Do you have a lot of leaves gathering in your yard? It is possible to take some of those leaves and make them into art. Turn this activity into something your whole family participates in. The fall art you create can become inexpensive seasonal decorations.

How to Make Art with Leaves

Gather up some Leaves
The first step is to gather up some fall leaves. You will probably be able to find them in your yard. If not, then take a walk and collect up a few leaves as you go. Unlike spring flowers, no one will be upset that you took a few of their fall leaves with you! If anything, you saved them a little bit of work.

Ideally, you want to look for leaves that have not completely dried out. Choose the ones that have a little “give” to them. Leaves that are really brittle might not work out as well in an art project.

Crayon Leaf Rubbings
This form of fall art is so easy that even small children can do it. You will need some paper. The type of paper doesn’t really matter so long as it is thin. You can use construction paper, the paper the goes into your printer, or even yesterday’s newspaper. The print and ads in the newspaper will contrast with the leaf rubbings in an interesting way.

You will also need some crayons. The color doesn’t matter as all will work just as well. Pick fall colors like red, yellow, orange, and brown. Or, use some colors that happen to be your favorites.

Put a leaf on the table. Make sure the leaf is lying on its front. You want the back side, with the deeper “veins” to be facing up. Lay a piece of paper over the leaf. Hold the paper steady and use the side of a crayon to color over the leaf. This “rubbing” should pick up the texture and shape of the leaf. Move the paper around to make lots leaf rubbings.

“Stained Glass” Leaf Art
Creative Bug has instructions on how to take fall leaves and wax paper and make it into art. It won’t look like real stained glass, but it will look good when hung on a window with the sunlight shining through it.

You will need some fall leaves that are not completely dried out. Choose some that are in different colors, or pick several of the same shade. Put the leaves in between two sheets of wax paper. In short, you will be ironing the two pieces of wax paper so that they seal the leaves inside it. Children can place the leaves, but adults should be the one to use the iron.

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