Things You'll Need:
- Paper plates
- Assorted variety of fall leaves
- Acorns
- Hard berries, i.e. crabapple tree
- Flower heads, preferably chrysanthem or hardy flowers
- Hot glue gun
- Imagination
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Step 1
Begin by having your children go outside and gather an assortment of blemish-free fall leaves, acorns, hard berries and hard flower heads. Chrysanthemums are a good choice of flower, as they have a sturdy compact head that holds up when glued to a project. They also dry well, and continue to look lovely on the collage after some time has passed.
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Step 2
After your rosy cheeked children get back in the house after having gathered an assortment of natural fall treasures, help them sort through the findings that will look the best on the collage. You will need to discard leaves that are mottled and torn, acorns without tops, berries that are blemished, and flowers that aren’t sturdy enough to be used in a project. This is a learning experience for your children, so allow them to have fun finding these natural treasures on their own, and help them to discern which findings will make for the most attractive project.
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Step 3
Plug in your glue gun and allow the glue stick to soften somewhat. This usually takes about five minutes. In that time, take your paper plates and start arranging the fall leaves, flowers, acorns and berries in different patterns to see which you like best. Do not glue anything until you have placed everything exactly where you want it. You will put your sturdiest materials (fall leaves) on the outer corner of the paper plate, and the more delicate or heavier materials toward the center of the plate.
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Step 4
Start gluing the fall leaves in a circular pattern all the way around the plate. Try to keep the colors symmetrical. For instance, if you have two very large leaves of the same color, try gluing one on the top of the plate and one on the bottom of the plate. This is much more visually appealing, and gives the project symmetry.
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Step 5
Continue gluing all of the autumn leaves on the outside of the plate, and begin gluing flowers on the inside of the plate. Place the berries strategically between the flowers, so that they drape down over a particular flower. Fill bare spots with acorns or use the acorns in a grouping for a more powerful statement. No matter what you do with this project, it will turn out beautifully and you will admire the cornucopia of autumn colors and natural beauty. This project can become a cherished family tradition year after year. It’s creative, beautiful and loads of fun.
