10 fun things to do with leaves

There are so many fun things you can do with found leaves. Here are ten things!

 

1) Draw them! Leaves offer diverse visual inspiration

 2) Dry them Pop them in a thick book as a bookmark

 

3) Draw around them! Refine those fine motor skills and trace around some leaves.

4) Find different varieties (Go exploring!)

 

5) Make a crown out of leaves, possibly stapled or glued to a strip of paper or felt.

 

6) Make pictures with them! 

7) Make seasonal art

8) Print with them

9) make a leaf garland, practice threading and make lovely decorations! 

10) Do a rubbing impression with crayon or pencil 

(Lay paper over leaf, shade lightly to expose the bumps and ridges of the leaf)

milestones + art & craft = bff's

Just a few reasons why art and craft play are important for childhood development.

Feel free to print the chart off and pop it on your fridge!

I love you this much!

 

For Mother's Day this year I wanted to come up with a Crafternoon gift that suited L (five) and his current focus times and interests. I had a few requirements. I needed something that worked in duplicate (one crafted gift for mum and one for gran), and I needed something that had reasonably fast and varied stages, to hold L's attention. I also wanted to make sure that it conveyed something relevant to him. L displays more interest and focus when he is aware of the plan for the afternoon, and the sequencing of the craft, so this time I thought I'd show him a rough visual while talking the task through.

 

Supplies Needed: 

Small gift box 

(We used a CD sized box from the local craft store.) 

Coloured Felt 

(one sheet should do for smaller hands.)

Ribbon

around 2 metres

Scissors, craft glue and a marker.

Supplies to decorate the box (paper, stickers, paints, glitter glue, etc.) 

A little slip of paper or gift tag to write a note on.

Method

Trace around juniors hands. 

Cut out hands, or have junior do so, if they are able to use sharp scissors. 

Measure child with ribbon. Try arm span and height, and work out together which one is bigger. 

Cut ribbon to this length. Apply glue to each end, and adhere a hand on each. 

Decorate box and create a gift tag that says 'I love you this much'. 

 

Want to collaborate?

Collaboration. 
(I can help you with your Junior Crafternoon!) 
Got an idea for a junior craft or play printable but not able to get it done? I might be able to help!
Share with me your idea, and if it is possible, I'll create a kit, template, downloadable pdf, anything that will help you with your own Junior Crafternoon experience. If you want rights to these items, we can discuss a donation for my time.

Media, Marketing, PR, book publishers, supply and kit review opportunities. 
This little blog is still only small. However, like the small people who inspire us, we are on a path of learning and development too. Gifts of crafting material, resources and kits are most welcome.
All reviews given will be an honest response to the supplies quality.

For collaboration or marketing communications, please email shimmerandglow AT hotmail DOT com 

About Junior Crafternoon

Crafternoon is a term coined to describe a particular time to get together and partake in the joys of arts and crafts. The best kind of crafternoon is had with sweet treats!





It’s no secret that I love arts and crafts.

I believe that creative play and discovery has the power to educate, comfort and shape our minds, no matter our age. As this is so, I have decided to document my adventures in junior crafternooning, as well as the efforts of others. If I get really organised, I might even manage templates and downloads, if you are lucky! Hopefully I can provide you with references and ideas for your very own junior crafternoon!




I love to see children embracing art the way only they can, with an innocence that is needed with which to have self belief. I aim on encouraging that belief!


Want to contribute? Contact me and we can chat!



My other arts and crafts and things: www.shimmerandglow.com.au