Easy Fall Leaves Activity with Craft for Young Kids
Looking for an easy craft to do with kids of all ages with all the beautiful fall leaves? We have an easy way to use those colorful leaves in a fun way for even younger children!
Fun Fall Leaf Craft
As the fall season approaches, parents and teachers are looking for fun and easy fall leaf crafts. But a lot of the leaf crafts can be too challenging for young kids. My granddaughter is approaching two, so this craft was a great way to include even her!
This time of year is so much fun to be outside and appreciate the beauty of fall. Young children love to see all the colorful fall leaves. And we love to use real leaves in our fall crafts!
Minimal Supplies Needed
Fall is a great time to get outside with younger kids because there’s so much to see and explore. And the best part about this craft is that most of the materials needed for this craft can be found for free right outside! All you need is dry fall leaves, a piece of paper, and glue.
Easy for Little Hands
Another great aspect of this craft is that even little toddlers can make this simple fall leaf craft. There is no wrong way to do this, and everyone’s finished product will look different. But that leaves lots of room for creativity and exploration.
Start with a Great Fall Activity
This fun fall craft truly begins with one of our favorite things to do in the fall– a nature walk! Get your kids outside at a nature preserve, local park, or anywhere you can find with beautiful leaves. As they walk, give your child a plastic or paper bag to collect leaves and any other treasures they may find (pinecones, rocks, feathers, etc.).
Picking up the leaves is a fantastic way to to get even the youngest kids involved and helps build fine motor skills! Encourage them to find different shapes and fall colors, but ultimately let them choose leaves they love!
Start Your Fall Leaf Art Project
Once you’ve collected as many autumn leaves as you want, you’re ready for the fun crafting part! I usually go through the leaves quickly to get rid of any that are wet, dirty, or ruined.
Grab Your Paper
You’ll need at least one piece of paper, but you can always do more. We used green construction paper in order to give it a little more sturdiness for the glue. Alternatively, you can use other colored paper or even a paper plate.
Let the Kids Get Out the Glue
To create their work of art, kids will need to get out the glue. We like to let them use the glue even if it gets a bit messy. This helps them build fine motor skills.
We used regular white glue that worked well once it was dry. If all you have is a glue stick, make sure to put the glue on a little thicker as some leaves don’t stick well. We did try tape, but the leaves started falling off easily.
Stick on those Colorful Leaves
Now, your kids can start sticking on their favorite leaves! They can arrange the leaves in whatever creative way they want. My grandson didn’t like any of his leaves touching each other, but my granddaughter loved to just pile them on.
This is the perfect time to talk to kids about the seasons changing, the different patterns and colors of the leaves, and their favorite fall foliage.
Display Your Child’s Great Leaf Art Projects
You’ll probably have to use a fair amount of glue, so the leaf collages will need awhile to dry. We left them for a good 24 hours before trying to hang them. The different colors and leaves are a wonderful way to decorate for fall!
More Fun Fall Activities
If you’re looking for even more fun fall activities, try one or more of these fun fall sensory bins! You can even add fallen leaves or other outdoor ‘treasures’ you find on your nature walk. Check them all out here.
Another Fun Fall Craft
Looking for even more fun fall crafts? Try one of our favorite pumpkin crafts that’s also easy enough for younger children. You can see the full project here.
