The leaves are putting on their best show of the year right now, and the most beautiful craft supplies in DC are literally falling at our feet. A quick walk around the block yields everything you need for an afternoon of creating. Here are ten easy leaf crafts that work for toddlers through tweens, using things you almost certainly already have at home.
1. Leaf Rubbings
The classic that never gets old. Place a leaf vein-side up under a sheet of plain paper and rub the side of a peeled crayon over it. The leaf’s whole skeleton appears like magic. Little kids can do this for a surprisingly long time.
2. Leaf Animals
A maple leaf with googly eyes becomes a fish. An oval leaf with twig legs becomes a deer. Glue leaves to construction paper and let the kids invent creatures, then draw in the details with markers.
3. A Leaf Crown
Overlap colorful leaves and staple or glue them to a long strip of cardstock, then fit it to your child’s head. Instant fall royalty, and a perfect prop for backyard photos.
4. Painted Leaf Prints
Brush washable paint onto the veiny side of a leaf and press it onto paper like a stamp. Mix reds, oranges, and yellows for a full fall collage. This one is messy in the best way, so set up outside or over newspaper.
5. Leaf Garlands
String pretty leaves along twine with clothespins or a needle and thread, then hang the garland across a mantel or window. It makes the whole house feel like fall, and kids beam every time they walk past their handiwork.
6. Pressed Leaf Bookmarks
Press leaves between book pages for a few days, then glue them to cardstock strips and cover with clear packing tape. Punch a hole, add a ribbon, and you have a sweet gift for grandparents or a favorite teacher.
7. Leaf Suncatchers
Sandwich leaves between two pieces of clear contact paper, cut into fun shapes, and tape them to a sunny window. The light shining through the colors is genuinely beautiful.
8. A Nature Wreath
Cut the center out of a paper plate and glue leaves all around the ring. Add acorns or pinecones if your walk turned up any treasures. Hang it on the front door and let the kids point it out to every visitor.
9. Leaf Confetti
Hand the kids a hole punch and a pile of dried leaves. The tiny circles they punch out become biodegradable confetti for a pretend party, a craft table, or a very exciting toss in the backyard.
10. A Gratitude Tree
Tape a bare branch in a vase, cut leaves from paper, and have everyone write something they are thankful for on a leaf each day. By Thanksgiving, you will have a full tree and a full heart.
Make a Morning of It
The best part of leaf crafts is the collecting. Turn the supply run into an outing: visit one of the spots from our fall foliage guide, bring a bag, and let the kids choose their favorites. Back home, spread everything on the table and let them create while you enjoy a warm drink. If you need more fresh-air ideas, our list of family outings that cost almost nothing is full of them.
The Bottom Line
You do not need a craft store run or a Pinterest-perfect plan. Leaves, glue, and an unhurried afternoon are enough to make something your kids will be proud of and a memory you will keep.
Elizabeth Redd, the Publisher of this website, grew up in a small town called Newhall, West Virginia, before moving to Washington, DC, in 1964. She worked in Prince George's County Public School System in Maryland for 40 years, opened a wig shop, made clothes, and participated in fashion shows during the '70s and '80s. She worked part-time as a caterer for a couple of years. Hand dancing has been one of her passions. She has also worked in Internet marketing for the last ten years. She also has a passion for learning new things.
She has learned that success is measured not so much by the position one has reached in life but by the obstacles one has overcome while trying to succeed. One thing is for sure: she is living her best life.
