Turn a leaf rubbings craft into a colorful wreath that will last all season long! This easy fall project comes from Joanna of The Blue Barn.
Updated August 2024
I’m sure this activity is not new to many of you. But I wanted to take you through a simple invitation I left out for my children after school one day. This activity grew and evolved into so many different projects that are great for all ages – all from a simple leaf.
To start with, here’s a highlight of the materials we used to create our finished wreaths. However, to begin with a simple leaf rubbing, you will only need a few items from this supply list.
How to Make a Leaf Rubbings Craft Wreath
MATERIALS
- Plain white paper
- Oil Pastels or crayons
- Tray
- Liquid watercolor paint
- Acrylic paint
- Cardboard hoop
- Glue
- Scissors
INSTRUCTIONS
- Prep supplies
I began by setting this project up on a sunny fall day – you know the perfect day where you need a sweater, but the sun is warm and the breeze smells good.
On a tray I place a few sheets of the white paper, oil pastels in fall colors and a few leaves to get them going.
- Create leaf rubbing
It helps to show kids how to take a rubbing from the back side of a leaf. Once they know how, they usually take off making print after print!
To make a good leaf rubbing, place a leaf bumpy side up under a sheet of paper.
Then, taking an oil pastel, rub the side of the oil pastel over the paper where the leaf is hidden. Note: It works best to remove the paper from the outside of the pastel first.
- Paint leaf rubbings
Next, mix up a wash of black watercolor paint. You could choose a more fall like color (yellow, red, orange) but I like the colors to pop through for the kids, so I use black.
Paint the sheets of leaves and watch as the paint runs off the oil pastels with the colors showing through. - Make your wreath
You can’t let all the pretty paper leaves go to waste, so while the leaves are drying, paint your cardboard hoops with acrylic paint.
Then, once the leaves are dry, carefully cut them all out, tracing around the outside of each of the leaf prints.
Finally, have your kids glue the leaves to their painted rings, creating a lovely fall wreath!
Thank you for joining me, I hope you will go and enjoy some simple leaf art with your children. Let us know where it leads you!
More Fall Craft Ideas for Kids
- 11 Creative Fall Craft Ideas for Kids
- How to Preserve Fall Leaves and Create Mandala Leaf Art
- 30 Creative September Activities for Kids (A Month of Fun Ideas!)
- How to Make Zentangle Leaves with Sharpies
- Painted Fall Paper Leaves for Kids
- How to Make Simple Glitter Leaves
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