Chipper Recycle Craft: DIY Fall Leaf Animals
DIY Leaf Animals
All it takes is a little embroidery floss or a marker to turn fresh fall leaves into a fun project for you and the little one(s)!
It’s time to head outside and hunt for interesting leaves! Here are two great ideas for using fresh leaves as a canvas for embroidery or press them and draw fun animal friends!
Get creative and let your child make their favorite animals from fall leaves! Gather together outside and try some of these other Fun Fall Activities.
Drawing on Leaves
Leaves are great for drawing animals with ears, like foxes, cats, and owls. Chipper recommends using leaves from tulip and maple trees or from a common grapevine.
What You Need
• Leaves, pressed in a heavy, thick book for a couple of days
• Markers, black and white
Take a look at the shape and color of your leaf—there is definitely an animal in there! You can even frame the finished project. This little owl is framed in a painted cheese plate. Plastic tops make great frames for lots of projects so don’t throw them away.
Stitching On The Leaves
Have you ever tried to embroider a fresh leaf? It’s easy and fun! Find some fresh, tough leaves and get your needle and floss ready!
What You Need
• Fresh leaves work better than dry ones: I used leaves from a grapevine and walnut tree
• Blunt needle
• Scissors
• Embroidery floss
Take your leaf, thread your needle, and start sewing!
You might want to press the finished leaf in a book.
Eagle Owl Sewing Card
For little hands, make a sewing card for the eagle owl on a tulip tree leaf.
What You Need
• Printable eagle owl sewing card template (download here)
• A4 printer paper 90-120g
• Blunt needle
• Scissors
• Embroidery floss
Step 1
Download the printable sewing card template and print it.
Step 2
Take the blunt needle and carefully punch holes at the ends of the white lines.
Step 3
Cut out the template cards along the dotted line.
Step 4
Thread your needle and start sewing!
That’s all there is to it! Now you’re set with a couple of fun fall activities that will keep you and the little ones busy on a crisp, rainy afternoon!