kiddos to work on collecting as many leaves as they can in as many colors as they can. Then study the shapes of the leaves. Is it a bird? A plane? Glue the leaves down and then draw on eyes, feet, noses, scales, feathers, antlers, etc. Ta-da! Instant fridge masterpiece!

LEAF MEMORY GAME

Leaf Memory Game

If you’ve got children in the Pre-K age range, here’s a fun craft to help develop their memory while interacting with nature. If you’re trying to make it fit for an older child, add tree identifying clues! All you’ll need for this craft is 2 of each leaf, heavy card stock, glue, and a marker. If you want to make it last, consider having the cards laminated! This would also be a great gift for a teacher or daycare attendant. 

Cute the card stock to size, glue each leaf down, (optional) add the tree name to each card, and wait for them to dry. Then flip them over and have fun with your little one! 

LEAF SILHOUETTE  PAINTING

Autumn Leaf Painting

Here’s another simple craft to complete with your little artists! Here’s what you’ll need: orange, yellow, red, green, and brown paint, paint brushes or sponges, paper, and of course, LEAVES! 

Place a leaf wherever you desire on your paper. While holding it in place, gently brush paint in outward strokes from the center of the leaf towards the edges onto the paper. Or gently sponge around the edges of the leaf in varying colors. Lift the leaf and let the paint dry. Then, with a smaller leaf of the same variety, cover it in paint and use it as a stamp in the center of the previous leaf outline! You’ll want to frame this one, it’s so pretty!

ACORN FRAME

Acorn Frame

Speaking of frames, here’s a craft that is a little more time consuming but very rewarding when finished. This is a great craft for kids and adults alike! Here’s the supply list: A picture frame for each participant, a hot glue gun and glue sticks (adult supervision required!), a picture, and as many acorn/acorn caps as you can find. This would be a great time to get the kids involved and get them some exercise after being cooped up! 

Glue and place each acorn cap in tightly fitting layers on the surface of your picture frame. Add your picture! The hardest part of this craft is only making one. 

LEAFY LUMINARIES

Simple Leaf Lanterns

Last but certainly not least, consider making these beautiful Leafy Luminaries!

Supplies: wax paper, leaves, an iron, a battery operated tea light, and tape or glue. Consider also using a ribbon or extra cardstock strips around the top and bottom to make them more sturdy so they last longer. You could also use the lid of a mason jar!

First, gather your leaves. A variety of colors, shapes, and sizes work best! Place a piece of wax paper on your ironing board and arrange your flora selection the way you want. Place another piece of wax paper of equal size on top and iron the pieces together. Fold the top and the bottom inch of the strips twice, doubling them. Iron them and then tape or glue the folded edges down. Coil the wax paper to make a cylinder and tape or glue the meeting edges together. Add ribbon or other decoration during this step. Add your tea light and bask in the warm glow of your new Leafy Luminary! 

Whichever craft you end up choosing, the most important thing is that you’re spending time together as a family, making holiday memories, getting some exercise, and encouraging the use of their imagination! Everyone knows that a lot of these crafts will end up in a box in the attic, but when you open that box again one day, you’ll think back on the day you spent with them in the autumn light: leaves falling, kids laughing. That’s really the point, isn’t it? 

Have a great day and a happy Autumn from your family at Virginia Lawn Services, Inc!