Don’t you just love autumn and all of the colorful leaves? They are so beautiful, I can’t help wanting to collect them, save them, and craft with them. The only bummer about this time of year is that the leaves don’t stick around too long.
You have a small window when the leaves are vibrant and workable. Don’t waste a moment! Gather together the family and go pick some colorful leaves — and then try these fun and easy leaf crafts.
Simple Leaf Sun Catcher Craft
You can easily make one of these sun catchers using leaves, clear Con-tact paper, and colorful tape. Start out by cutting two pieces of Con-Tact paper. You will want them to be a few inches larger than you want the finished sun catcher to be.
Peel the paper backing off one of the pieces of Con-tact paper and lay it, sticky side up, on your work surface. Arrange the leaves on the Con-tact paper. Make sure you stay a few inches away from all of the edges. If you want, sprinkle a little glitter around the contact paper too.
Once you are happy with your arrangement, peel the paper backing off the other piece of Con-tact paper and place it, sticky side down, over the first piece. The idea is to completely enclose the leaves between the Con-Tact paper pieces.
Trim the edges so they are even and then frame your design with piece of colorful tape. I used Washi tape but you can use any kind you like. You will want the tape to only be half way on the Con-Tact paper because you will want to be able to stick the other half to the window!
Easy Glittering Leaf Craft
Decorate your house using these sparkling leaves that will have everyone oohing and ahing. You can hang them up or fill a decorative bowl with them.
All you need to do to make these decorations is to paint the leaf with a layer of Mod Podge or white glue. Set the leaf on a piece of paper and sprinkle it with a generous amount of glitter. Let the leaf sit for a few moments. Pick it up and gently shake off any excess glitter. Set the leaf side to dry and pour the glitter on the paper back in the container.
Once the glue is dry, flip over the leaf and do the same for the other side. If you want to be able to hang up the leaves, make a loop out of string or monofilament and glue that on the back before you cover it with glue.
Fast Fall Leaf Bracelet
All you need is a couple colorful leaves to make this fashionable piece of jewelry. You can even make it while you are taking a walk.
All you need to do to make the base of the bracelet is to make a loop using masking tape or duct tape. Make sure the sticky side of the tape is facing out and that the loop is big enough to slide over your hand.
Now all you need to do is stick pieces of colorful leaves onto the tape. If you want to add some sparkle, once you get all of the leaves in place, roll the bracelet in glitter. The glitter should stick to the tape but not the leaves.
Fall Handprint Tree
Use a large a large piece of paper to trace your hand and forearm on. Spread out your fingers so that they look like branches and your forearm looks like the trunk of the tree. Use paint, markers, or crayons to color the tree brown.
Now you can simply use craft glue to attach the leaves to the tree. Don’t forget (like I did) to also glue a few leaves to the ground under the tree!
Fun Leaf Animals
The leaves I have in my card make perfect animal faces by simply adding google eyes and a pom-pom nose. Have fun with the leaves you collect and see how many different animals you can make. You can even glue two or more leaves together to make larger creatures.
No matter what you decide to do with your leaves, have fun and use your imagination.
