Here’s a quick and easy Halloween craft. We picked up some nice leaves at the park the other day and realized they looked a lot like bats. I think these are from a large maple tree.
It’s best to get a leaf that isn’t too dried out or it will crack. I cut off the stem and the girls painted them with watercolor paints on the textured side. The leaf resists a bit, but if you keep applying the paint it will adhere. Then we just turned them over and printed on paper. I traced around the outside with a black pencil to give it some definition and my three-year-old drew the bat head. She has just started making representational drawings and is so proud of herself.
This is cute. I wonder if you could also do a “brass rubbing” technique over the leaf, too, to get the same effect. (Although the outside edges might not be so crisp and defined.)
The leaf print is gorgeous! It would look beautiful framed on it own. I love all the little strokes and spots that ended up beyond the leaf edge. Great craft idea as well.
That is so cute! I tried doing a print today with acrylic paint but it didn’t turn out that good!
I love simple ideas like this! We once took leaves like this, glued them to colored paper, and then drew on a head and limbs, using the leaf as the body. They’re quirky, but cute!
congrats on the upcoming publication of your patterns and on the new column gig–way to go, ellen!!!
Thats VERY cool! Now… I just need someone to ship me a cool fall leaf! lol
so very cool… and simple too! will definately try this one with the kiddos!
Excellent – love it!
that is so awsome and very creative ,i just keep doing them.
My 5 year old thinks this is neat!