With trees changing color and shedding their leaves, autumn is a wonderful time for kids to learn about nature by creating autumn arts and crafts. Fallen leaves, twigs, and pinecones can offer hours of craft enjoyment while teaching children about the wonder of the outdoors. Here are some fall crafts that you and your child can create using fallen leaves. Every parent must use their own judgement in choosing which crafts and activities are suitable for the age and skills of their children.

Leaf Collage

Here is a craft you and your child can do when the leaves change color and fall. Go on a nature walk with your child and collect a variety of different shapes and colors of leaves. The leaves can be dried first if you like by laying them between two sheets of paper, underneath a heavy book. After a few days, the leaves will be flat and dry. Sort the leaves by color, size and shape. Arrange the leaves on the paper. When you're happy with the arrangement, glue the leaves in position. Your child may need some help with the glueing.

Leaf Rubbing Cards

To make leaf rubbing cards, start by folding a sheet of paper in half and place a leaf, vein side up, inside the folded sheet. You will now have a card with a leaf hidden inside. Using colored pencils or crayons; gently rub over the leaf so that the shape becomes visible on the front of the card. You can use different colours for different parts of the leaf or all one color. Remove the leaf, then repeat with other leaves and colors.

Leaf Printing

To make painted leaf prints, first cover the work area with newspaper. Place a leaf vein side up on the newspaper and dab paint onto the leaf. To create a multicolored effect, dab other colors onto the same leaf. Carefully picking up the leaf, place it paint side down on the front of the card and press down on it lightly to make a print (your child may need some help with this). Lifting the leaf straight up afterwards will keep the paint from smudging.

With the help of your imagination and mother natures tools, Autumn crafts for kids can be a thrifty and enjoyable family activity. Capture the colors of Autumn with these easy, inexpensive Autumn crafts for kids.

Learn more about this author, Cathy Linton.
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