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You are here: Home / Archives for Fall

Leaf Art Activity for Kids [Leaves and Glue]

By Rachelle

Super easy leaf art activity for small kids. All you’ll need for this activity are leaves, glue, paper, and a paintbrush.

First, gather a selection of fall leaves, a fun outdoor bonding activity before the art making. Clear a table, set up your materials, and invite your child to attach leaves to a piece of chipboard or cardboard. Your child will explore texture, practice fine motor skills, and exercise independent thinking. 

This process leaf art activity for kids is easy to set up and a developmentally appropriate art experience for toddlers and preschoolers. Here at TinkerLab we call these simple process-oriented prompts Art Starters because they’re easy tools for helping kids get started with art. With Art Starters, keep in mind that the journey is the destination.

This is also an example of the weekly prompts our members receive in TinkerLab Schoolhouse. Add your name to our mailing list and we’ll send you a Schoolhouse-style PDF of this activity.

Get the [FREE] printable activity guide

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    There are two things I adore about today’s process leaf art activity:

    1. It’s low-cost
    2. It helps us connect to nature.
    3. Bonus: collecting leaves with young children adds extra meaning to this project, extending it into a nature walk.

    The Benefits of “Leaves and Glue”

    This activity will help children…

    • develop fine-motor skills
    • learn to work independently
    • build creative confidence through experimentation
    • Encourage creative thinking
    • build an eye for aesthetics by developing a composition
    • develop a broader understanding of upcycling materials (i.e. leaves) as art supplies
    Creative Table with Leaves and Glue

    Supplies: Leaves and Glue

    1. Leaves
    2. Chip board or card board
    3. A sturdy paintbrush
    4. Shallow bowl or plate filled with glue

    leaves and glue on paper

    Step One: Clear Your Table

    Remove any distractions that will take your child’s focus away from the creative invitation. Create a set-up that looks something like our photo (above).

    Arrange the leaves artfully to make this appeal to your child’s aesthetic sensibility.

    Once the table is “set,” ask your child if he or she would like to use/explore/experiment with these supplies.

    leaves and glue painting

    Challenges and Critical Thinking

    One of the exciting challenges in this prompt relates to gluing down bumpy, twisted, and generally non-compliant leaves. If your child is frustrated by the non-flat quality of your leaves, or has difficulty gluing them down, this is an opportunity to tease out solutions. You could say something like, “Hmmm, I see you’re having trouble attaching the leaf to the paper. What could we do to help it stick better?” From that, ideas such as “add more glue” or “turn the leaf over” might emerge.

    Variations:

    • Replace leaves with paper cut into leaf shapes, circles, rectangles, etc.
    • Tint the glue with a little bit of food coloring or liquid watercolors
    • Before you set up the invitation, go on a leaf hunt together to collect your materials

    Filed Under: Creative Table, Fall Tagged With: fall, invitation to create, leaf, process art

    The Great Big Family Fall List

    By Rachelle

    Our family loves the fall season, and it usually begins by creating a list of all the things we’d like to do, like leaf peeping, visiting the pumpkin patch, and making apple cider. That’s how this list came to be. It’s a compilation of some of our favorite fall activities, plus extra ideas from friends and family.

    We’re on a mission to keep things simple and there’s no way we’d do everything on this list (although we’ve come close!). It is a handy reminder, however, of what’s possible, so we can “apple-pick” some favorites to get us into the Fall spirit.

    High on my list this year? Finding pumpkins at the pumpkin patch, popping corn straight off the cob because it’s just spectacular, enjoying pumpkin spice coffee (just for me, not the kids!), donating to a food bank, roasting s’mores in the fire pit, and painting on leaves.

    What’s on your list?

    Some of the items on this list are TinkerLab projects or projects from well-loved blogs. I’ll add links to those below. Most of all, if you like having a handy list for the fridge, you can download this list as a printable PDF (totally free). Scroll on down for that…

    50 Family Fall Activities

    Fall List Activity Links

    Make Pumpkin Pie Play Dough: Recipe for Pumpkin Pie Playdough

    Paint a Pumpkin: If you’d like to do something with a pumpkin besides carve it, try painting a pumpkin in any color. Be sure to use the paint recommended in this recipe!

    Pop Corn from a Cob: While we all know how to pop corn in a bag, have you ever tried popping a cob? It can be done! How to Make Popcorn from a Cob. So easy!

    Create a Leaf Craft: There are so many fall leaf crafts! For example, Make Leaf Critters or try Coffee Filter Leaf Sun Catchers

    Make Apple Prints: How to Set up an Apple Printing Station

    Try making an Acorn Craft: Make Acorn Animals

    Set up a Leaf Collage Project for your Preschooler: I have two really easy projects for you that you can do right away. Try the  Tree Trunk Leaf Collage or Contact Paper Autumn Collage.

    Roast Pumpkin Seeds: Because you’re cooking pumpkin anyway, you really can’t go wrong with roasting up the seeds.

    Make Glycerin Leaves: It can be hard to keep treasured leaves around for too long due to them turning brittle in days. Try this recipe to preserve your leaves in glycerin.

    Create a Thankful List: Here’s a fun example of how my little one dictated her gratitude to me while I typed it up on the typewriter!

    Construct an Autumn Wreath: Leaves and permanent markers help this pretty wreath come together.

    Make a Pie: Try this Freezer-ready Chicken Pot Pie

    Would you like a printable version of this list? Just fill out the form and the PDF will get delivered straight to your inbox.

    Get the fall activity checklist (PDF)

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      Filed Under: Fall

      Fall Craft Ideas | Leaf Critters

      By Rachelle

      This simple painted leaf tutorial is a keeper for kids of all ages. If you’re looking for more ways to enjoy the fall season, don’t miss our printable list of 50 Family Fall Activities. When autumn arrives, children enjoy experiencing the seasonal shift with related art experiences that build lasting family traditions.

      This Art Starter (an open-ended art prompt that’s open to interpretation) is an example of the weekly prompts our members receive in TinkerLab Schoolhouse. If you’d like to receive a new batch of prompts like this each week, join the waitlist and be the first to hear about the next Schoolhouse enrollment session.

      We’ll start by collecting an assortment of leaves. Choose leaves that have already fallen, when possible. Try not to gather leaves that are too crunchy as they’re more likely to disintegrate at the art table.

      When home, collect the rest of your supplies. I recommend acrylic paint because it has the best staying power, but for little ones, Crayola (affiliate) makes an amazing washable tempera paint.

      Supplies

      Note: this list contains affiliate links.

      • Leaves
      • Paint. I love this washable paint option from Crayola. If you’d like to invest in some amazing acrylics (on the more expensive side), Golden Fluid glides on effortlessly and is one of my favorites.
      • Small + thin paintbrushes. I love this inexpensive set.
      • White glue
      • Bowl of water to wash brushes
      • Marker. I happen to love Sharpies, and these are a great deal.
      • Rag to dry brush
      • Card Stock paper (optional)
      Fall Craft Ideas | Leaf Critters | TinkerLab.com

      Steps: Painted Fall Leaf Critters

      Before you start painting, take a look at the leaf and try to figure out what kind of critter you want it to be. Will it be a fish, octopus, or monster? If you have a toddler or preschooler, they may be very happy just painting lines, dots, and shapes all over the leaves. Whatever they choose, be sure to create space for it and follow their lead.

      Fall Craft Ideas | Leaf Critters | TinkerLab.com

      Paint eyes on with white paint.

      Fall Craft Ideas | Leaf Critters | TinkerLab.com

      Layer on some details…

      And then, if you like, glue it to a sheet of paper and add more details with marker.

      Snap a photo of your creation!

      Fall Craft Ideas | Leaf Critters | TinkerLab.com

      And there you have it: a fun and simple way to celebrate Fall.

      Get our how to guide

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        Make it a Party!

        Gather some friends together, ask them to bring a small collection of fresh leaves, set up all the materials ahead of time, and serve hot apple cider.

        More Fall Craft Ideas with Leaves

        There are two blogs that you HAVE to check out…

        The Artful Parent has awesome ideas for painting on leaves. Leaf drawing and doodling is lovely for little kids who aren’t yet drawing things that are realistic and Leaf Peepers is like these Leaf Critters with the addition of sticky google eyes. So cute.

        14 Ways to Paint Leaves ArtBarBlog pulls some of the best painted leaf posts together in one place. Be sure to check this out for lots of ways to turn those leaves into works of art.

        Fall Craft Ideas | Leaf Critters | TinkerLab.com
        Fall Craft Ideas | Leaf Critters | TinkerLab.com

        Filed Under: Fall

        16 Fun Halloween Crafts for Kids

        By Rachelle

        Here comes Halloween! I scoured some of my favorite kid-friendly sites and found this awesome selection of Halloween Crafts for Kids. I think you’ll love them.

        What does this Halloween Crafts for Kids roundup include?

        • Ghosts, pumpkins, spider webs, mummies, monsters, and skeletons.
        • Activities for toddlers, preschoolers, and school age kids.
        • Crafts that kids can actually do. Some with a little adult assistance.
        • Projects that use easy-to-find household materials such as spaghetti, cardboard rolls, candy, paint, string, jars, egg cartons, gauze, and cotton balls.
        • Sixteen projects to keep us busy for a while!

        Halloween Crafts for Kids

        Easy and Fun Halloween Crafts for Kids | TinkerLab

        Let’s get started…

        Halloween Crafts for Kids | TinkerLab.com

        Even little kids can get in on the Halloween action with this festive Cotton Ball Ghost for Toddlers: No Time for Flash Cards

        This Pumpkin Mummy Family is not messy to make and beyond cute: Hands on as we Grow

        Build fine-motor skills with this simple Marshmallow Skull Craft: No Time for Flash Cards

        I would have to give in to my kids’ begging to eat the candy corn while making this Candy Corn Monster but it would be worth it: Crafty Morning

        Halloween Crafts for Kids | TinkerLab.com

        These Marble + Paint Spider Webs are toddler-friendly. Making these is soooo addictive : TinkerLab

        The tutorial for these Handmade Spider Sacks is wonderful! : Modern Parents Messy Kids

        Cut up some circles and then invite your child to decorate for this Easy DIY Halloween Garland: TinkerLab

        Add a little holiday glow to a dark patio or room with these Halloween Lantern Jars: Red Ted Art

        Halloween Crafts for Kids | TinkerLab.com

        Use cardboard rolls as the base for a Monster Mobiles, and let your child have fun decorating: Happy Hooligans

        Got K-cups? Save them for a Recycled K-cup Recycled Lantern: Handmade Kids Art

        These Glowing Pumpkin and Monster Jars are dipped in colored salt! What a cool texture: Fantastic Fun and Learning

        Make a handprint spider and practice lacing in this Handprint Spider in a Spider Web: Mom Endeavors

        Halloween Crafts for Kids | TinkerLab.com

        Before making a Spaghetti Spider Web, build memories by inviting a child to play with slimy, green spaghetti: Hands on as we Grow

        Fun! With the addition of a rubber band, make this Easy Halloween Craft Bouncy Spider: Kids Activities Blog

        Invite your child to cover paper with masking tape, and then cut out a Masking Tape Mummy: No Time for Flash Cards

        Save those egg cartons for this simple Egg Carton Bat: Crafty Morning

        More Halloween Ideas

        If you enjoyed this post, you have to check out 50 Simple Halloween Ideas for Kids.

        Fun and Easy Halloween Crafts for Kids | TinkerLab.com

        Filed Under: Art Activities, Halloween Tagged With: crafts, halloween

        Fall Craft Ideas: Paint Coffee Filter Suncatchers

        By Rachelle

        If you’re interested in ways to bring the Fall season to life, today I’m sharing fall craft idea that encourages children to be inventive and think independently.

        A Fall Art Invitation: Coffee Filter Leaf Sun Catchers

        Present the Supplies as an Art Invitation

        If you follow TinkerLab, you know that I appreciate projects that encourage children to think for themselves and come up with their own unique spin on the materials. Like so many of our projects, I present the supplies to my children as an art invitation. Once the supplies are in front of my kids, they are free to use the materials in any way the please.

        So, what will we need?

        The supplies for this project are so easy!

        A Fall Art Invitation: Coffee Filter Leaf Sun Catchers

        Here’s the set-up…

        A Fall Art Invitation: Coffee Filter Leaf Sun Catchers

        Pre-cut coffee filters into leaf shapes. As you can see in the first image in this post, there were a few requests for hearts too. Related to that, this is by no means an exclusive-to-Autumn activity. Cut out hearts, moons, trees, flowers, or even shamrocks. Have fun with this!

        Place the cut-out shapes on a tray. We used an art tray, but a cookie sheet with a rim will work equally well. You’ll want the tray because this project can get drippy, and all that liquid will be nicely contained in this walled-off area. I found our art trays at Michaels and spotted something similar over on Amazon (affiliate link).

        For two children, you can have them share a bowl of water as I did, or give them each their own water (they would appreciate that, I’m sure!).

        A Fall Art Invitation: Coffee Filter Leaf Sun Catchers

        At ages three and six, my kids had very different approaches to this task.

        As you can see from the dot-covered table, my three-year old had a GREAT time exploring dot-making on the table. My older daughter experimented with drawing veins and rainbow effects, and her little sister soon got on board with similar tasks.

        It’s always interesting to see how artists influence each other, and I’m 100% okay with copying as it’s a way of learning.

        A Fall Art Invitation: Coffee Filter Leaf Sun Catchers

        Kids also like to experiment with different paintbrushes (flat, round, fan, skinny, and fat) to achieve a variety of textures and lines. If you have a collection of paintbrushes, this is a great project to bring them out for.

        Drying the Coffee Filters

        If your child gets into this project, you will have A LOT of painted coffee filters to contend with. As such, you’ll need to set up a space to dry these gorgeous leaves.

        Roll out a large sheet of paper or lay down newspaper, and then place the painted cut-outs on the paper until dry. Because the paper is so thin, they tend to dry incredibly fast!

        A Fall Art Invitation: Coffee Filter Leaf Sun Catchers

        Once dry, hang the shapes in a window with a bit of transparent tape. Admire the colors as the sun shines through them.

        More Fall Craft Ideas

        Make a shimmering Fall Lantern

        This easy Sticky Autumn Collage is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers

        Preserve your leaves in glycerin with Glycerin Leaves

        This is our favorite play dough recipe, with a fall scent: DIY Pumpkin Pie Playdough

        Make Leaf Sun Prints as a way to preserve leaf shapes on fabric.

        And for a whole slew of Autumn ideas, check out the fun Fall Bucket List

        Is this your first time here?

        Join the Tinkerlab network and be the first to know about simple art + science projects for kids, creativity tips, and simple ideas that will make your life more creative. Sign up for our newsletter.

        TinkerLab Newsletter

        In case you blinked and missed it, TinkerLab rounds up all the great stuff on the internets on keeping you and your critters creative and wraps it up for you in a tidy newsletter! (And throws in some secret giveaways for good measure!)  – Yuliya P., San Francisco, CA

        Join our community and you’ll learn:

        • How to simplify your life and make more room for creativity
        • How to make hands-on making a part of your everyday life
        • Easy, actionable ways to raise creative kids

        Filed Under: Art Activities, Elementary, Fall, Pre-School Tagged With: autumn, fall

        Popcorn Cob: How to Pop Popcorn from a Cob

        By Rachelle

        Popcorn Cob? Yes, this is a thing! And if you haven’t tried this yet, I highly recommend it.

        This is a fun activity in the fall months when dry corncobs, also known as Indian Corn, are abundant. We recently visited a local farm. After watching them mill dried corn into animal feed, they sent us home with organic cobs of dried corn to make into popcorn. Amazing, right?

        Did you know that it’s perfect for popping? I didn’t, so for us this was a true, yummy experiment.

        This post contains affiliate links.

        Where can I find Popcorn on the Cob?

        If you don’t have a source for dried corn cobs like we did, don’t worry! You can find them in some gourmet shops and online.

        We’ve picked dried Indian Corn at farm stands, and Farmer’s Popcorn Cobs at Sur La Table and Amazon: beautiful ears of corn, non-GMO + Kansas grown.

        Supplies for Corn Cob Popcorn

        Farmer’s Popcorn Cob (Amazon, pack of 3)

        Paper Bags

        Microwave

        Before you start

        To build excitement and curiosity, ask some questions about popcorn and how it’s made.

        What happens when we put dried popcorn and oil on the stovetop?

        What do you think will happen if we put dried popcorn in the microwave?

        Do you think it would be the same or different if we microwave dried corn cob?

        How to make Popcorn with a Dried Corn Cob

        1. Place the cob in a brown paper lunch bag.
        2. Fold the bag up a couple times to keep the steam in
        3. Cook the cob in the microwave. Set it to a popcorn setting if you have that.

        My little one (with face paint) was so excited when it started popping in the microwave. We cooked it on the popcorn setting, which is about two and half minutes long. As with any other popcorn, open the microwave door when the popping sounds slow down.

        We opened it up for a peek, and it was gorgeous.

        Marvel at how much popcorn came off of one little cob!

        The ends of this ear didn’t pop off and actually singed up a bit.  My daughter loved the whole process, right on down to eating the corn.

        Click here to get our free downloadable list of 50 fun ways to celebrate fall with kids.

        The Popcorn Book and Popcorn Breakfast

        To extend this into a fun literacy moment, read The Popcorn Book by Tomie de Paola. It’s funny, and an instant childhood favorite. My kids love it.

        When we read the book we learned that “The Colonists like it [popcorn] so much that they served popcorn for breakfast with cream poured on it.” Try turning your popcorn into an old fashioned breakfast treat with Popcorn Cereal. 

        How to make corncob popcorn - an easy and fun fall treat for kids. from TinkerLab

        More Fall Ideas for Kids

        50 Things to do with your family this fall. Are you wondering what to do with the family this fall? Get the free Great Big Family Fall List!

        Make Pumpkin Pie Playdough. A sensory favorite for toddlers and preschoolers. > Pumpkin Pie Playdough Recipe

        Leaf Collages. If you have access to leaves, I have two really easy projects for you that you can do right away. Try the  Tree Trunk Leaf Collage or Contact Paper Autumn Collage.

        Warm your home with this pretty lantern. Make this beautiful fall lantern from crayons.

        Create a Leaf Craft: There are so many fall leaf crafts! For example, Make Leaf Critters or try Coffee Filter Leaf Sun Catchers

        Make Apple Prints: How to Set up an Apple Printing Station

        Preserved Leaves. Avoid watching your beautiful fall leaves break apart and try preserving them in glycerin.

        Filed Under: Fall Tagged With: dried corn, experiment, microwave, popcorn, popping

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