Autumn Leaves / Kids and Glue!

AUTUMN LEAVES ~ CRAFT FOR KIDS

by Denise Imbody

I used to do this craft with the different Sunday school classes I taught, and it was a big hit.

Materials:

A Big sheet of paper (your choice of size really)

All different colors of tissue paper

Markers or crayons

Glue or glue sticks

Scissors

Instructions ~ Have the children draw a picture of a tree, with bare branches, and ground--and whatever else they'd like in the picture. (If the children you are working with, are too young to do this, then have the pictures drawn ahead of time for them.)

            Cut the colored tissue paper into any size square--it's been a while since I have done this project - but I think 2" by 2" will work fine. (Again, you might want to have this done ahead of time too, depending on the age of the children.)

            I think glue sticks will work fine for this project. So, have them dab the glue in different places on the picture--some on the tree, some falling to the ground, and some on the ground.

            Then take the squares of tissue paper--1 at a time--crinkle it up—and put it on the glue spots.

            If you would rather use glue, you can use the tip below. After the children crinkle the colored squares, apply a little glue to each "leaf" with the cotton swab, and stick it on the picture.

            There you have it - a nice picture of autumn leaves.

Note from Lois: Another way to do this craft is by cutting 1 1/2 inch squares of tissue paper, centering a pencil eraser on the paper, picking it up with the ends of the paper around the pencil.  Twist the paper around the pencil, dip into glue and place each leaf on the tree in this way. 

KIDS AND GLUE! ~ QUICK CRAFT TIP

Contributed by Barb Campbell of Mississippi

Kids & Glue! What a mess that brings to mind. Years ago when teaching Sunday school to 4 & 5 year old children, I learned the neatest trick. Save lids from small plastic containers, like margarine tubs. Clean them thoroughly. When your child has an activity that requires gluing, squeeze some glue into the lid. Then have the child dip cotton swabs (Q-Tips) into the glue and use them to apply it to the paper or whatever it is they are gluing. Have plenty of swabs on hand so they can toss them away as they get sticky! This is much easier for children to manage than glue bottles and makes a lot less of a mess! You can clean and reuse the lids if you like or just throw them away and use a new one the next time you're gluing!