DIY: Autumn Leaves

Now that the leaves are beginning to change color and fall, we have some background knowledge to build on.  So a we recently jumped into making some autumn leaves for our playroom.  I just googled some leaf templates and traced four different patterns onto file folders for stability.  Once these were cut out I just had to rig some sponges.  I cut a kitchen sponge up into smaller pieces and used clothespins to grip the pieces.  This had the effect of making smaller sponge prints (great for our smaller leaves) and easy-grip handles for greater control and fine motor practice.  I held the leaves to the splat mat with a small piece of painter's tape  and then just peeled them up once dry.  Caden really liked the idea of filling up each leaf completely with color.  Addison was a little more minimalist in her approach, she'd dab a few sponge prints on and then called it finished.

Originally the thought was to stick them to our walls (also with painter's tape) like they were falling from the sky.  But the tape didn't hold well enough.   Then I thought about gluing them to a background in the shape of a wreath and displaying that way.  Or, OR!  I could string them from the ceiling like they were floating through the playroom!  Which meant both sides needed color.  The kids were over the activity, but I wasn't.  So I painted away.  And once dry I was ready to string.  Then I thought about what would happen if the thumbtack fell from the ceiling.  And revised my plan.  I just handed them to the kids : )  And honestly they ended up having the most fun just pretending they were real.  You know, piling them up and jumping in them or sprinkling them on each other's head.  After that got old, I decided to string them over the kitchen table for some added fun.  Our first mobile!