leaves

Fall Leaf Crown Paper Crafts

November 23, 2025 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Fall is a beautiful time of year, and in many parts of the world, the leaves on trees turn brilliant red, orange, and yellow colors. If you’re looking for a simple, hands-on way to bring fall hues into your home or classroom, completing one or more of these Fall Leaf Crown Paper Crafts is the perfect project!

_______

Not only are the leaf crown crafts easy to make and fun to use in pretend play, but they also give participants a self-esteem boost for completing them and offer valuable scissor skill practice.

_______

Rather than needing to collect leaves from outdoors or use artificial leaves, the paper leaf crowns require only scissors and glue or tape to assemble. This means the crafts take little time, are low-mess, and are super simple to do.

You can find printables for making these fall leaf paper crown crafts in my Skills N Smiles Etsy shop. There are four designs to choose from for one low price. A BONUS is that the printable set includes a leaf wand paper craft.

_______

How to Make the Leaf Crown Paper Crafts

To assemble a fall leaf crown, cut out the front and back designs from the printable of choice. I recommend that children use child-safe scissors.

_______

Next, glue one end of the crown front to one end of the crown back.

Then fit the crown around a child’s head.

_______

Glue or tape the other ends together after the paper headband is fitted.

_______

Note: The leaf crown designs are for children aged three to nine. If a crown isn’t as wide as needed, add a small section of headband.

_______

How to Make the Leaf Wand Paper Craft

To assemble the leaf wand, cut out one of the designs.

_______

Then, using tape or a glue gun, affix a small chopstick-sized stick and two or more strips of thin ribbon to the paper leaf cut out.

_______

_______

_______

Wearing the crowns and selecting a wand to use transports children into a world of make-believe where they can become a forest king or queen, a mighty ruler, or a garden fairy. They engage in satisfying, meaningful, imaginative play.

_______

_______

More Activities With Leaves

Zucchini Leaf Paint Prints

Light Table Leaf Exploration

Fall Leaf Salad Spinner Art

Eye Dropper Leaf Art

Horse Chestnut Leaf Art Activities

Maple Leaf Activities

_______

[Read more…]

Colors of Fall Sensory Bin

October 13, 2025 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Fall is full of bright and bold hues, and so is this Colors of Fall sensory bin. Brilliant flowers and vibrant, plentiful leaves star in the gorgeous sensory invitation. The autumn sensory bin celebrates the end of our growing season, as the weather is about to become a lot colder, and leaves and flowers will soon dry out.

_______

Supplies in the Fall Sensory Bin

The following are the supplies used in this autumn-themed bin:

fall leaves
flowers
small rocks
twigs
squirt bottles
liquid watercolors
pitchers of water
mortar and pestle sets
eye droppers
bowls and spoons
cups

_______

The Colors of Fall Sensory Bin

As displayed in many of my other sensory invitations, the bin for this fall sensory activity is a large active world tray. It’s great for a group of children to explore together. The activity would work equally well in a smaller bin, with children taking turns to participate.

The many leaves in the octagonal bin come from the trees and plants in my yard. Lots have turned red, orange, yellow, or brown. Others remain green in the fall season.

_______

The flowers are also from my yard, picked just before the freezing nights that end their growing season.

_______

Clear squirt bottles hold water with a little orange, magenta, green, or blue liquid watercolors mixed in.

_______

Paired with the squirt bottles, pitchers filled with water offer many opportunities for color mixing and potion making in bowls and clear cups.

_______

Including eye droppers allows for more fub colored water squirting.

_______

Mortar and pestle sets are always a hit.

_______

Beautiful red and yellow Bergenia leaves are quickly set aside by some participants as treasures to keep.

_______

Magenta-hued water and bright flowers prove to be a highlight of the sensory experience.

_______

After a long time of engaging in sensory bin exploration, the colored water becomes a drawing tool for transient art on nearby pavement.

_______

A rock border adds a finishing touch to a heart-themed transient art creation.

_______

This Colors of Fall sensory bin is an awesome nature-themed activity, and is one of the most economical play-based learning ideas. The natural materials are a free filler. Most of the other supplies are reusable for other sensory play activities and are suitable for dramatic play setups.

What do you think?

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

More Fall Activities

Fall Drip Ice Cake

Fall Pom Pom Tree Craft

Fall Tablescape Pretend Play

Fall Leaf Salad Spinner Art

Fall Scissor Skills Activities

_______

[Read more…]

Zucchini Leaf Paint Prints

September 2, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

Fall is a popular time to do art activities with leaves. Aside from picking tree leaves to work with, don’t overlook garden plants as interesting subjects for leaf art projects. For instance, the zucchini plant is one with large, curvy leaves that beg to be used in painting or drawing projects. In this post, the garden plant is featured in a stunning zucchini leaf paint prints art activity.

Zucchini ready to be harvested in mid summer.

_______

Zucchini is a green summer squash with large yellow star-shaped flowers and silver-speckled leaves. All parts of the zucchini plant can be eaten, and it is a common food in many cultures.

A gorgeous star-shaped flower on a zucchini plant.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

Supplies To Collect

Gather the following supplies for zucchini leaf print art:

zucchini leaves
tempera paint in fall colors
paintbrush
paper towel sheets
garden or disposable gloves
11 x 14-inch sturdy art paper
waterproof tablecloth or large sheet of manilla paper

_______

Making The Zucchini Leaf Paint Prints

As this is a painting activity, first lay down a waterproof tablecloth. A large sheet of manilla paper also works fine.

Next, fill paint pots with red, green, yellow, and orange tempera paint.

A large, silver-speckled zucchini leaf ready to paint for a leaf printmaking activity.

_______

Then set up a station with a zucchini leaf, a paintbrush, and a paper towel sheet. Add pots filled with red, yellow, green, and orange paint.

Put on gloves and paint the leaf, dabbing excess paint onto a paper towel sheet between colors.

A zucchini leaf is a good subject for a printmaking activity. The painted leaf makes a beautiful paint print.

_______

When the leaf is covered in paint, carefully flip it over on a large sheet of all-purpose art paper, gently pressing all parts of the leaf down.

A leaf print in fall colors made with a large zucchini leaf and tempera paint. An all-ages art activity everyone will enjoy.

_______

If the leaf is covered with a lot of paint, a second print can be made with it. The print has a little less paint but looks equally beautiful.

How to make a leaf print in fall colors with a large zucchini leaf and tempera paint. An all-ages art activity everyone will enjoy.

_______

Note: The stem and back of the zucchini leaf are a little prickly, so wearing a pair of garden or disposable gloves is advisable.

_______

Zucchini Leaf Tracing

Zucchini leaves have interesting curves and edges and also make good subjects for tracing. Before painting the zucchini leaf, trace around it and then color it in with crayons or pencil crayons. Or use the zucchini leaf template below to paint or color.

A free zucchini leaf template for art and craft activities.

_______

Zucchini Leaf PrintableDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

_______

Zucchini Leaf Transient Art

Once the printmaking activity is done, the painted leaf can be displayed for a few days or even a couple of weeks. Although the leaf isn’t flat at the start, it becomes very flat afterward, making it easy to work with in a wall display.

Or you can just paint the leaf as a transient art project without using it for printmaking

A painted zucchini leaf used in printmaking can be displayed for a few days or weeks as transient art.

_______

Pumpkin Leaf Transient Art

A pumpkin leaf also makes a great canvas, as it is large and uniquely shaped. As a transient art activity, set out a pumpkin leaf for a painting activity. You may want to tape the back of the leaf down to make it a little flatter before using it as a canvas.

A large pumpkin leaf on a vine can be picked and used in a transient art painting activity.

_______

Paint a large pumpkin leaf canvas with fall-colored tempera paints for a beautiful transient art project.

_______

More Leaf Activities

Fall Leaf Crown Paper Crafts

Make a gorgeous leaf crown craft with one of these leaf crown printables.

_______

Maple Leaf Activities

Spin Painting Maple Leaf Art

Horse Chestnut Leaf Art Activities

_______

[Read more…]

Shamrock Leaf Print Art

March 12, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

Shamrock leaf print art is an activity I’ve wanted to try for a few years now, and this spring I carved out time for it. The art project is easy and enjoyable to do, and I am sure you will like it too.

A good time to try this leaf print art activity is around St. Patrick’s Day, as shamrock plants are plentiful in stores then. The compound leaves on the plant look like the shamrock symbol that the country of Ireland is known for. Irish people think shamrocks represent good luck, and they are prominent in clothing, decorations, and tableware during St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

An Oxalis Regnelli shamrock plant with compound leaves composed of three triangular leaflets.

_______

The shamrock plant I found is called Oxalis Regnellii, which comes from Africa and some parts of the Americas. It has delicate leaves with three triangle-shaped leaflets. The leaves fold up neatly on overcast days and anytime it is dark, and open up when they are exposed to sunlight. The tiny, white, long-stemmed flowers have five petals.

A tiny white flower on an Oxalis Regnellii plant.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

Supplies To Collect

Gather the following supplies for this nature-based art project:

shamrock plant
green and purple acrylic or tempera paint
paint pots
paintbrushes
purple and green pencil crayons
all-purpose art paper
green and purple construction paper
newspaper or manila paper
magnifying glasses

_______

Making The Shamrock Leaf Print Art

Before using the shamrock leaves for printmaking, give participants a chance to study the plant. Offer magnifying glasses to view the leaves and dainty flowers with yellow stamens. Set the plant out in a sunny place and then put it in a dark area to see how its leaves fold down and spread out depending on how much sunlight the plant is getting.

To prepare the art activity, snip a few leaves off the plant to use for making paint prints.

Steps to make beautiful shamrock leaf print art. This is an easy-to-do all-ages nature art project

_______

Next, lay down newspaper sheets or a large piece of manilla paper for participants to work on.

Then add an art station with a sheet of all-purpose art paper, leaf sprig, paintbrush, and green acrylic paint for each participant. My paper size is an 11-inch x 14-inch inch sheet cut in half, creating a 7-inch x 11-inch piece to work on.

Note: Non-toxic tempera paint is a good choice for young children taking part in the activity.

Afterward, invite participants to brush the tops of the leaflets on their sprig thoroughly with green paint, flip the leaf over, and carefully press the painted sides down on the paper. Have them gently rub their fingers over the leaflets and pat the edges down to transfer as much paint to the paper as possible.

Beautiful shamrock leaf print art with leaves from the Oxalis Regnelli plant. This is a nature art project that is perfect for St. Patrick's Day.

_______

Then ask everyone to slowly lift their leaf off the paper canvas and repaint it to make more leaf prints. The shamrock leaves are delicate, but when handled gently they can be used a few times. If someone’s leaf tears, offer a new sprig to use.

When the paint prints are dry, ask participants to use a pencil crayon to add stems to the leaves.

As a finishing touch, mount each shamrock leaf print art project on a similar-colored construction paper background.

_______

Making Purple Shamrock Leaf Print Art

A purple shamrock, called Oxalis Triangularis, has similarly shaped leaves and flowers as the Oxalis Regnallii. This purple shamrock showcases deep purple, dark-edged leaves that respond to darkness and light in the same way.

A purple shamrock plant with compound leaves composed of three triangular leaflets.

_______

With purple acrylic or tempera paint, let participants create shamrock prints just as they were made in green.

_______

If there are any leaves left on the plant after the printmaking activity is done, add them to a playdough activity. Or have someone without pets take the plant home to care for.

Note: All Oxalis plants are toxic to dogs, cats, and grazing animals such as horses and must be kept out of their reach. These plants are slightly toxic to humans. Make sure to supervise all shamrock leaf activities closely so that no one ingests the leaves.

_______

More Shamrock-themed Activities:

Shamrock Paper Plate Lion

Shamrock Dissolving Candy Experiment

St. Patrick’s Day Painted Shamrock

Shamrock Rolling Pin Art

Scissor Skill Shamrock Collage

[Read more…]

Light Table Leaf Exploration

October 29, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

One of the nicest places to observe colors and shapes in fall leaves is on the light table. Early learners get the chance to investigate natural materials indoors. The leaves get illuminated and their stripes, spots, and beautiful colors become even more noticeable. And best of all, there are a lot of learning possibilities in this light table leaf exploration activity.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

Supplies To Collect

Fall leaf matching on the light table is easy with silhouettes drawn on overhead transparencies.

_______

Gather the following supplies for this low-prep, economical nature play invitation:

leaves in different colors, shapes, textures, and sizes
overhead transparencies
black permanent marker
“leaf” word strip
transparent alphabet letters
magnifying glasses
artificial flowers in vases

_______

Light Table Leaf Exploration

To collect the leaves, take your little charges on a nature walk. Give everyone a bag and ask each participant to find leaves in different shapes, sizes, and colors.

Back at home or in class, set some of the leaves on a light table for the children to view. Invite everyone to explore, sort, and arrange the foliage.

Extra leaves can be placed in an indoor DIY mud kitchen or added to a sensory tub.

Include magnifying glasses for early learners to see leaf veins and midribs clearly.

Fall leaves look extra pretty on the light table. And this leafy center has many learning opportunities.

_______

Place a word strip with the word “leaf” on the table, and include transparent alphabet letters. Encourage children to say and spell the word.

Fall flower sprigs in vases add ambiance to the center.

Exploring leaves is super fun on the light table. Magnifying glasses and the word "leaf" add learning possibilities to the center.

_______

Overhead Transparency Leaf Silhouettes

Trace some of the leaves onto overhead transparencies using a black permanent marker. Invite your early learners to match the light-enhanced leaves to their silhouettes.

Leaf matching on the light table is easy with silhouettes drawn on overhead transparencies.

_______

Light Table Leaf Exploration Benefits

This simple sensory activity has so many learning opportunities. Here are some possibilities this leaf light table setup offers:

recognizing leaf colors
counting and sorting leaves
shape matching
ordering leaves by size
alphabet letter identification
learning to make and spell a word
discussing leaf midribs and veins
creating designs with leaves

_______

More Leaf Activities

Eyedropper Leaf Art

Fall Leaf Crown Paper Crafts

Make a gorgeous leaf crown craft with one of these leaf crown printables.

_______

[Read more…]