Fun with Fallen Leaves

Autumn can be an exciting and busy time of year with school, work and sporting season all in high gear. Adding to this excitement is the changing of the seasons which creates lots of yard work. You spent all summer taking care of the lawn, garden, and walkways only for the green look to go wayside for the falling colorful leaves. The leaves pile up in a hurry and the rake is calling your name. Before you rake these leaves into bags or on to curbs, first consider the additional uses of them prior to their disposal.

Leftover leaves - Jump Zone

Okay it is quite obvious. The bigger the leaf pile grows so does the temptation to jump onto the hill. My children usually allow the pile to get only to knee level before they jump into the leaves. This activity is also enjoyed by dogs as well. Just make sure your leaf pile is clear of any other unwanted items left behind from your pet or any other animal. The leaf jump zone should also be over a soft ground surface only.

Leftover leaves - Bury

Another fun game with freshly raked leaves is to take turns burying someone in the large pile. It does not take long to bury someone in your growing pile of raked leaves. We usually play the game scaring each other as we immerse from the pile as an awoken zombie. It is a fun way to startle the dog or even the unsuspecting neighbor walking by.

Leftover leaves - Stain Glassed Leaf Art

This project goes back to my own childhood. Take your leaf army outdoors and gather at least four to five leaves of different colors. Then take the leaves and place them between two large rectangles of wax paper. Seal the wax paper shut by running a hot iron over the wax paper several times quickly as to avoid burning. The same effect will work if spray adhesive is used. Finish the project by punching a hole in the paper and stringing a large piece of yarn through the hole. Suspend the leaf design by a window and you will get a nice autumn leaf design as the sun's rays strike through the picture.

Leftover leaves - Leaf Rubbing

Create a leaf rubbing by gathering a few different species of leaves from outside. Search high and low and gather a maple leaf, elm, and any other local leaf species. Place the leaves under thin sheets of light colored paper and rub the side of a crayon against the paper. The rubbing effect will produce a cool leaf design displaying all the leaves veins and outline.

Leftover leaves - Leaf Painting

Leaf painting can be as fun as the leaf rubbing. Take several different types of leaves and apply paint to the surface. Pick the leaf up by the stem and press the leaf paint side down against a sheet of paper. Make sure the leaf is firmly pressed against the paper, and then carefully peel off the leaf. The artistry doesn't stop there. Grab a brush and add wildlife to your leaf picture for a complete fall project.

These are five fun ways to keep the autumn spirit alive prior to disposing of your leaf pile. These ideas will only work with dry leaves only as the wet ones will make the art projects and leaf play quite a mess.