Crafting with Fallen Leaves
Caroline shares some imaginative crafts for kids to do with this year's leaf fall.
October’s Party
by George Cooper
October gave a party; The leaves by hundreds came— The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples, And leaves of every name. The Sunshine spread a carpet, And everything was grand, Miss Weather led the dancing, Professor Wind the band. The Chestnuts came in yellow, The Oaks in crimson dressed; The lovely Misses Maple In scarlet looked their best; All balanced to their partners, And gaily fluttered by; The sight was like a rainbow New fallen from the sky. Then, in the rustic hollow, At hide-and-seek they played, The party closed at sundown, And everybody stayed. Professor Wind played louder; They flew along the ground; And then the party ended In jolly "hands around."
What better way to celebrate the changing season than with a family craft time?
Take a walk around the streets, parks, forests and gardens of Waltham Forest and you will see a carpet of leaves, in all colours of yellow, orange, red and brown, all recently fallen and ready to be collected and made into fantastic things.
Explore the colours, shapes and patterns of the leaves together. Cut them up to make confetti, add them to glass jars filled with water to make natural snow globes or thread string through them to make autumn bunting.
My favourite thing to do with fallen leaves is turn them into animals using pens to draw faces. I sometimes start by reading ‘Leaf Man’ with my little ones to inspire us to create our own people out of leaves. ‘October’s Party’ is also a wonderful starting point to inspire creative images with leaves and twigs.
Here are some animals to try yourself.
Remember, only use the fallen leaves. The ones still on the tree should stay where they are until they are ready to drop.
Now head outside, collect your leaves and get crafting!
Caroline Ede is an Early-Years Consultant with an abundance of experience working with young people. She is the owner of The Castle Stay & Play, and Cook Me A Story.