Fall Kid Crafts: Leaf Garland and Pumpkin Turkey

Leaf Garland and Pumpkin Turkey
Fall seems to bring out the craft masters in everyone, even children. This is one of the most magical times of the year leading up to one of the most favorite holidays, Christmas, and it is the time to let the craftiness shine. Using fake (or real) pumpkins, packages of loose colorful leaves, fall colored ribbons, fall colored clothes pins, twine, a marker, and tape, the indoors can be transformed into the colorful outdoors for children to enjoy all season long.

Leaf Garland

Materials:

• Fall Colored Twine or Ribbon
• Fall Colored Clothe pins (found at craft stores)
• Plastic or Metal Hooks or Large River Rocks (depending on where the garland is to be hanged)

Directions:

1. Determine where to hang the leaf garland, then cut the twine, leaving 6 to 8 inches extra on each end (a little less if using river rocks to hold on a mantle or shelf).
2. Tie the ends in a double knot on each hook and place leaves along the twine using the clothes pins.

Instead of leaves, a message on burlap triangles or squares or card stock can be made, or both can be used. This is a great idea for shelves around the house and in a child's room.

Pumpkin Turkey

This is a fun fall craft and can even be turned into a "turkey bank" (piggy bank). The best part, no glue or staples or anything sharp or sticky involved, except for clear scotch tape and child safe scissors. Even so, parents, this means, easy clean-up (SCORE!).

Materials:

• 1 Small or Medium plastic pumpkin for each child
• 1 Package of Fall Leaves (available at Michael's or other craft stores)
• 1 brown or black marker
• A roll of Scotch Tape, clear
• Scissors
• Some Fall Colored Ribbon (optional)

Directions:

1. Determine which end of the pumpkin sits best on a surface.
2. Hold the pumpkin upside down while the kids use tape to place the leaves on it in layers-tape along the bottom and sides of leaves (it really does not take too much tape).
3. Set pumpkin on a flat surface, draw eyes.
4. Tape fall colored ribbon around the middle of the pumpkin and display.

Both of these crafts are well under $10 a child, and the leaf garland is under $5 a child. They are kid friendly fall activities that kids can most definitely do and be proud of as well as enjoy. Happy Fall!