When the leaves start to change color, autumn is here. Fall is a beautiful time of year and a great excuse to talk to children about colors, seasons, and nature. Here is a great DIY project that covers all of these topics. Let’s get started!
Things you’ll need
- Leaf template (optional)
- Coffee filters
- Washable markers
- Ice cube tray
- Pen
- Scissors
- Thread
- Tape
- Pin
- Branch
- Cardboard surface to let dry
Steps
Using a pen, trace your leaf template – or some real leaves – onto your coffee filters. Tip: trace one half of the leaf, fold it in half, and cut out the leaf to save some steps and ensure your leaves are symmetrical. Make as many leaves as you like!
Next, draw thick, colorful circles on your coffee filter leaves with washable markers. Be sure the centers of the circles remain white.
Now it’s time to dye your leaves! For this step, fill an ice cube tray about a quarter full with water. Fold your leaves into cone shapes with the white tip at the end.
Dip your leaves in the water and let them soak for a few minutes, until the filters absorb the water. Watch the colors travel through to the leaf edges.
Let your beautiful autumn leaves dry on a piece of cardboard. To speed up the drying process you can use a hairdryer.
When your leaves are dry, you can add extra texture by folding them down the middle and making folds down the leaf angled downwards.
Prepare your branch by tying thread to hang it and attaching lengths of thread to suspend your leaves.
Attach your leaves by piercing a hole in them with a pin and threading them through the string. Add some tape for extra security.
Now you’re ready to hang up your mobile and watch your beautiful autumn leaves twirl! Happy fall, y’all!
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Contributor
This post accompanies a video from Caitie’s Classroom. Join Caitie in the classroom for kids songs, games, activities, stories, crafts, and much more! Catch up on past episodes and segments, follow Caitie on Facebook and Instagram, and subscribe to Super Simple Play so you never miss an episode. Don’t forget to ring the bell for notifications!
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