DLTK's Crafts for Kids
Leaf Elephants: A Nature-Inspired Craft for Kids
Create a fun and easy leaf elephant with this enjoyable and captivating craft! By using a printed coloring page as a template and an assortment of leaves you've collected outside, you and your little ones can produce a charming leaf elephant. Let's head outdoors, gather some leaves, and embark on this delightful crafting journey!
This same technique works for most animals that have a recognizable silhouette like:
Materials:
- Printed elephant coloring page (choose a simple design)
- A variety of leaves (various sizes and shapes)
- Waxed paper
- Glue
- Two heavy books or a flower press
- White or colored paper
- Scissors
Instructions:
- Begin your leaf elephant adventure by venturing outside with your children to gather a variety of leaves. Encourage them to explore different shapes, sizes, and colors to make their elephant even more special. Make sure the leaves are fresh and not too dry, so they'll be easy to work with.
- Print out a simple elephant coloring page to use as a template for your craft. You can search online for a suitable design, or even draw your own.
- Arrange the collected leaves on top of the template, covering the elephant shape. Experiment with layering and overlapping the leaves to create interesting textures and patterns. Encourage your children to be creative and have fun with it!
- Once you're satisfied with your leaf arrangement, carefully glue each leaf onto the paper, following the shape of the elephant template. Allow the glue to dry for a few minutes.
- Prepare your leaf elephant for pressing by cutting a piece of waxed paper large enough to cover it. Place the waxed paper over the elephant and gently press down.
- Place your leaf elephant (covered in waxed paper) between the pages of a heavy book or a flower press. Leave it for a few days to allow the leaves to dry and flatten.
- Once your leaf elephant is dry and pressed, carefully remove it from the waxed paper. You can now display it on the fridge, use it as the front of a card, or even frame it as a keepsake.
As you stand back and appreciate your enchanting leaf elephant, take pride in your creative accomplishment and delight in sharing it with others. This easy and engaging outdoor activity is a fantastic way to connect with nature and craft a precious memento that can be cherished for years to come.
Happy crafting!
Leanne