Fall Leaf Crafts for Preschoolers: 20 Easy Ideas

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Here are twenty leaf crafts for ages 2-8, sorted by what a toddler can really do and what needs a grown-up. Most take 10-30 minutes, plus drying time for a few. They cost almost nothing: the main supply is already in your yard, and the rest is ordinary household stuff like paper, glue, crayons and washable paint. Every craft lists its time, and every one that needs an adult is marked.

Fair warning from my house: the leaf pile gets re-scattered at least once before the glue comes out. Expect leaves to curl and paint to soak through too.

Want a list to tick off? Our backyard scavenger hunt works on a leaf walk too.

In this article (13 sections)

1. All 20 Fall Leaf Crafts at a Glance
2. Quick Tips by Age
3. How to Collect and Prepare Fall Leaves
4. Leaf Printing, Rubbing and Painting Crafts
5. Leaf Creature Crafts
6. Leaf Collage and Pattern Crafts
7. Wearable and Hanging Leaf Crafts
8. Sensory Leaf Crafts
9. Best Leaves and How to Preserve Them
10. Displaying and Keeping Leaf Art
11. Managing the Mess
12. Frequently Asked Questions
13. Final Tips for Fall Leaf Crafts

All 20 Fall Leaf Crafts at a Glance

Scan for your child’s age, then scroll to the craft number.

Quick pick by age: crafts 1, 2, 6, 13 and 14 suit ages 2+. Add 4, 5, 7, 8, 11 and 20 at 3+. Save 3, 9, 10, 12, 15, 16, 18 and 19 for 4+, and the mobile (17) for 5+.

Quick Tips by Age

For Younger Preschoolers (2-3)

• Offer 3 leaves, not 10, and expect about 5 minutes of focus.
• Pick big, sturdy maple-style leaves that small fingers can grip.
• Say yes to a pile of glued leaves with no plan. That counts as a finished craft.

For Older Preschoolers (4-5)

• Hand over the glue stick and 6-8 leaves, then stay nearby without steering.
• Ask what animal a leaf looks like (a long one might be a fish), then let them build it.
• Add one line of writing. They name the leaf creature, and you write the label or they copy it.

For Kindergarten to Age 8

• Match each leaf to its tree with a library book or field guide, then label it.
• Do a rubbing (craft 1), then trace and label the veins and the stem.
• Write a three-line leaf poem under a finished collage.
• Make a leaf graph: sort 20 leaves by shape and count each column.

For Classrooms and Groups

• Pre-sort checked leaves into one tray per table, about 5 leaves per child.
• Write names on the paper before the glue comes out.
• Pick one craft per session. Rubbing, sorting collage and fall tree art need the least adult help.

How to Collect and Prepare Fall Leaves

Leaf Walk Checklist

Here is what I put in the bag to cover most of the 20 crafts:

• A paper bag for each child.
• 3-5 big, sturdy leaves for stamping and painting.
• 5-10 small, flat leaves for collage and creatures.
• Two matching leaves for butterfly wings.
• One long leaf and one round leaf for a leaf person.
• A mix of colors for sorting and rainbow art: red, orange, yellow and green.
• A handful of dry, crunchy leaves for confetti (ages 4+).
• A smooth, blunt twig, checked by an adult.

Preserving Leaves

Fresh leaves work for most of these crafts, so you can start today. Want flat pressed leaves, or sturdier glycerin-soaked ones for the crown, garland and mobile? Start them a few days ahead. Both methods are in “Best Leaves and How to Preserve Them” after the crafts.

Leaf Printing, Rubbing and Painting Crafts

1. Leaf Rubbing

Supplies: 3-5 flat leaves, copy paper, crayons with the paper peeled off.

1. Set the leaf. Put the leaf vein-side up (the raised veins face the paper) on the table.
2. Cover it. Lay a sheet of paper on top. A grown-up or a free hand holds it still.
3. Rub. Rub the side of the crayon over the paper until the leaf pattern appears.

Variation: Try fall-colored crayons on white paper, white crayon on dark paper, or a paint wash over a white-crayon rubbing.

2. Leaf Stamping

Supplies: Fresh leaves, thick washable paint, paper, a paper plate for the paint.

1. Load the leaf. Brush paint onto the back of the leaf, where the veins are raised.
2. Press. Lay the leaf paint-side down on paper and press gently with your fingers.
3. Lift slowly. Peel from one edge to reveal the print.

Tip: Slightly thick paint works better than watery paint. If you get a blob, you used too much paint. Wipe the leaf and try again.

Our first print is nearly always a blob. We call it the practice leaf and stamp again.

3. Leaf Sun Catchers

Supplies: Clear self-adhesive contact paper, flat leaves, a paper plate.

1. Adult prep. An adult cuts the center out of the plate to make a ring, and cuts two pieces of contact paper bigger than the hole.
2. Add leaves. Peel one piece and set it sticky-side up. Press leaves onto it.
3. Seal. Cover with the second piece, sticky-side down, and smooth out air bubbles.
4. Frame and hang. Stick it to the plate ring, trim the edges, and have an adult hang it in a window.

Tip: Thin, flat leaves work best. Thick ones lift the contact paper.

4. Leaf Painting

Supplies: Large sturdy leaves, washable paint, brushes, a tray or newspaper.

1. Set up. Lay a leaf on the tray.
2. Paint. Use the leaf as a tiny canvas and paint designs right on the surface.
3. Dry flat. Let it dry, then display it on a windowsill.

Heads up: Leaves curl as they dry. Tuck them under a light book once the paint is no longer wet.

5. Leaf Resist Art

Supplies: Flat leaves, watercolor paper, watercolor paints, tape.

1. Tape down. A grown-up tapes each leaf flat to the paper.
2. Paint. Wash watercolors all over the paper, leaf and all.
3. Dry, then peel. Once dry, lift the leaves to reveal their shapes.

Heads up: Paint can sneak under the edges, so the shapes come out a little fuzzy. That’s part of the charm.

Want more open-ended painting? Try our process art for toddlers and watercolor painting for kids.

For more finds from the yard, try our nature crafts for kids using backyard finds.

Leaf Creature Crafts

6. Leaf Animals

Supplies: Assorted leaves, paper, glue stick or white glue, markers, googly eyes (4+) or drawn eyes.

1. Arrange first. Move leaves around into a fish, bird, butterfly or owl before any glue comes out.
2. Glue. Stick the pieces down.
3. Add details. Draw eyes and features with markers.

7. Leaf People

Supplies: One long leaf (body), one round leaf (head), paper, glue, markers.

1. Glue. Stick the long leaf down for the body and the round leaf above it for the head.
2. Draw. Add arms, legs, a face and accessories with markers.

8. Leaf Butterflies

Supplies: Two matching leaves, a smooth, blunt twig (an adult checks it), glue, paper.

1. Body. Glue the twig down the middle.
2. Wings. Glue one matching leaf on each side.
3. Antennae. Draw them with markers.

9. Leaf Hedgehog

Supplies: Lots of small leaves, paper, glue.

1. Outline. Draw the hedgehog’s body.
2. Spines. Glue leaves in rows as “spines,” starting at the back and overlapping toward the face.
3. Face. Draw an eye and nose.

10. Leaf Owl

Supplies: Assorted leaves, paper, glue, paper circles or drawn eyes (large googly eyes for ages 4+ only).

1. Body. Glue a large leaf down as the body.
2. Wings and ears. Add small leaves as wings and tiny leaves as ears.
3. Face. Add paper-circle or drawn eyes, or large googly eyes with an adult placing them, and draw a beak.

Love a fall character? See our paper bag scarecrow craft and acorn crafts for toddlers.

Leaf Collage and Pattern Crafts

11. Fall Tree Art

Supplies: Brown paper (trunk), leaves, large paper, glue.

1. Trunk. Glue the brown paper trunk to the large sheet.
2. Foliage. Glue leaves on as the tree’s canopy.
3. Ground. Add a few “fallen” leaves beneath the tree.

12. Leaf Mandala

Supplies: Many leaves in different sizes, plus paper or an outdoor spot.

1. Arrange. Lay leaves in a circle, largest outside and smallest in the center.
2. Keep or glue. Glue it to paper, or leave it as outdoor art. The wind will probably rearrange it.

Fair warning: a little sibling may rearrange it before the wind does. Take a photo the second it’s finished.

13. Leaf Sorting Collage

Supplies: Leaves, paper divided into sections, a glue stick.

1. Sort. Group leaves by color: red, orange, yellow.
2. Glue. Stick each group in its own section.

Tip: Glue sticks beat bottles for 2-year-olds. Less puddle, less licking.

14. Rainbow Leaf Art

Supplies: Leaves in a range of colors, paper, glue.

1. Line up. Order leaves from lightest to darkest, or green to yellow to orange to red.
2. Glue. Stick them down in a row or arc.

Toddlers can skip the ordering and just glue. For more low-mess ideas, see our mess-free painting activities for toddlers.

Wearable and Hanging Leaf Crafts

15. Leaf Crown

Supplies: A paper strip for the band, leaves (fresh, or glycerin-soaked so they crumble less), glue or tape.

1. Size it. An adult fits the paper strip to the child’s head and joins it with tape.
2. Decorate. The child glues or tapes leaves overlapping around the band.
3. Let it set. Wait until the glue is dry before wearing.

16. Leaf Garland

Supplies: Glycerin-soaked or fresh, sturdy leaves, hole punch, short string or ribbon.

1. Punch. An adult punches a hole near each leaf stem.
2. Thread. The child threads leaves onto the string.
3. Hang. An adult hangs it out of reach, away from blind cords.

Heads up: Thin leaves tear at the hole, and pressed leaves may crack there. Use thick fresh leaves or glycerin-soaked ones.

17. Leaf Mobile

Supplies: A smooth stick (sand any rough spots), short strings, leaves (glycerin-soaked ones hold up best).

1. Tie strings. Tie strings of different lengths to the stick.
2. Add leaves. Attach a leaf to the end of each string.
3. Balance and hang. An adult hangs it well away from cribs, beds and toddler play areas.

18. Leaf Bowl (Adult-Led)

Supplies: Leaves, Mod Podge or white glue and water, a balloon.

1. Inflate. An adult blows up and ties the balloon.
2. Layer. Brush sealer or glue mix on the balloon, press leaves on, then brush more over the top.
3. Dry. Let it dry completely. This can take a day or two.
4. Pop. An adult pops the balloon and discards every piece. The leaf bowl stays.

No-balloon option: Cover a plastic bowl with plastic wrap, layer leaves and glue mix over it, let it dry, then peel it off.

Heads up: Little hands will be coated in glue by the second leaf, and the bowl will come out lumpy. Lumpy still holds acorns.

Sensory Leaf Crafts

19. Leaf Confetti

Supplies: Dry, crunchy leaves (check for mold), a tray.

1. Check. An adult tosses any leaf that looks or smells moldy.
2. Crunch. Crush leaves by hand into tiny pieces over the tray.
3. Use. Sprinkle the confetti onto glued paper, then wash hands.

20. Leaf Sensory Bag

Supplies: Two zip-lock bags, cooled cornstarch gel (2 tablespoons cornstarch plus 1 cup cold water), small flat leaves, tape.

1. Cook the gel. An adult whisks 2 tablespoons cornstarch into 1 cup cold water until smooth, then stirs it constantly over low heat for about 2-4 minutes. Stop when it turns glossy and looks like a loose, clear jelly. Kids stay away from the stove and the hot pan.
2. Cool. Let the gel cool until it is cool to the touch before it goes in the bag. It thickens as it cools. If it sets stiff like paste, whisk in a spoonful of water.
3. Fill. Put gel and small leaves into one bag.
4. Seal. Press out the air, seal it, and slip it into the second bag.
5. Tape. Tape all the edges shut.
6. Squish. Push the leaves around through the sealed bag. It never gets opened.

Best Leaves and How to Preserve Them

Pick flat leaves in a mix of sizes, shapes (maple, oak, birch) and colors, including still-green ones. Then match the leaf to the craft:

Want leaves flatter or sturdier than fresh? Try one of these two methods.

Pressing Leaves

1. Layer. Place dry leaves between paper towels.
2. Weigh down. Stack heavy books on top.
3. Check. Swap the paper if it feels damp, and toss any leaf that looks moldy.
4. Wait. Give it 1-2 weeks.

Glycerin Soak (Less Crumbly)

1. Mix. An adult mixes 1 part food-grade glycerin with 2 parts warm water.
2. Soak. Use fresh, supple leaves. Submerge them and weigh them down with a small plate for 3-5 days.
3. Dry. Wipe each leaf dry on both sides so it isn’t sticky. The color may darken.

Displaying and Keeping Leaf Art

Ideas for Showcasing

• Frame a favorite pressed leaf or finished collage.
• Tape a row of pieces to one wall as a fall gallery.
• Hang sun catchers and painted leaves in a window.
• Turn flat art into placemats (an adult laminates, or use clear self-adhesive contact paper).
• Mail a piece to grandparents.
• Staple pages into a fall craft book.

Preserving Finished Artwork

• Child or adult: cover paper crafts with clear contact paper.
• Adult only: laminate paper crafts.
• Anyone: photograph the art and make a digital album.
• Adult only: for 3D pieces, use a brush-on sealer. If you use an aerosol sealant, spray outdoors, away from children, and let the piece dry fully before anyone handles it.
• Adult only: wax paper press. Place a dry, pressed leaf between two sheets of wax paper under a towel. Iron on low heat with no steam for 10-20 seconds, keep children away from the iron, and let it cool before handling.

Managing the Mess

Set out before the leaves arrive:

• A tray for each child.
• Glue sticks.
• Tape and clear contact paper.
• Newspaper or a table cover, or an outdoor table.
• Wet wipes within reach.
• Smocks or old clothes.

Then embrace the leaf crumbles and re-scattered piles. They’re part of it.

Related: Apple Crafts and Activities for Kids: 15 Fall Projects to Celebrate Apple Season · Acorn Crafts for Toddlers: 5 No-Mess Fall Projects to Try · Paper Bag Scarecrow Craft for Preschoolers (Step-by-Step)

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Tips for Fall Leaf Crafts

Grab a basket, head outside, and let your preschooler pick the leaves. Start with a rubbing or stamping, and expect a few crumbs on the floor.

Want more to do with the leaf pile? Try our sensory bin ideas for toddlers.

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