Fall Leaf Crafts for Kids: 15 Easy Ideas for Fun Activities
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These fall leaf crafts for kids are fantastic ways to add a seasonal touch to your creative time.
With a variety of easy ideas, these crafts featuring leaves help you easily combine nature with art for stunning projects. These DIY projects create a range of finished works with bright and brilliant colors reflecting the beauty of autumn.
My boys and I have enjoyed many of these leaf crafts. I'm sharing our favorites - plus, tips for using with your children!
Related: Boost learning fun with our leaf science activities!
Transform Leaves Into Delightful DIY Activities
As autumn approaches, you may find yourself thinking of simple ways to enjoy creative activities with your kids. There are so many cool themes - like apples, pumpkins, and scarecrows - to try!
Another awesome educational theme is LEAVES.
Over the years in our homeschool, my five boys and I have had a blast using leaves for all sorts of craft fun. In our homeschool preschool and kindergarten, we used leaves as part of our letter "L" lessons.
Also, we'd combine our nature and art activities. During fall nature walks, we'd collect a variety of leaves in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Then, the boys and I would pick through our findings and use the leaves for different games, activities, and crafts.
If you're looking for easy and frugal autumn crafts for kids, you're going to love our favorite crafts featuring leaves!
Recommended Materials for These Leaf Crafts
My #1 tip for making craft time with kids less stressful (and usually less messy!) is to have all of your supplies gathered and ready to go. To help you make the most of these special creative moments, I've put together this list of materials used in making these leaf crafts. I encourage you to use supplies that you have in your home or classroom so tweak when possible.
- LEAVES
- branches
- scissors
- permanent markers (especially black)
- glue stick
- construction paper
- bubble wrap
- washable paint
- old crayons
- waxed paper
- iron
- tissue paper
- clear contact paper
- watercolor paper
- watercolor paints
- pipe cleaners
- googly eyes
- wood craft sticks
SHARPIE 37600PP Permanent Markers, Ultra Fine Point, Classic Colors, 8 CountElmer's bundle Washable Liquid School Glue, White, Dries Clear, 4 fl oz Plus Disappearing Purple Elmer's School Glue Stick, 7g, 2pkColorations Construction Paper for Kids - 7 Bright Colors - 600 Bulk Sheets of 9Scotch Cushion Wrap, 16 in x 15 ft., 1 Roll/Pack (7924)SIMETUFY 360 Sheets 36 Multicolor Tissue Paper Bulk Gift Wrapping Tissue Paper Decorative Art Rainbow Tissue Paper 11.5in x 8in for Art Craft Floral Birthday Party Festival Tissue Paper Pom PomClear Transfer Tape Paper Roll -12Watercolor Paper Pad 9 x12, 140 lb/300 GSM Cold Press Watercolor Paper Water Color Pad Watercolor Sketchbook for Art Painting, Drawing, Mixed MediaPrang Oval Pan Watercolor Paint Set, 8 Assorted Colors, 1 Countfulasiteu 200 pcs Multi-Color Pipe Cleaners and 100 pcs self-Adhesive Wiggle Eyes Sets for Crafts, Pipe Cleaners Bulk, Art and Craft Supplies, Chenille Stems, Pipe Cleaner for Crafts…KTOJOY 100 Pcs Craft Sticks Ice Cream Sticks Natural Wood Popsicle Craft Sticks 4.5 inch Length Treat Sticks Ice Pop Sticks for DIY Crafts
Amazing Ways to Keep Your Autumn Leaf Fun Going
When you're working with an educational theme like leaves, it's smart to find different resources to boost the learning fun. These books and accessories are cool ideas for learning more about and enjoying leaves:
The Very Last LeafThere Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves!Leaves Fall Down: Learning About Autumn LeavesWe're Going on a Leaf HuntLeaf ManTREND enterprises, Inc. Autumn Leaves superShapes Stickers, 800 ctLucleag 520 PCS Fall Leaves Stickers for Kids, Thanksgiving Maple Leaves Stickers for Crafts, Multi Styles Autumn Maple Leaves Leaf Stickers for Thanksgiving Fall Autumn Decorations540 Pieces Thanksgiving Fall Autumn Leaves Stickers Thanksgiving Stickers Maple Leaves Stickers Thanksgiving Party Supplies for Thanksgiving Them Party and Classroom Decor (Classic Style)Inkadinkado Fall Leaves Wood Stamp Set, 3pc, 1'' W x 1'' L
Our Top Picks for Fall Leaf Crafts for Kids
Get ready for the autumn season with this collection of 15 fall leaf crafts. From handprint wreaths to nature crowns, these crafts will bring the beauty of fall foliage into your home and classroom.
Leaf Craft For Kids: How To Make Cute Ladybugs & More
This leaf craft for kids is such a cool way to enjoy an art activity that combines nature and creativity.
With just a few supplies, your children can transform leaves that they find in your yard, park, or on a walk into cute ladybugs and more. This DIY project encourages wonderful growth mindset skills, like thinking outside the box and watching ideas come to life.
Easy Autumn Leaves Craft for Kids (Using Bubble Wrap!)
Kids will love this craft, which involves bubble wrap and paint. Adults will love it because the template makes it easy to set up.
by Raise Curious Kids
Melted Crayon Leaf Art
Melted crayons create unique artwork, and little kids can even participate. This craft does require a little setup, but the results are worth it.
by Nifty Thrifty DIYer
Leaf Man Craft for Kids
It’s rare that a craft project incorporates a nature walk, but this one does. Kids can gather leaves and make them into fun little leaf men.
by Mimosas and Motherhood
Nature Crown Craft
Another craft that uses supplies from a nature walk, these fun crowns are so easy to make. Kids can decorate their nature crowns with leaves, sticks, or anything they can get to stay attached.
by Homan at Home
Doodle Paper Autumn Leaves
Use the special watercolor technique detailed in this post for a pretty leaf craft. Then, doodle all over it to take things to the next level.
by Sum of Their Stories
Leaf Suncatcher Craft
Print the leaf templates to make this cute craft even simpler. Then, let kids go to town with the tissue paper squares to make the perfect fall leaf sun catchers.
by The Best Ideas for Kids
Autumn Leaf Puppets
Any puppet show featuring these silly little leaf guys will produce loads of giggles from the audience. Be sure to grab the printable template to make them much simpler.
by In The Bag Kids' Crafts
Watercolour Leaf Bookmarks
These watercolor leaf bookmarks are so pretty that nobody will believe they are handmade. And what’s more, the kids can help make them, too!
by Red Ted Art
Easy Fall Tree Craft
Kids can gather sticks and leaves for this fun project and make their own “trees” using those materials. It’s the perfect opportunity to discuss tree and leaf life cycles, so check the blog for some good questions to ask while making this craft.
by Life Over C's
Lion Leaf Craft
Turn a bunch of fall leaves into a lovely lion’s mane with this leaf craft. Be sure to print out the template first to keep things simple.
by Easy Peasy and Fun
Handprint Fall Leaf Wreath Craft
This craft is a fall leaf wreath that kids can make by “hand.” All the leaves are made from the child’s handprints, and it’s easy to do.
by Our Kid Things
Cute Fall Leaf Craft
These cute leaf friends make great playthings for the kids. And what’s better is that all the supplies come from the dollar store, so you can make plenty of them.
by Two Kids and a Coupon
Fall Leaf Turkey Craft
A Thanksgiving turkey is already a great craft. Here's an easy way to improve it! Add in fall leaves to keep things seasonal and improve his appearance.
by Mom Wife Busy Life
How to Make a Paper Plate Autumn Tree Craft (Easy!)
It’s quite easy to make an autumn tree with very little supplies. Use the pointers in this post to guide kids while they design their own trees and leaves for this paper plate craft.
by Arty Crafty Kids
Take Your Fall Crafts to the Next Level!
Aren't these fall leaf crafts for kids fantastic? I'm excited to try the doodle paper autumn leaves activity and make the watercolor leaf bookmarks with my boys.
Which of these autumn crafts inspired by leaves will you be trying with your children? And what other leaf craft ideas do you have? Please share in the comments area at the bottom of this post!