The beautiful colors of autumn leaves provide a wonderful base for so many fall crafts for kids, including this easy, kid-made autumn leaf wreath. Unlike store-bought fall wreathes, this simple craft uses real leaves in all their imperfectly lovely glory.
Helping your child make a leaf wreath won't cost you a thing, but will provide you with fond memories and it is fun, handmade addition to your fall decor. Add it to a wall of thankful leaves and your child's mini pumpkin printing art and voilá, your child has done all the decorating for you.
Leaf Wreath Instructions
The very first step to creating the fall wreath of your dreams is to take a nature walk with your kids! Along the way you could also go birding (be sure to use our birding tips!) and your kids can fill out a page in their nature journal (learn how to start a nature journal with kids!).
However, the most important thing to do on this nature walk is to collect a basket of beautiful fall leaves. If possible, collect freshly fallen leaves that are still a bit soft. They will crisp up soon after applied to the wreath, but soft leaves won't crumble during the crafting process.
Wreath Materials
You'll need:
- A basket of fall leaves in as many colors and shapes as you can find. Use freshly collected leaves that are still somewhat soft.
- Scissors
- Large piece of card stock or other heavy weight paper like poster board. Alternatively, you could use a paper plate.
- Glue. White school glue works well.
- Ribbon or string
- Hole punch
How-to
First, cut a wreath shape from your card stock. The size and shape is up to your child. Perhaps they want to make a square wreath, or a triangle. Let them decide!
Next allow your child to take some time to decide how they want to arrange the leaves. Some kids may want to start gluing down foliage right away, others may take a while to determine the exact placement of the leaves on the wreath.
Squeeze out some glue onto the wreath shape. It can help if you spread the glue a bit with a plastic knife or wood craft stick, but that's not necessary.
Place the leaves on the glue and press gently. If your child wants to overlap leaves, they may need to squeeze out more glue as necessary.
TIP: if the leaves pop up off the glue-y surface, weigh them down with small glass jars, or drinking glasses. This is where it helps if the leaves are still soft, because the weight won't crack or crumble the leaves.
BONUS TIP: Don't forget to use any leftover leaves for this fall leaf watercolor process art project!
Allow the wreath to dry completely.
Use the hole punch to place a hole at the top of the wreath and thread the ribbon through the hole and tie off the end.
Hang the wreath! If you want to hang it outside, it will need to be in a well-sheltered location, but you can hang it inside as part of the fall decorations, too!
MORE FALL FUN: 65 Family Activities for Fall (with check list!)
Idea first published 2008, updated 2025.
Julie says
very cute!
Andrea Lepow says
With this Corona Virus my kids are freaking out! Thank you for being a life-saver!