The rule of autumn nannyhood is if you go for a walk, you will bring back half the forest. This week, I upgraded the kids from ‘leaf collectors’ to ‘interior designers.’ Check out this super simple, autumn leaf placemat craft that preserves their favorite outdoor finds and protects the kitchen table from the inevitable pumpkin spice spills.

Be sure to read children’s books about leaves when doing this project including: “Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf,” “We’re Going on a Leaf Hunt,” “Leaf Man,” “Fall Leaves Colorful and Crunchy,” “Autumn Leaves,” and “My Leaf Book.”

You Will Need:

Children’s Books About Leaves (see above)
Brown Paper Bag or Reusable Grocery Bag
Self-Adhesive Laminating Paper
Scissor or Paper Cutter

What to Do:

1. Read some of our favorite children’s books about leaves listed above with the children in your care.

2. Give the children in your care a bag and go on a leaf hunt. Let them pick up different colored autumn leaves and put them in their bag.

3. To make the placemats, take the film from the sticky side of self-adhesive laminating sheet and put the sheet down on a table with the sticky side up.

4. Have the child put colored leaves one at a time, in a single layer on the sticky side of the laminating sheet.

5. Once the sheet is covered with autumn leaves, remove the film from the sticky side of another self-adhesive laminating sheet. Put the sticky side down on the other sheet with the leaves on it.

6. Press the sheets together pushing out any air bubbles from the middle to the edges of the placemat.

7. Use a scissor or paper cutter to straighten the sides of the placemat making sure no sticky edges are exposed.

Photos by Stephanie Felzenberg

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