Easy DIY Fall Decorations & Crafts
Ready to get into the autumn spirit but can’t afford a shopping spree on Etsy? Have no fear. Beautiful autumn decor is within reach with supplies from your own backyard. Send the kids out to gather dozens of freshly fallen autumn leaves while you pull out the craft supplies. In a couple of days, your leaves will be prepped to retain their color and shape, and you will be amazed with all the ways you can use them to transform your home for fall.
Pressed Leaf Prep
Do this step first!
- Choose your project or projects below, and gather more leaves, fall leaves at their peak than you think you need.
- Allow one to two days before you begin any crafts.
- Snip stems and spread leaves in thin layers between sheets of plain white paper.
- Then add another layer of leaves on top of the paper and keep building your pile up until you have sandwiched all the leaves between sheets of paper.
- Cover your stack with several heavy books to press them as flat as possible.
- Let your stack sit for 24 to 48 hours to flatten before coloring fades.
- Do not press longer than two days.
Then your leaves are ready for crafting!
Leaf Lanterns
Bask in the autumnal glow of leaf-light!
You need:
- Mason jars (or any old jars) with lids (if Mason jars)
- A variety of pressed fall leaves
- Mod Podge Glossy
- Foam paint brushes
- Battery-operated tea lights and glitter (optional)
Cover one side of a clean, dry jar with Mod Podge and apply one leaf at a time, overlaying each leaf slightly, coating each with a thin layer of glue as you go. Once the sides of the jar are covered, sprinkle sides lightly with glitter in a complimentary color like gold or copper. Let lanterns dry upside down for an hour. For Mason jars, attach jar rim without can seal and insert tea light. These look great on a mantel or hutch. Kids may like to have them in their bedrooms.
Leaf Crowns
Everyone deserves to wear this crown!
You need:
- Brown paper grocery bags
- A variety of pressed fall leaves
- Mod Podge Glossy
- Foam paint brushes
- Parchment paper
- Wide double-sided tape
- Scotch tape
- Tacky Glue
Step one:
Coat one side of each pressed leaf in Mod Podge. Let dry on parchment paper for a half hour. Then coat the other side and let dry for another half hour.
Step two:
Open grocery bags and cut into 3-4-inch x 28-inch strips. Fit each paper strip to the wearer’s head, so it sits just above the ears, but don’t close the loop yet. Apply double-sided tape to the center of the strip, leaving a bit of brown paper edge on the top and bottom. Lay flat and apply coated leaves pointing up, down, sideways or a combination of directions. If you need more sticking power, add a dab of Tacky Glue. When your crown is decorated, use more double-sided tape to secure the crown base end-to-end. If extra securing is needed, use a piece of Scotch tape on the inside of the crown.
Leaf Placemats
Your plates will look stunning haloed with real leaves!
You need:
- Painter’s tape
- Parchment paper
- Variety of pressed fall leaves
- Mod Podge Outdoor
- Foam paint brushes
Cut parchment paper larger than the size of mats you wish to make. You can make mats round to peek out underneath plates or square or rectangle – it’s up to you. Secure parchment paper onto a large table where the project can sit undisturbed for several hours. Use a thin permanent marker to sketch out the shape you desire. Coat just beyond that shape with a thick layer of Mod Podge. Start laying leaves facedown in a burst pattern, starting on the inside of your shape and working layers out, coating the other side completely in Mod Podge as you go. Try similar shapes of leaves in different colors or alternate rings of different varieties. When you are satisfied with your design, cover the mat with another piece of parchment and lay a large, heavy book on top for two hours. Peel off the top parchment and let the top of the mat dry for an hour before flipping over and removing the other piece of parchment. Allow adequate drying time, then store mats in fresh parchment until use.
No-carve Leaf Pumpkins
A lot less mess than carving pumpkins!
You need:
- Spray adhesive
- Mod Podge Outdoor
- Foam paint brushes
- A variety of pressed fall leaves
- Pumpkins (real or artificial)
Divide your leaves by type and size and create a pattern on the table that you like. You can create a ring around your pumpkin or spread the leaves out all over. Play around and have fun creating different looks. Once you are ready, spray mount adhesive on the back of leaves and smooth them onto a clean, dry pumpkin. Finish your look and then coat entire pumpkin with a thin coat of Mod Podge, allowing 30 minutes to dry. Repeat with another coat. Real pumpkins should last the season outdoors. Artificial pumpkins may last for several seasons indoors.
Leaf Monogram Letter
Make your front door the envy of the neighborhood!
You need:
- Large cardboard shipping box
- Mod Podge Outdoor
- Foam paint brushes
- A variety of pressed fall leaves
- Masking tape
- Ribbon
Flatten your box, and then outline and cut out a large cardboard letter that represents your family’s last name. Hold it up against your door to gauge accurate size. Trim to fit. Seal the open edges of your letter with pieces of masking tape to protect from moisture. Coat all sides of the letter in Mod Podge and allow to dry 30 minutes on each side. Lay your letter faceup and arrange with leaves until you have a design you admire. Coat the front and sides of the letter with Mod Podge, press on leaves and add another coat to the front of leaves. Dry 30 minutes. Add one more coat of Mod Podge and dry again. Embellish top of letter with ribbon, if desired. Use mounting squares to hang finished monogram on the front door.
Leaf Garland
Decorate a mantel, doorway or hutch with a colorful strand of peak fall leaves!
You’ll need:
- Paper straws
- Jute twine
- Mod Podge (Matte, Satin or Gloss)
- A variety of pressed fall leaves
- Scotch tape
Step one:
Measure the space you want your garland to cover. Then mark that length on a clean floor and spread out your flattened leaves plus quite a few extras in a pattern you admire.
Step two:
Coat one side of each pressed leaf in Mod Podge in matte or gloss depending on which type of finish you prefer. Let dry on parchment paper for 30 minutes. Then coat the other side and let dry for another 30 minutes.
Step three:
Cut straws into three-quarter-inch pieces, tape onto the back of downward-pointing leaf, near the stem, and then lay them on a clean floor, leaf-side down until you have the arrangement you want. Allow for a couple extra feet of twine on each end. String your twine through each straw and tie each end where you would like your garland to hang. Move leaves along the twine until you have the arrangement you like. You can Scotch tape the leaves in the back to each other if necessary, once the garland is hung.
Storage Tip: When storing until next year, wrap your leaf crafts in layers of parchment paper and then loose tissue. If you protect crafts from being crushed, chances are good they will last for several years.
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Fun Fall Activities to Connect With Nature
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