If you are running out of ways to entertain your little ones
this fall, your answer is simply in your backyard! Instead of raking up all of
those fallen leaves, put them to use and make some fun leaf art with the kids!
Leaf art is a great childhood craft. Not only is it non-screen
fun, but it gets the kids outside for a change! Have them help you gather the
leaves for the crafts! My son got excited making little piles of leaves and
then picking out “the best ones” for his works of art.
There are many different ways to use the leaves. One of the
simplest but fun leaf art you and your kids can make are leaf “stencils”.
Simply have your child pick a leaf, and then place the leaf bottom side up on a
hard surface. Next, place a sheet of white paper on top of the leaf, and have
your child freely color the white page over the leaf with their little crayons.
VOILA!
If you have some kid-friendly (i.e.: washable) paint lying
around, you could also “leaf paint”. This activity is great, as it encourages
your children to experiment with different colors and even experiment with
mixing two primary colors together to create another color. Have your child
paint the bottom of the leaf in any way these please, and then – before the
paint dries – have them place the painted leaf on a sheet of paper to create beautiful
leaf art.
There are DOZENS of ways to use leaves for crafts!
