Leaf by Leaf: A Simple & Sweet Found Nature Tree Craft

There’s something incredibly grounding about stepping outside with a basket and a purpose—whether it’s to collect pinecones, petals, or, in this case, fallen leaves. In our homeschool, we’ve been leaning into the rhythm of the seasons, finding joy in what nature offers us for free.

This Found Leaf Tree Art is a celebration of fall, of curiosity, and of learning through play. It’s simple enough for little hands, yet meaningful enough to become a treasured keepsake. And the best part? It starts with a walk.

What We Used:

 Assorted real leaves (collected from a nature walk)

 Colored construction paper (we used yellow for the background)

 Brown paper ( we used a grocery bag ) for the tree trunk

 White glue

How We Made It:

1. Nature Walk First

We bundled up and headed outdoors, each of us gathering leaves of different shapes, colors, and textures. This part was half the fun, turning a walk into a treasure hunt!

2. Create the Trunk

We tore a piece of brown paper for the tree trunk and glued it down the center of the page.

3. Arrange the Leaves

My child carefully chose and placed each leaf, layering them at the top of the trunk to create the “crown” of the tree. We talked about how leaves change color, fall to the ground, and help trees rest during winter.

4. Secure with Glue

A dab of white glue on the back of each leaf was enough to keep them in place. We let it dry flat to avoid any slipping or curling. We didn’t use anything to seal it but that would have been helpful!