In our house, crafting with unconventional materials is one of the best DIY choices we could possibly make because it keeps everyone interested in and excited about what we’re doing. That’s especially true in the fall because our kids are also huge nature lovers and there are so many awesome things you can make with leaves! We’ve been on the lookout lately for new fall leaf crafting ideas we’ve never tried before, just to keep things moving and fun.
If you’re feeling just as enthusiastic as we are in the idea of crafting with leaves, if not more, here are 15 of the very best ideas, designs, and tutorials we’ve come across so far in our search for inspiration and guidance!
1. Leaf chromatography science experiment
Do you find that, besides crafting with nature and other unconventional materials, the DIY projects that go over with the most success in your house are always the ones that involve some kind of learning element, almost like a science experiment? In that case, we think you just might be the perfect group to try out this very cool and awesomely simple leaf chromatography project outlined nice and neatly on Play dough to Plato!
2. Fall exploration tray
Are your kids just young enough that a lot of the DIY based things you do with them mostly consists of you making something for them, but that helps them learn and experience new things? Well, that’s precisely what the case is here with this project from KC Edventures and we think the idea is nothing short of stellar. Take a better look at their tutorial to see how this fall exploration tray was made as a sensory activity for toddlers.
3. Leaf and coloured water experiment
Did you like the idea of doing something involving both nature and science but you just aren’t sure that the chromatography activity we showed you above was quite the kind of thing that will hold your kids’ attention? Then perhaps you’ll have a little more luck with this leaf and coloured water experiment outlined in neat detail on Buggy and Buddy.
4. Leaf rubbing art project
Are your kids more budding artists than they are aspiring scientists? Then we have a strong feeling this next idea from KC Edventures might be a good alternative for you! Their tutorial outlines, step by step, how they did these lovely and wonderfully simple leaf rubbing art projects that let kids learn about the shapes and textures of leaves in more detail.
5. Fall leaf window clings
If you’re going to create something using nature in order to make a seasonal craft, would you actually much rather make it something decorative that you can display afterwards and show off to guests? Well, if you’ve never tried making sun catchers or window clings then we’re sorry to tell you that you’ve been missing out on something very fun indeed! Learn more about how this leaf shaped negative space window cling was made on Kids Craft Room.
6. Leaf breathing science experiment
Just in case you’re still feeling in the market for a science experiment based DIY project but you’re also still not feeling entirely sold on the idea of trying out either of the two previous tutorials we showed you, here’s another idea for your consideration. KC Edventures walks you step by step through the process of doing a cool leaf breathing science experiment that we found to be a huge hit.
7. Leaf lacing craft
Are you actually a sewing enthusiast who is always on the lookout for ways to introduce the basics of your craft, like hand stitching, to your kids in hopes of teaching them properly when they’re old enough but letting them feel prepared? In that case, we’d be willing to bet that you’ll adore this simple fall leaf lacing project outlined nice and simply on Rhythms of Play!
8. Leaf chalk art
Are your kids the kind of bright little artists who spent their whole summer using sidewalk chalk outside but now that fall has come it’s a little too cold and wet for that? Then maybe they’ll appreciate the way Coffee Cups and Crayons adjusted the idea of using chalk for the season in making these chalk art leaves instead!
9. Leaf, stick, and acorn people
If you’re going to send your kids out scavenging for leaves in the backyard so they can get crafty with them, do you happen to think they might as well gather some other things as well? Then we think you and Fantastic Fun and Learning might be operating on the same wavelength! Take a look at their tutorial to see how these leaf, stick, and acorn people were made, all with natural features.
10. Fabulous fall leaf collage
Just in case we’ve got your attention with the idea of using more than one kind of natural fall element at once but you think your kids would rather make something abstract then stick to creating characters, here’s a concept that might be a little more up your alley! Happy Hooligans shows you how this beautiful fall leaf collage art was made using simple pasting techniques.
11. Leaf tree centrepiece
Have we actually still got you thinking about how much you love the idea of making something home decor based from your leaves but you think your kids would rather help you make something they can display at the family Thanksgiving celebration instead of just something you’d hang up? In that case, we’d definitely suggest taking a look at how Noggin Mama helped their own brood create a fall leaf tree centrepiece that made up a part of their gorgeous tablescape.
12. Paint printed leaf paper
Rather than making art out of your leaves, do you think your kids might actually be more interested in the idea of making art with your leaves, as though they’re tools akin to a paintbrush or marker? Then we’d absolutely encourage you to take a look at the way Family Maven made a beautiful printed painting by doing some paint stamping with differently shaped fall leaves!
13. Metallic hand drawn leaf
Maybe your kids are a little bit older and looking for something that requires a little more patience and attention to detail, despite still being enthusiastic about the idea of crafting with nature? In that case, we’d definitely wager that this beautifully swirling leaf art that Quince and Quire shows you how to make with a fine tipped metallic ink pen will be a little more along the lines of what you’re looking for.
14. Fall leaf garland
Here’s another idea that falls into the decor category, just in case you’re still thinking along those lines but haven’t felt fully convinced by any of the options you’ve seen yet! This fantastic tutorial from A Beautiful Mess shows you how to use those lacing techniques we talked about earlier to make a pretty leaf garland and, even though they actually used cut pieces of felt, we think the project would be just as easy to do if you replaced those shapes with actual fall leaves.
15. Autumn leaf mason jar candle holders
If you’re as avid a crafter as we are then we have no doubt you’re already familiar with just how many different things one can truly do decoupage with. We’re sure it’ll come as no surprise to you, then, that there are crafts out there that involve doing so with fall leaves! Check out how Spark and Chemistry used that very technique to make these adorable autumn luminaries.
Have you made other kinds of totally awesome fall leaf based crafts with your kids before but you don’t see anything similar to what you created on our list? Tell us all about how you did it or link us to photos of your finished work in the comments section!
