Explore color in nature with these lovely DIY fall leaf banners kids can make to celebrate the fall season, and parents or educators can use to demonstrate naturally-occurring patterns and environmental science.
This morning on a walk with my dog, I realized it was probably the last day for leaves in our neighborhood. They’ve been incredibly glorious this year – HUGE and full of color. So, with my trusty stick collector in tow, I absolutely STUFFED my pockets to the brim with them (as one does).
My projects this time of year can sometimes get a little…involved. I get so easily carried away by the sheer volume of inspiration, and many a good thought has turned into a time-consuming, highly elaborate heap of confusion.
This gradient leaf banner happened in the half-hour between my walk and officially starting my workday, and I have to say…I think it’s now one of my very favorite things. (If I do say so myself!) It’s totally uncomplicated and I’m keeping it forever (or…like, until December) to remind me…simplicity (*inhale*) simplicity (*exhale*) simplicity.
It’s a great excuse to get outside, enjoy the last of the leaves, and stuff your pockets with November beauty!
For more ways to use fall leaves visit our leaf loose parts play ideas. For a more nature-inspired color exploration, try making these monochromatic collections and collages using spring shapes.
To make your own fall leaf banners you’ll need:
BASIC SUPPLIES:
- A piece of cardboard, cereal box, or heavy card stock
- Fall leaves and/or assorted nature materials
- Scissors
- A glue stick
- Ribbon or yarn
OPTIONAL SUPPLIES:
- Paint in assorted colors
- Wire, string, or twine (for hanging)
How to Make Natural Gradient Leaf Banners with Kids – DIY Instructions:
Collect natural materials
We used leaves, sticks, twigs, and pinecones, but you can collect anything you like. You may find some interesting ways to work different collected materials into your banner!
Having kids look for one range of colors is a great outdoor activity, and one of the elements that really gives this natural art its own style and beauty, but you can put together any collection you like!
Glue your leaves and twigs to a piece of cardboard and trim
Using a glue stick, attach your leaves and sticks to a rectangle or square of cardboard – from lightest to darkest (or vice versa) to make a full gradient of color.
We painted a few of our sticks, but it’s an optional step.
Once finished, trim away any excess cardboard.
Tie your cardboard banner onto a stick using a ribbon
Using a bit of ribbon, thread, wire, or twine, attach your cardboard banner to a long stick.
We glued grosgrain ribbon onto the back of the cardboard banner/stick, but you can make holes to tie them together, attach them with a piece of wire, etc.
Add decorative elements
Combine colorful yarn, ribbon, and/or other items you can tie on, to give your banners a festive, decorative feel!
What is a color gradient?
A color gradient, like the leaf banner up above displays, is basically just the visualization of a color progression. Sometimes color gradients show the change from one color to a completely different color, or map the changes from a lighter to a darker shade. They can also show the progress from saturated color to a desaturated black-and-white version.
Ways to use your DIY leaf banner for learning
- DISCUSS WHY LEAVES CHANGE COLOR. Fall is all about that chlorophyll, baby! Collect some extra leaves and try leaf chlorophyll extraction and fall leaf color experiments.
- PRACTICE LEAF IDENTIFICATION. Take our free printable leaf activity kit out as you collect the leaves for your banner – make a game out of it by going on a fall scavenger hunt!
- CREATE NEW GRADIENTS. Instead of looking for natural gradients, paint your leaves to practice creating different kinds of gradients using tints and shades of one color or trying color-mixing. You can also try a handy technique we used in our photocopied leaf collages – create a photocopy of a leaf (or just draw your own outline) make a few black and white copies, then glue them on and fill them in with watercolors. This is a good variation for those of you who may not experience autumn color changes or don’t have many falling leaves.
- INVESTIGATE OTHER GRADIENTS IN NATURE. The art of flower petals, evening sunsets, and the appearance of a deep body of water. We are literally surrounded by natural gradients. What are some other examples of gradients that occur in our environments naturally, and how could you represent those in a banner?
For another opportunity to explore collaging with an autumn theme, try a printed halftone gourd collage! Use up more scrap supplies for a spooky wall hanging with our scrap paper ghost art or artist-inspired scrap fabric and yarn spider webs.
Inspired to head outside? Make an upcycled nature explorer’s kit to collect small finds along the way. Younger kids will have fun creating mouse mail!
