Greet the autumn season with a colorful leaf wreath! Kids can turn vibrant fall foliage into a simple wreath with only a few basic art materials. This seasonal arts and crafts activity is great for families with children of all ages. Turn a chilly fall day of indoor play into an autumn arts extravaganza.
Materials Needed to Create a Fall Leaf Wreath
- Fall leaves
- Cardboard
- Clear drying non-toxic glue
- Scissors
- Optional: Paint, glitter, or ribbon
Planning the Children’s Fall Leaf Wreath
Before beginning the art making, take some time to plan out the activity. First gather the materials needed. The most important materials are the fall leaves. This can be a fun way to spend an autumn afternoon. As a family go outdoors and search for fall leaves in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. Encourage young children to search for leaves that are special in some way. Discuss what makes each leaf unique (color, pattern, or any other attribute).
Make a decision as to how simple or elaborate the wreath will be. For younger children it is best to keep it somewhat simple. Older children may plan an intricate wreath that contains glitter or woven ribbon.
Set up a suitable area to work on. The ideal workspace is a large, flat table with plenty of light nearby. Make sure that any workspace is easily cleanable. If possible, cover the space with a washable table cloth or newspaper. If a table is not available try working on the floor. Simply cover the floor with newspaper or even a plastic shower curtain.
Activity Steps for Children to Create the Fall Leaf Wreath
- Cut a large donut shape from the cardboard. The size of the cut out will depend on the child or family. Due to the thickness of the cardboard many children may find this step too difficult to perform alone. Adult assistance should be given during this step. Additionally, young children should never use sharp scissors that are made for adults or older children.
- Encourage the child to cover one side of the cut out with glue section by section. As the child glues, he or she should firmly press the leaves onto the glue. Extra glue may be needed to overlap some of the leaves.
- Set aside to dry.
- Optional: Add tempera paint in fall colors such as yellow, orange, red, or brown using a large brush. Other optional steps include weaving ribbon around the entire wreath or embellishing with glitter and glue.
- Hang the wreath. This wreath will not stand up to the fall weather if it rains. If the weather is wet, it may be best to place the wreath indoors.
More Autumn Kids Activities
Keep this project simple or add in extra fall activities. These may include:
- Art Process Exploration: Make an art exploration station in the house. Set out a variety of materials such as paint, glitter, and more. Encourage the child to try a little bit of everything as he or she adds to the wreath.
- Literacy: Read a fall themed book before or after this activity.
- Science and Nature: Learn about the leaves used. Research trees in the local area.
The fall leaf wreath activity is a simple way to engage the family in a seasonal project. Gather leaves outdoors, and then watch as a special child turns them into a beautiful craft creation.
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