Autumn Leaf Decoration: Nature Craft
Children (and adults) enjoy collecting autumn leaves. Wandering around neighborhoods or trails shares any number of splendid fall leaves. We collect them on the nature table and use felt leaves for garlands. Then I wondered if we could create something lovely using real leaves.
The real leaf garlands brought gorgeous color into our classrooms. The concept for them is incredibly simple.
Step one was usually a question. Could we sew leaves? And that prompted lots of ideas for yes or no. Then I shared that we could make decorations for the window (or anywhere- we love the light through colorful leaves). We created a plan to collect leaves on a walk around the playground. We have guidance not to pick leaves off of plants or trees. Only choose leaves on the ground.
I might share that the leaf needs to be soft because if it’s crunchy or brittle, it can fall apart when you sew through it. If you are creating these with children of your own, you may want to let them discover this on their own- like what happens when you try to sew a dry leaf? In a classroom, that meant quite a messy project.
We use crochet thread (size 3) which doesn’t tangle very easily. We cut a length of red or amber thread (any color would be fine). We use tapestry needles with very blunt tips or embroidery needles with large eyes for older students. We thread the needle and bring both ends even to tie a slip knot. This way, the needle cannot be pulled off of the thread by accident.
Sewing the leaves is a very simple process of pushing the needle through one leaf. Pull that leaf where you like it on the thread. The leaves tend to stay where you slide them on the thread since they’re light. Then add another leaf. By having thread go through a leaf once, the leaves “lean” one way or the other and look like they’re tumbling down in the window. Once you reach near the end, snip the needle free of the thread and tie a slip knot or double knot to hang anywhere.
The leaves will dry out eventually (which can be a science observation in itself- how long does it take for them to dry out?). You can take them down and outside to crunch them into mulch to return to the soil. The thread can be used for another project if you like.
I have read about preserving leaves with beeswax, which you could research if you want a display to last longer. I did find it lovely to see how nature is astonishing and fleeting all at the same time.
If you are making these with a class, or group of children, it’s helpful to thread the needles and tie the first knot ahead of time.
The walk to discover leaves, the sewing of leaves, and the enjoyment of leaves catching the light means that this activity combines nature and fine motor skills. I would often invite children to sew a second garland to take home because they enjoyed it so much.
Autumn is such a lovely season.
We hope you’re inspired to create a few garlands for your own space to celebrate the season.
Another idea- identify the trees from their leaves. Look them up online or use a leaf identification book to learn more about the trees in your neighborhood.
Happy autumn! 🍂🍁🍂
Autumn in the Forest
Hurrah for autumn! The fairies, gnomes, and critters are so excited for the changing season. They decorate with colorful garlands of russet and burgundy. Dance in the falling leaves. Snack on crisp apples and pumpkin pie. We love so many things about autumn!
We are often asked what is in each book celebrating the season. Of course, we invite crafters to bring their own creative vision to each project. Its easy to make any fairy (or mermaid or gnome) into a fall theme using colors of autumn, from burnt umber to bright orange.
Of course, you could also purchase both books which will give you all the crafts :)
Autumn in Forest Fairy Crafts
Witch, Wizard, and Warlock
Pumpkin Fairy
Zombies
Cat Treasure Keeper (customize with colors)
Owl Pocket Treasure Keeper
Autumn in Magical Forest Fairy Crafts Through the Seasons
Autumn Gnome
Autumn Fairies with Leaf Wings
Chubby Cat Stuffy
Chubby Fox Stuffy
Autumn Leaf Garland
Click here for a FREE tutorial for Moody Pumpkins
Moody Pumpkins are a fun fall activity that also invites conversations about moods, and how we look when happy or sad or mad. These conversations can feel obvious to adults, yet creating a way to show different expressions can be super helpful for young children. We’re happy to share the activity with all of you. And they’re fun decorations!
We wish everyone a fun and creative autumn! And, if you’re on the opposite end of the world, happy spring! We have you covered with plenty of spring crafts too :)
We look forward to crunching through leaves while watching colors blaze on our favorite trees. We look forward to harvest treats and adventures. And we look forward to collecting our gratitudes as the season gets underway.
Thank you for sharing the journey with us!
* post does contain affiliate links. Should you choose to purchase our books, a small amount returns to the forest while your price remains the same. Thank you!
Favorite Fall Fairy Crafts
A few of our favorite Spooky Fairy Crafts
Spooky in the Forest is all about the fun of October. We love the darker paths, the gnarled trees and long shadows of evening. In the forest, our zombies have a sweet tooth. They enjoy tea parties. Our witches are candy-makers. Their cottages are sweetness and celebrations.
We have collected a few of our favorites through the years in this post. We have the link for a Free Moody Pumpkin Tutorial here! Moody Pumpkins can change their mouth to show happy, sad, angry, or confused. Kids love sewing them all over the world. Thank you for sharing photos of your moody pumpkins with us!
Moody Pumpkins in the Forest
We also have hints for sewing pumpkins with groups of children here.
A subtle change in an afternoon breeze signals a wonderful new season. Hints of falling leaves and a slight golden shimmer to sunshine whispers "autumn is here".
We love autumn in the Forest. The fairies adore a summer ball and a winter holiday, but they also love autumn. They love the way trees become a riot of color. How wind rattles leaves along the ground. They love the crisp air. They love pumpkin spice everything (don't we all?) They love to decorate!
A few of our October favorites are here. We have a few new ideas to share over the next couple of weeks too. Fairies love to dress up for the season!
Fairy Witch by Lenka
I love to make witches and warlocks. The tutorials for step-by-step instructions are in our book.
I also love zombies. The fun about fairy zombies is that these fairies really, really don't care about being tidy. Smear the ink on their faces. Wind the thread in wackadoodle directions, layer torn fabrics... Zombie fairies love it all.
One hint for zombies is to look in local Halloween displays for 'creepy cloth' or other table decorations that can become clothing. I bought a mantle cover of gray creepy cloth about three years ago. I still have tons of it left!
Fairy Zombie by Lenka
Instructions for the zombie and Pumpkin Fairy are in our book as well.
Pumpkin Fairy by Asia
This pumpkin fairy is such a sweet Halloween friend and decoration. The stuffed pumpkin is attached to the fairy. Though I imagine you could make the pumpkin-styled sleeping bag that the fairy sleeps inside... ooh, ideas!
Anyway, this playful fairy is so fun for the season.
Of course, if you want an easy way to create a few spooky fairies and crafts of your own, you can visit our Etsy Shop. We have one Pumpkin Fairy Craft Kit. We also have a Spooky Toy Maker Kit that has lots of supplies, including creepy cloth!
Spooky Toy Maker Kit
And if you would like to have a witch of your own made by Lenka, we have one left. She's a bit sassy :)
Fairy Witch by Lenka
You can find her here.
Enjoy all the fun of the season!
*this post does contain affiliate links to our book. If you choose to purchase, we receive a small commission while your price remains the same. Thank you for supporting the Forest.
Thankful for Nature
Our world is amazing. Whether we live in a forest, or a meadow, or a city, magic is right outside our doors. This time of year, we love talking about gratitude with family, friendships, food. One of my personal favorite actitivies is bringing children outside and asking them, "What do you appreciate here?"
Having things to touch and explore and collect helps children notice the world that can easily be taken for granted. We can walk past trees or building. It's easy to focus on the destination: going to school, to the park, to the store...
This time I just go outside. I invite children to collect one treasure (maybe two). I wander. On purpose.
We look up.
We look down.
We notice the passing beauty all around. And we ask questions. We become curious. "What are the spiky things on that tree?" "Why do these leaves change colors?"
This appreciation is simple. And lasting. Children share their treasures.
I love photos because I can take a picture, then they can leave nature in the forest (or side of the parking lot, which is where he found this tiny pine cone).
They are so excited by their discoveries.
We slow down and notice how the air feels. How does the sun feel on our face? The breeze in our hair?
We are so fortunate, to have these gifts around us every day. No small things.
When we finish the walk, we write poems to remember those feelings. Those discoveries.
To remind us. The world is an amazing place. We have so much to be thankful for :)
She found a leaf shaped like a heart.
We also place our treasures in a display. Since we are a class, one or two things from each child create a diverse collection of leaves, acorns, and tiny pine cones (these are returned to nature within a few days). With my family, each child collects a little more.
I have ideas to look for colors as we wander. Appreciate red in our world. Appreciate green :)
Appreciate now :)
I write the poem with them by asking for feelings, not stories. Their individual contributions create a lovely poem :). I usually write the closing sentiment to tie it all together.
- Take a walk
- Wander
- Slow down and share the moment (say how it feels)
- Collect treasures (gently, no living things)
- Create a display
- Draw or paint an image of a favorite treasure or scene
- Write a sentence about the walk or what was discovered
- Write poems (or a group poem)
- Put photos, drawing, and/or poems togegther for a fall book
P.S. If you would like to bring a fairy along on your walk, that would be lovely! Give your fairy a tour of our magical world :)
Enjoy autumn :)
Autumn in the Forest
Hurrah for changing leaves and crisp mornings. We love the bright colors of fall, the blazing oranges and reds. We also love the shadowy colors of fall, the dusky purples and deep burgundies.
We haven't been able to post that much because we are busy creating these days. We have a few craft fairs booked for December (more on that soon). And the book is selling well! (thank you!) But the fun needs to be shared.
So happy October!
We have new things in the Forest. The first is that we now offer custom greeting cards with our images. When you go here, you can choose an image and design it however you like. You can order one, or a box of ten or more. I am excited to try them. I will be adding more holiday images as we get closer to the season.
We have also been selling kits locally and in our Etsy shop. The response is an overwhelming, "Thank You!" And as I prep for our own holiday crafting around here, I appreciate the effort the kit will save a lot of families. The kits do not include directions (they are meant as a companion to our book). They have supplies to make at least four different projects. If you are crafty, most of the supplies are probably in your stash, but if you are traveling, or just starting to craft, these kits save a lot of time.
My current challenge is choosing colors! I want to keep our inventory simple (pastels, woodland, seasonal) but they we go to the store and find turquoise and magenta. And what about angels? And winter?
Oh, the ideas are endless. The last special one for this month is the Spooky Crafty Kit with purples and black. Perfect for zombies and witches. I only have one left in our Etsy Shop.
I am adding petals to the kits, too, because the petal fairies are so much fun!
Speaking of petal fairies, I have too much fun making my own fairies :)
They're even harder to offer for sale. I fall in love with each and every one of them. Especially her...
She has this little smirk that makes me happy. Every single time I see her :)
I don't really want to send her off to a new home, but she is available here.
I wanted to make a pink and black fairy. And she kept adding details. She wanted sparkles. Gold thread in her hair. A wide-brim hat. And she has this sweet and sly look about her that reminds me why I craft. We can make magic :)
Speaking of magic, my girl has inspired me to create a little for her and her friends. This year, the big new thing at school is animal tails. And this is before the Fox song :). They wear tails to school almost every day. They asked me for cat tails. And Ian asked for an orange cat tail. Their friends want more, so I made a few extras.
And the more realistic, faux fur cat-tail...
I am getting the cat-tail posted (hopefully soon). The orange tail in is our shop :)
And we have exciting plans for the holidays. It's a secret for now, but I am working with one of my favorite magical artists... Lucky me :)
Time to enjoy this fantastic autumn! I am sending great fun and spooky-sparkles your way :)
