Create a Fun Fall Leaf Collection Tree with Your Kids

My children love a good scavenger hunt, and finding a way to make a project an art project, nature project, AND scavenger hunt has been the biggest win for us. Fall is our favorite time to be outside – the mosquitoes are gone, the air is perfectly crisp and no longer instantly sweat inducing, and the leaves in our neighborhood are something else. Personally, I want to spend all my time outside in the fall, more than any other season. This Leaf Collection Tree helps me do just that.

One simple and engaging activity that keeps my kids occupied and not driving themselves, myself, each other, anyone crazy is the Leaf Collection Tree. It’s hands-on, creative, and gives kids a fun way to explore nature while celebrating autumn colors. It also is VERY low effort as far as supplies. As long as you can find some leaves that is.

What You’ll Need:

• A piece of sturdy cardboard – a cut up Amazon box works great
• Pencil or markers
• Scissors or a hole punch/drill (for adult use)
• Leaves collected from outside

How to Make Your Leaf Collection Tree:

1. Draw or Paint the Tree
   Start by drawing or painting the outline of a tree on your card. Include the trunk and branches, but don’t add any leaves yet. This will be the foundation for your leaf display.
2. Create Leaf Slots
   Carefully poke holes or drill small openings (I use a 3/32 bit) in the spots where you want your leaves to go. Make sure the holes are big enough to fit the stems of the leaves. Don’t go overboard on the holes if leaves are hard to come by or you have kids with short attention span or an inkling for perfectionism.  (This step should be done by an adult.)
3. Go on a Leaf Hunt
   Take your kids outside to find colorful fall leaves. Encourage them to look for different shapes, sizes, and colors—reds, oranges, yellows, and browns all make the tree pop!
4. Fill the Tree
   Insert the leaves into the holes on your tree. Kids can mix and match colors and shapes to create their perfect fall masterpiece.

Adapt the Activity for Different Ages

• Younger Kids: Focus on color recognition and matching. Encourage them to place leaves by color or size to create a rainbow or pattern.
• Older Kids: Turn it into a mini science lesson. Have them identify leaf types, count different species, or sort leaves by texture and shape. This adds an educational twist while keeping it fun.

Leaf Identification

Make your leaf collection even more educational by turning it into a leaf identification activity:

• Bring along a simple leaf guide or use a phone app to help identify tree species.
• Encourage kids to notice the differences between leaves: Are they smooth or serrated? Long or round? Simple or compound?
• Mark each leaf on the back with the tree name or symbol. This way, your Leaf Collection Tree becomes a colorful learning chart as well as a craft project.
• You can also compare leaves from different areas—park vs. backyard—to see the diversity in nature.

Learning Opportunities:

• Nature Exploration: Kids learn about different types of trees and leaves.
• Fine Motor Skills: Picking up leaves and placing them into the tree strengthens hand-eye coordination.
• Creativity: Kids can design their tree however they like and even paint the trunk or branches in fun colors.

Extra Tips:

• Try pressing the leaves first (if you have patient enough kids) for a smoother fit.
• Use this activity to start a seasonal nature journal—record what types of leaves were found.
• Hang your finished Leaf Collection Tree on a wall or display it in a window for everyone to enjoy.

This Leaf Collection Tree activity is a wonderful way to combine outdoor adventure, creativity, and hands on learning. Plus, the hunt usually entertains my kids for long enough I can sit and drink some coffee (check out our favorite fall drinks you can make at home!) outside on a beautiful fall days, so this project is 100% a win for us!