Are you looking for an inexpensive but beautiful craft to do with your kids this fall? I will show you how to make DIY fall leaf prints with kids.
This fall craft is easy, and they are really fun to create. Also, kids of all ages can make them. This leaf craft can be made with toddlers, preschool, kindergarten kids and older. Adults even enjoy participating in this artistic endeavor.
And art it is. They are beautiful to hang in the window or on the walls or refrigerator during the fall season. Framing the prints creates DIY fall art that you can hang as decoration in your home, classroom or office.
How to Make DIY Fall Leaf Prints with Kids
Using only acrylic paints, this is an easy autumn craft to do with everyone.
There are so many gorgeous fall colors and leaf shapes to represent in a graphic, fun presentation. I hope you are very inspired by this fall leaf craft, and I’d love for you to find more inspiration from these other 50 leaf craft ideas.
Materials Needed to Make Fall Leaf Prints
- acrylic craft paints
in fall colors - white paper – We used simple computer paper. A heavier weight paper would provide a more lasting design. I’m sure these would look gorgeous on canvas as well.
- foam paint brushes
- fall leaves – try a variety of shapes and sizes
in fall colors
. A 
would provide a more lasting design. I’m sure these would look gorgeous on 
as well.
How do you Make Fall Leaf Prints?
- Take a nature walk with your children if this is going to be a fall craft for the kids. If not, enjoy some time alone in nature as you gather leaves. If you are doing this with kids, take the time to observe autumn. Take in the sights and ask them what they see, smell and feel. Really gather in the beauty and uniqueness of fall, and help your kids see the creativity in God’s intricate design.
- Collect leaves in a variety of shapes and sizes.
- When you return home, set up shop. Cover your table. I like to have an inexpensive plastic tablecloth or plastic table clover roll on the ready at anytime. Another option is a more durable vinyl table covering.
- Prepare your kids. Protect their clothes with a child’s craft apron.
- Prepare the paints. Use a variety of fall colors. I add the colors in small amounts to a durable paper plate for easy clean-up. Some colors we used were orange, red, yellow, pink and green.
- Using a foam brush add a variety of paint colors to your leaf.
- Turn the leaf over on the paper and gently press down, making sure to press over the entire surface area off the leaf.
- Pull the leaf away slowly to reveal the gorgeous fall leaf print you have created. It’s as simple as that.
- Allow to dry before displaying.
or 
on the ready at anytime. Another option is a more 
.
.
for easy clean-up. Some colors we used were orange, red, yellow, pink and green. 
As mentioned, these gorgeous leaf prints can quickly help you decorate your home for the autumn season. Displaying a child’s artwork shows them how much you value their work and creativity. It’s an easy step to building into their self-confidence.
Visual Tutorial for Making Fall Leaf Prints
Video Tutorial for How to Make DIY Fall Leaf Prints with Kids
Want More Fun Leaf Crafts for Kids?
Salt Dough Leaf Garland – Fall Ornaments
Note: This post was originally written in 2013. It was updated in 2021 to make the user experience more enjoyable.
This looks like so much fun!! I want to try this with my son! i think we will do it this weekend!
I’d love it if you would link this up to my blog party. I think this would be a big hit with all of us parents! I know I am always looking for new ideas to try with my son!
http://www.battlingthehomefront.com/2012/10/in-kitchen-thursdays-week-4.html
Cute craft for the kidos! Will put it on my to do list! The leaves are beautiful!
I am in a child development class and my school has a pre school that the class helps in. I think the children would enjoy this craft. so thank you for sharing this.
I’m so glad it will be helpful. Please let me know how it goes!
Love this! Featuring on my KBN roundup of Favorite Fall Activities and Crafts for kids at: http://www.happyandblessedhome.com/fall-activities-and-fall-crafts-for-kids/ Thanks for sharing! Pinned
Thanks for letting me know. I am so glad you liked this activity. It’s super fun. Thanks for featuring me.
Wow these are Soo beautiful!
Love the use of the pink!
Is there a certain type of paint you used? Would tempura paint work well? I’m teaching a pre-k class and I’d like to do this on small canvases. Just wondering what type of paint I should use?
I just use a acrylic craft paint. I find tempura to be a bit less saturated and duller in look. I would try it out, but I would recommend an acrylic paint. They’re not too expensive. Have fun!
I love leaf prints. I find them very soothing. I hope my kids will love them just the same.
I agree. They are relaxing to create. I’m sure your kids will love it!
Can you add me to your mailing list for toddler activities?
thank you –
Hello, I cannot add people to my list. You would need to be the one to subscribe to my newsletter. You can do so in the right sidebar of my blog page – just add your email under the colorful “subscribe” word. I always want to make sure that people add themselves because I never want to be spam or send emails without permission. I don’t have a specific toddler category although I do have many resources for toddlers. I’ll give some specifics, but I really encourage you to explore my tabs. You can hover over the kids tab to find activities, a character development series, & crafts. The parenting tab will give different ideas for parenting a toddler. The holidays tab will give food, crafts and activities associated with the different holidays throughout the year. Many of these will be appropriate for toddlers. Let me provide a few links to wet your pallet a bit: https://meaningfulmama.com/day-235-10-bean-bag-games-to-play-with.html & https://meaningfulmama.com/7-quick-tips-expand-picky-eaters-palate.html & https://meaningfulmama.com/day-321-fall-salt-dough-ornaments.html & https://meaningfulmama.com/day-1-tip-of-day-happy-heart.html – When you click on my tabs, you will find photos of all activities, recipes, crafts, etc. I have wanted to make it visually easy to assess whether the content seems appropriate for your children and their their development level. I hope that helps to get you started. There is also a search bar on the far right of the aqua bar toward the top of the page. This can help you find specifics. 🙂 All the best. Let me know if I can be of more help. Sometimes ideas from readers inspires new posts.
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