Fall is here! The leaves are turning beautiful shades of red, orange, yellow, and gold. Living here in Utah is truly one of the most beautiful places to enjoy the fall foliage! As the air turns crisp and the season begins to change, it make me want to create. So I am sharing some fun ways for how to use fall leaves in a leaf crafts. They are a great way to enjoy the fall leaves and create a fun art project with them too. I’ve put together a roundup of Leaf Craft Ideas for Kids that is sure to get you into the Fall mood.
HOW TO USE REAL LEAVES IN A LEAF CRAFT
I love using real leaves in crafts and in home decor projects. There is something fun about bringing nature inside my home. You can make it a fun day activity too! Take the kids for a nice fall walk or hike to gather and collect their favorite fall leaves. Then you have a nice collection of their own leaves to choose from to create some of these fun art ideas.
HOW TO DRY FALL LEAVES FOR A LEAF CRAFT
Some of the projects may call for you to dry your leaves before using them in your project.
One of the most popular methods to dry fall leaves and help them keep their bright colors is to sandwich each individual leaves in between two sheets of wax paper and then iron them on high. Flip it over and iron on high again. Make sure that the wax has transferred to the leaves. Let cool before peeling off and using.
HOW TO PREVENT MOLD ON DRIED LEAVES
If you have trouble with your dried leaves molding, you can use some silica gel drying crystals which can help prevent leaf mold. Sometimes even microwaving the leaf can help with the mold.
HOW TO MAKE A LEAF PRESS
There are a couple ways to make a leaf press for drying and pressing your fall leaves. Here are the most common.
Use books or weights as a press
Take a piece of paper, and fold it in half. Arrange your leaves on one side of the paper, then close the fold, sandwiching your leaves between the halves. Place the folded card in the pages of your pressing book, and add books on top to weigh it down.
Keep the leaves pressed in the book for at least 2 weeks.
It’ll take time for your leaves to dry out fully. Check their progress after 2 weeks; if there’s still some moisture in the leaves, simply place them back in the press and give them another few days to dry. However, most leaves will be plenty dry after a couple of weeks.
Use a flower press to dry out the leaves, alternatively.
Purchase a simple flower press, which has a mechanism allowing you to squeeze the moisture from leaves. For most presses, you’ll need to sandwich your leaves between 2 pieces of cardboard and place those inside the machine. Then, tighten the mechanism to apply pressure to your leaves and let the press sit for a couple of weeks.
HOW TO SEAL A LEAF WITH MOD PODGE FOR YOUR LEAF CRAFT
You will need to dry your leaves in a book or a flower press for 3-4 days before sealing them with mod Podge. Then carefully, remove the pressed leaves from the press and place them onto some parchment paper. Use the sponge brush to apply a thin layer of mod podge onto the one side of the leaf.
Let the leaf dry and then add another layer on the other side. BE careful with this step as the delicate leaf can tear easily. Add another layer of mod Podge to both sides of the leaf again. After the double layer the leaf should be nice and flexible and should last for use in your leaf projects and home decor projects!
COMMON SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR LEAF CRAFT ACTIVITIES
- blotter paper
- cardstock paper
- hot glue gun
- hot glue gun sticks
- Mod Podge
- acrylic paints
- watercolor paint
- paint brushes
- craft sticks
- ribbon
- wax pellets for crafts
- chalk
- glue sticks
- paper plates
- crayons
- markers
- clay
- simple flower press
HOW TO USE FALL LEAVES IN LEAF CRAFTS
There are so many fun ways to create beautiful leaf art this fall season. Here are several fall leaf craft ideas I rounded up for you to choose from. You might even want to create a few different ones. You are guaranteed to find an idea for your preschoolers all the way up to you as an adult!
Be sure to click on the links to be taken to each individual tutorial for each of the different fall art activities.
- Leaf Garland from Homestead and Chill
- Leaf Pressed in Clay Bowl from Make Life Lovely
- Leaf People from https://www.mymommystyle.com/fun-leaf-people-craft//My Mommy Style
- Leaf Painting craft for toddlers from Toddler at Play
- LionLeaf Craft from Hello Wonderful
- Real Fall LeafWreaths from Hymns and Verses
- Leaf Rose from Sister’s Know Best
- Leaf Suncatchers from eHow
- Painting Leaves from Simple Fun for Kids
- Toilet Paper Roll Leaf Stamping Fall Tree from crafty morning
- Autumn Styling from DZIECIAKI W DOMU
- Handprint Leaf from Fun Handprint Art
- Twig Wreath with Felt Leaves from NORTHSTORY
- Skeleton Leaf Craft from The Idea Room
- Watercolor Paper Leaf Branch Mobile from Happiness is Homemade
- Autumn Leaf Soaps from Say Yes
- Yarn Wrap Autumn Leaves from the imagination tree
- Salt Dough Leaves from TWADALOO
- DIY Autumn Leaf Bowl from hello Lucky
- Easy Marbled Fall Leaves from i heart arts n crafts
- Fall Tree “Snow Globe” from Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls
- Fall Leave Art Project from Toddler Approved
- Leaf Lanterns from Red Ted Art
- Pumpkin Seed Tree from Growing a Jeweled Rose
- DIY Fall Card from The Idea Room
- DIY Leaf ClayBowl from Emma Owl
- Leaf Rubbing Collage from MAMA.PAPA.BUBBA
- Leaf Bowl from Crafts Unleashed
- Leaf Crown from Nurture Store
- DIY Leaf Mask from small + friendly
- Watercolor Leaf Print from pinkwhen
- Leaf Place card for Thanksgiving Table
MORE FALL CRAFT IDEAS
- Fall crafts for kids
- Acorn crafts ideas
- Inexpensive Fall Decor Ideas
- Fall Mason Jars
- Fall Porch Decor
- DIY Pumpkin Decor Ideas
- Fall Leaves Pumpkins Printable
- Printable Fall Signs
- DIY Fall Sign
- DIY Fabric pumpkins
- Thanksgiving Crafts and Games for Kids
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