How to Make Autumn Leaf Placemats

There are few autumn crafts you can do with your children to help them celebrate the arrival of fall. The one I am going to share with you happens to be one that I did as a young girl and I enjoyed it every year. So much so, that even as an adult I have been known to do this still!

These can be used as placemats, or window decorations and are fun and easy!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Collect leaves of all colors, shapes and sizes
• Wax paper
• Hot Iron
• Crayon shavings

1. 

   Go for a walk and collect your leaves all sizes, shapes, colors.

2. 

   Cut two evenly sized pieces of wax paper. Have your child arrange the colorful leafs on one piece of the wax paper making sure that you leave about 1/2" border along each side.

3. 

   Next, have your child (or, if they are too young you can do) take old crayons and "shave off pieces in different colors using a small knife or an old cheese grater. Sprinkle these over the leaves and wax paper.

4. 

   Last, put the other piece of wax paper on top of the first that has been decorated with leaves and crayon colors. Carefully transport this to your ironing board and using a slightly hot iron, gently press the two pices of wax paper until they melt together and the crayon shavings melt in between.

Tips & Warnings

• Make each placemat unique by placing their photo in the center
• Trim the placemats to the shape you wish
• Line the edge with trim-lace/ribbons, etc.
• Perhaps typing up a nice poem and setting it in the center would make a nice poster!
• This would make a great Thanksgiving Card
• Do not let a child do this unsupervised-An iron is an Adult tool!
• This is addictive...have fun!

Resources

• Author's website

[PajamaMommy]

on 9/16/2008 I love this! My little one has been collecting leaves on our evening walks and I was just wondering what we can do with them. Perfect timing!

[ptb49er]

on 9/15/2008 Creative and fun project. Five stars!

[LilacGirl]

on 9/15/2008 I can remember doing this too, but had forgotten until your article reminded me. This is a terrific craft project to do with young kids. Good article.

[amylaine]

on 9/15/2008 Sounds like something fun to do with the kids.

[SeventhSibling]

on 9/15/2008 I recall doing this craft project as a kid. What fun!