Autumn Craft Ideas
By Christine Green
 Keeping children occupied can prove to be a challenge for parents throughout the year. Here are some fun and simple ideas for the autumn months that will appeal to kids of all ages from tots to tweens.
1) FALLING LEAVES
Celebrate the fall using what nature is abandoning and create a childhood masterpiece — an ideal project for children as young as three to do.
You need: white paper; crayons; glue; leaf
- Apply some glue on to the back side of a leaf and stick it onto the center of the paper.
- Using the leaf as the body, draw a head, arms and legs with crayons for a super autumn picture to pin up on the wall.
2) WAXING LEAVES
This is a fun project for children to watch. Gather together an assortment of leaves and place them in between sheets of waxed paper. Then place a couple of dishcloths, one underneath and one on top of the paper and quickly run a hot iron over the top. When the waxed paper is removed you will find that the wax has transferred on to the leaves giving them a shiny appearance.
Or what about leaf rubbing, again not only fun but educational as it helps young children identify different parts of the leaf such as the veins and stem as well as recognizing different shapes of leaves. Lay leaves (underside facing up) under a piece of white construction paper, and then pressing very gently rub with a crayon over the top of the paper.
3) MASKING TIME
Children love disguises and this idea is something that all ages will enjoy making together. Using a simple face mask as the base gather together an assortment of leaves in all different sizes and colors. Leave them to dry out overnight in between the pages of a telephone book and the following day glue them around the mask. This is perfect if going to a fun party disguised as a scarecrow!
4) PLACEMATS
Children love being creative and will enjoy making their very own placemats to eat their meals on. Collect lots of different leaves and press them overnight in between the pages of a telephone book. The following day lay out a piece of construction paper and using the leaves, have the children to arrange their own design. Use crayons or markers for additional creativity and to write the child’s name and creation date on the placemat. When finished, laminate the sheet and you have a seasonal creation that is both practical and perfect for saving as a memory.
5) SEWING
Draw and cut out the shape of a large leaf on a sheet of thick construction paper. Around the outer edge of your leaf, using a hole punch, make holes spaced approximately ½ inch apart. Then thread a large child-safe plastic needle with yarn and set them off sewing in and out of the holes around the leaf. This project is not only fun but helpful in developing fine motor skills in young children.
6) APPLE
How about making tissue apples? Inflate balloon to the size of an apple. Then cut red tissue paper into strips. Cover the balloon with a coating of Vaseline then drop the strips of tissue paper into some diluted glue (don’t leave them to soak). Stick the strips of paper on to the balloons and leave them for 24 hours to dry out thoroughly. When dry pop the balloon with a pin and remove the balloon. Children will love them these special decorative apples!
7) LEAF BRACELETS
When out for a walk with your children collect leaves. When you arrive home cut a length of masking tape to sit loosely around their wrist. With the sticky side facing out, stick the collected leaves on to the tape and you have a very smart autumn bracelet.
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