One of the simplest and most magical autumn crafts is leaf printing. Children love the surprise of lifting a leaf and seeing its detailed shape and veins appear on the paper. It’s a hands-on way to explore nature and create colorful artwork. As far as fall crafts go, this one is quick to set up, low-cost, and always rewarding.
In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to do leaf printing with your child. It’s easy to adapt for toddlers, preschoolers, and older children, making it one of the most versatile autumn projects for kids.
Why Leaf Printing is a Favourite Autumn Craft
Leaves are nature’s own printing blocks. I find them so fascinating! Each one has unique textures and vein patterns that look stunningly beautiful when transferred onto paper. That’s why autumn leaves art for kids never gets old; no two prints are ever the same!
It’s also a flexible activity. Younger children enjoy the sensory fun of painting leaves and pressing them down. Older children can turn their prints into cards, collages, or even wrapping paper. As a form of art activities for kids, it’s open-ended and easy to personalise.
Materials You’ll Need For Your Leaf Printing
- A selection of autumn leaves (different shapes and sizes)
- Paints (acrylic for stronger colors, but I actually love watercolors for gentle, delicate artwork)
- Paintbrushes or small sponges (sponges are my preference for even, light color)
- Paper or card
- Old newspaper or a table cloth to protect your table
- Optional: glitter, crayons, or pens for decorating around the prints.
- (Tip: if you’re making specific objects or animals, sharpies are fantastic for providing definition.)
These simple supplies make this one of the best DIY crafts for kids, as it’s so easy to set up.
Step 1: Collect and Prepare Leaves
Head outdoors and collect leaves in a variety of shapes. Try maple, oak, beech, or sycamore, as their veins show up beautifully. Choose leaves that are freshly fallen rather than dry and crumbly.
This part of the process is itself a lovely autumn activity for kids in itself. Encourage them to notice the details of the season all around them.
Step 2: Set Up the Workspace
Cover the table with newspaper or an old table cloth. Place paints in small pots or on a palette, and have brushes or sponges ready. Toddlers and preschoolers are better off using sponges for dabbing paint onto leaves, which can be easier than brushes.
Step 3: Paint the Leaf
Place a leaf vein-side up. Using a brush or sponge, spread a thin, even layer of paint over it. Encourage your child to experiment with color. Perhaps one solid shade, or several graduated colors with some blending. You can get some stunning effects this way!
Step 4: Print the Leaf
Carefully place the painted leaf paint-side down on paper or card. Press gently with your fingers or the back of a clean brush.
Then peel it away slowly to reveal the print. Your child will love the moment of surprise as the detail appears.
Step 5: Repeat and Experiment
Try different leaves, colours, and arrangements. Children might create a line of prints to form a border, a circle to make a wreath shape, or scatter prints across the page like falling leaves. This flexibility is why it’s one of the best autumn kids crafts, in my opinion.
Creative Theme Ideas for Leaf Printing
If your child enjoys having a goal or theme, here are some fun ways to use leaf prints:
- Animals: Use leaf prints as the body of a hedgehog, fish, owl, or butterfly. Smaller leaves make perfect feathers, scales, or wings.
- Trees and Forests: Print leaves in different colours to build the canopy of a tree, or layer them to create a woodland scene.
- Seasonal Wreath: Arrange prints in a circle for a bright, autumn-inspired wreath design.
- Flower Garden: Print colourful leaves as petals and add painted stems or drawn details.
- Abstract Patterns: Experiment with repeating prints, rainbow colours, or patterned borders.
- Autumn Landscape: Use prints as bushes, tree tops, or mountains in the distance, then add crayon or paint for finishing touches.
- Cards or Gift Tags: A single bold leaf print on folded card or tag creates a simple seasonal gift idea.
These themes help children channel their creativity into something more purposeful, while still leaving plenty of room for freedom and experimentation.
You can also use up your painted leaves when you have finished printing, for example your child could make a beautiful tree autumn craft like the one below.
Variations for Different Ages
For autumn crafts with toddlers, keep it simple with one or two bold colors and large leaves.
For preschool art activities, encourage mixing colors on the same leaf, or layering prints to create new effects.
For older children, leaf printing can become a full project. Turning prints into greeting cards, wall art, or seasonal wrapping paper. These Autumn children’s crafts make thoughtful handmade gifts.
Learning Benefits
Leaf printing offers so many developmental benefits:
- Observation skills: Children notice leaf shapes, edges, and veins.
- Fine motor skills: Painting, pressing, and peeling require careful movements.
- Creativity: Children experiment with color, layout, and combinations.
- Connection with nature: It deepens appreciation for the beauty of Autumn.
It’s a brilliant example of how Autumn leaves DIY activities can combine fun with learning.
Display and Extension Ideas
Leaf prints can be cut out and glued into collages, turned into bookmarks, or displayed on the wall.
You could even use brown paper as a base and let your child decorate sheets to use as wrapping paper. These extension ideas keep the activity fresh and practical, turning this simple Autumn kids art into something useful.
My Final Thoughts About Autumn Leaf Printing
In my opinion, Autumn leaf printing is one of the most rewarding and realistic fall crafts you can do with children. It requires very little preparation, gives instant results, and allows for endless variations.
Whether your child is a toddler enjoying messy paint play, a preschooler experimenting with colors, or an older child turning their prints into gifts, this craft has something to offer everyone. Next time you’re out on a leaf-filled walk, bring a few favorites home. With a little paint and imagination, you can turn them into artwork that captures the rich beauty of Autumn.
Stephanie Simmons is an Anglo-American mum of two who is passionate about all things outdoors. She loves camping, outdoor crafting, and all outdoor activities.
Steph believes in getting the kids outdoors no matter the weather!
She created Wild Bloom Families to share her passion for the outdoors with other families.
Getting in nature can transform your physical health, mental health and happiness!
