Fallen leaves can be used to create all sorts of leaf art. In this article we share some creative inspiration to get you started.
- Creating leaf art involves fine motor skills and dexterity
- There are no rights and wrong. Enjoy creating whatever comes to mind
- Using leaves to create art is a very eco friendly craft, using nature's bounty to make something else of beauty
A tree picture made out of leaves and twigs
The leaves may have fallen off the tree, but you can create a whole new tree artwork using them!
Collect your twigs and leaves. Let them dry inside for a day before making your artwork.
You may find it easiest to first draw the outline of a tree on your paper using a pencil. Glue your twigs in place to create the trunk. You may need quite a bit of glue for this. Then, carefully glue your leaves in place to create the top leafy part of the tree.
Leave it to dry, then it is ready to display.
Prefer to follow a video guide?
Watch our step-by-step video for this activity
Leaf kebabs on a table
Leaf kebabs are a wonderfully simple, all natural form of leaf art. You can do this activity outside.
Find sticks and a number of leaves. Thinner sticks will be easier to use than thicker ones. You might like to use fallen leaves in a variety of colours, or use different shaped leaves.
Push the leaves onto the stick, exactly as if you were making a food kebab. Keep going until you have several stacked on the stick.
To display your leaf kebabs, you could place them in pots. You could fill the pots with compost so you can push one end of the stick in and make it more steady.
After my hip operation the hospital gave me a reach grabber tool to help with dressing. I now use it in the garden to pick up leaves and weeds
Gardener with arthritis
A squirrel with leaves for a tail
An owl made of different leaves
You can use leaves to create a picture of your favourite animals. Simply collect some leaves, dry them and then see what you can create!
In the images above, you can see ideas for a cardboard squirrel with a bushy leaf tail, or a friendly owl. For more inspiration, try searching online for leaf art animals.
A giant sun artwork made from fallen leaves
A smiling face made using fallen leaves
Ephemeral means temporary or only lasting a short amount of time. This is a really enjoyable and very eco friendly way to create art.
To make your ephemeral leaf art, collect as many leaves as you'd like and create a giant picture outside. Directly on the ground is probably easiest to do.
This can be great as a group activity.
When you have finished with your leaf art, if your leaves are not covered in glue, there are lots of ways you can make use of them. For example, you can add them to your compost pile or use them to create leaf mould.
Related content
What to do with autumn leaves
Autumn leaves can be put to many good practical and creative uses. We explore what to do with them in this guide.
