I love autumn, when the leaves start to fall and everywhere is full of colour. We went out this morning and collected as many leaves, sticks and pinecones as we could find. The kids all love collecting things as they walk so it really helps us stay out longer and then when we get home there are all either used for small world play or in crafts!
Here are just a few of activities we’ve used our forest treasures to make.
Leaf People Pegs
It’s probably fairly obvious how we created these leaf people pegs. I’m so pleased with how they came out. They did dry out quite quickly though, so definitely one to play with immediately.
Painting on Pinecones
It’s always nice to paint on something other than paper. Pinecones are especially fun to paint on as there are lots of nooks and crannies to get the paint into.
Pinecone painting is one of our favourite autumn activities.
Mini Stick Dens
Mini outdoor dens are also great fun to make. We added little characters and sometimes leaves or bits of cloth over the top.
Magic Wands
Forest crafts don’t come much easier than this simple magic wand
Wild Potions
Wild potions are easy to make using flowers or other things collected from the garden or forest.
Try adding some baking soda and vinegar for some fizzy fun.
Count and Sort Sticks and Leaves
Sticks and leaves have lots of features that make them fun to sort and count.
Make a Stickman
Stickman us one of our favourite books, so when we’re out and about we’re always looking for stickman shaped sticks. If you can’t find the perfect stick though you can use elastic bands to make your own.
We did manage to find the perfect Stickman stick one day and he’s been a happy member of the household ever since!
Weaving
Weather Forecasting with Pinecones
Did you know you can use pinecones to predict the weather?
Drawing Leaf People
These were so much fun to draw and great for observing over time as we watched them start to crumple up as they dried out.
More activity ideas using sticks and leaves
This cardboard heart nature hunt is just lovely from Leaning and Exploring Through Play.
We also love this fall mobile from Red Ted Art and a much better Stick Man than ours.
Red Ted Art also has a beautiful Leaf Crown.
This 3D autumn art from Sun Hats and Wellie Boots is pretty amazing too.
What are your favourite Autumn and Fall craft ideas?
Ooh Emma, what a nice set of stick activities. And your stick man is COOL! Love it all.
Thanks for the mention!
Maggy
(A
(And Thank you for sharing on Kids Get Crafty!!)
Maggy
The weaving idea is a great idea. And you can use up LOTS of sticks that way. Perfect. We need to go on a nice walk now me thinks..
It looks good doesn’t it?
What fun! We have a great time with sticks at my house too.
🙂 we love them
am impressed!
Thanks Jane
Very inventive!
Thank you. xxx
Very good ideas here! My girls are always picking up random sticks!
oh yes, mine too 🙂
What brilliant ideas. I have a plan what to do with my leaves but think a bit of colour sorting first is a great idea.
Thanks for sharing.
Visiting via RedTedArt
oooh what is your plan?
Thanks for linking this to Tuesday Tots. Incredible pics as usual and great ideas! I’ll be featuring this post this week so you’re welcome to a featured button if you’d like. Look forward to seeing what you link up next week 🙂 Debs
Thank you. xx
Oh I like the new header!
So many great ideas! I love learning through nature. Thank you for sharing with The Sunday Showcase.
What a lovely round-up.
I remember predicting the weather with pine cones as a kid, and watching for flowers closing up – I must teach DD. x
Thanks so much for linking to http://simpleparenting.co.uk/apple-printing-naturally-crafty-15/
Just love these idea how fabulous!