Paper Plate Autumn Leaves Craft for Kids
My kids are convinced the trees change color overnight, like someone flips a switch, and this paper plate autumn leaves craft is my attempt to bottle that magic. You'll paint three different leaves, a Beech, an Oak, and an Aspen, each one its own color family with its own cheerful little face looking back at you.
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Materials for This Paper Plate Autumn Leaves Craft
A quick supply run through the craft bin is all it takes to get started.
Print-ready templates and step-by-step instructions.
Less prep, more crafting.
How to Make a Paper Plate Autumn Leaves Craft
Time to start building, here's how it all comes together.
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
Gather your supplies and clear a workspace, this is a good one to do over a wipeable table or some newspaper.
Step 2: Paint the Base Colors
Paint the outside of three plates in your three light base colors: light orange, light yellow, and light green. Let them dry.
Step 3: Add Paint Dots
For the textured effect, squeeze dots of a medium and dark shade onto the inside of an extra plate.
Step 4: Press and Peel
Press one of your dry colored plates face down on top, rub firmly all over, then peel the plates apart.
Step 5: Repeat for Each Color
Look at that texture! Repeat this for each color family so every plate gets its own pattern, then let them dry.
Step 6: Line Up Your Plates
Once the textured plates are dry, line them up. Green becomes the Beech leaf, orange becomes the Oak leaf, and yellow becomes the Aspen leaf.
Step 7: Trace the Leaves
Print the leaf patterns and trace the Beech leaf onto the green plate, the Oak leaf onto the orange plate, and the Aspen leaf onto the yellow plate.
Step 8: Cut Out Each Leaf
Cut out each leaf along the traced lines.
Step 9: Add the Eyes
Glue two wiggle eyes onto each leaf.
Step 10: Stamp On Cheeks
Dab pink paint onto the sponge and stamp cheeks just below each pair of eyes, then let dry.
Step 11: Draw the Smiles
Finish each leaf with a black marker smile stretching cheek to cheek.
All done!
Then hang your Fall leaves up on display!
We'd love to see yours! Snap a photo and share it in the comments.
Grab the Paper Plate Autumn Leaves Craftivity
Three leaf shapes means three chances to freehand something lopsided, so the Paper Plate Autumn Leaves Craftivity comes with all three patterns pre-traced along with a mini ebook walking through each one so you're not guessing what goes where.
More Fall Crafts Your Kids Will Love
Three leaves down, plenty more fall crafts to go, here's what else is keeping the momentum alive this season.
See all Fall Activities for Kids →
Please Share This Paper Plate Autumn Leaves Craft
If your kids ended up with a favorite of the three leaves, share this one with a friend or save it for next fall.
