Looking for a simple fall craft for your kids? These cheeky leaf puppets are easy to make and a lot of fun.

They are perfect for younger kids, allowing them to explore their artistic abilities and tell stories.

So, gather your supplies and prepare for a fun-filled craft adventure as you bring these adorable leaf puppets to life!

Fall has arrived in our small hamlet in Northern Alberta. It always seems to come overnight.

One minute you are in the hazy summer days, then one blink later, summer transforms into fall!

The leaves turn yellow, kids return to school, and the stores display the annual array of plump pumpkins and Fall produce. It’s the perfect time to gather the kids and enjoy a fun Fall craft.

This leaf puppet craft is a great activity for kids! Use them as a birthday party activity where kids make puppets and then put on a show.

Or a fun school activity as part of a leaf project. It can also be used to keep children busy at family gatherings or Thanksgiving.

Stick around (pun absolutely intended!) as we guide you through the delightful journey of creating your leaf stick puppet.

You Will Need

Craft sticks
silk leaves
thin ribbon
Acrylic Craft Paint (We used brown and Pink)
Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
Google eyes
Black Permanent Marker
Paintbrush
Pencil with new Eraser
scissors

Using A Glue Gun With Children

When it comes to crafting with kids, ensuring their safety is always our top priority. Young kids can use hot glue guns, but supervision is essential. Hot glue guns can potentially cause burns, so children must be taught to use them safely.

Tip: Self-adhesive glue dots can be used instead of glue guns and are very effective. You can also use white craft glue. Drying may take longer, but it’s a safe choice, especially for younger crafters. So, choose the option that best suits your needs, and enjoy crafting your leaf puppets safely!

How To Make Leaf Puppets

Step 1 Prepare the Craft Sticks

Start by painting your craft sticks with a coat of acrylic paint. We used brown, but choose any Fall color that sparks your imagination! Be sure to wash your paintbrush straight away after painting. If the paint dries on your brush, it could get ruined.

While the painted craft sticks are drying, you can start on the fun part. Creating your leafy faces!

Step 2 Prepare The Leaf Faces

Now it’s time to bring our little leaf puppets to life! Use hot glue to attach the googly eyes to each leaf.

This gives your puppet its own unique personality. Experiment with the placement of the eyes. Try close together, far apart, or put the eyes on the slant.

Next, create rosy cheeks using a pencil eraser to stamp pink paint dots onto the leaf. Lastly, take a permanent black marker to draw a mouth, extending it from one cheek to the other. And voila! Your leaf puppet now has a cheerful face.

Step 3 Assemble The Puppets

Now it’s time to attach your leaf to the craft stick! Begin by applying a line of hot glue about 1 to 1.5 inches long at the top of the craft stick. Carefully press your leaf onto the stick. Try to place the craft stick at the center of the leaf.

Step 4 Add The Finishing Touches

Let’s add a final flourish to our leaf puppet with a dash of color and charm! Gather various ribbon scraps and tie them into small, adorable bows.

Be sure to trim any long ends with scissors to keep them neat. Cut a small notch at both ends to prevent the ribbon from fraying.

Once your bows are ready, attach one at the bottom of each leaf. Now you are ready to put on a show!

This post is part of my Seasonal Activities collection. You can find all my Holiday & Seasonal Activities here, or head to the Kids Activities resource hub where you’ll find hundreds of fun ideas all in one place.

More Ideas For Creating Leaf Puppets

The beauty of this craft is that it offers endless opportunities to get creative and personalize your leaf puppet! Here are a few suggestions:

Mix and Match: Don’t limit yourself to one leaf type or color. Try combining different sizes, colors, and types of leaves. Pair these with various paint colors and ribbon types to create a truly unique puppet every time.
Nature’s Touch: You can also use real leaves for a more authentic feel. Simply laminate them to make them durable and craft-ready!
Express Yourself: Why stick to one facial expression? Let your imagination run wild and create a range of expressions, from happy to surprised and cheeky to thoughtful.
Leaf Monsters: If you’re in the mood for a little spooky fun, why not create leaf monsters? Add multiple eyes and monster mouths, and let the monster mania begin!
Learning with Fun: You can incorporate a fun learning element by discussing why leaves change colors with the seasons while you craft. This turns your creative time into a valuable learning experience too! This would be a great craft to use with a leaf theme.
Leaf Fairies: I thought these leaf fairies were adorable! They are made from real leaves, but you could also use silk ones.
Craft Kits: Gather the materials to make a leaf puppet and put it into a resealable bag to make a simple craft kit for party favors or even a stocking stuffer.

Remember, there are no rules when it comes to creativity. We’ll leaf it to your imagination! Have fun experimenting with your leaf puppets!

Print Pin

Easy Leaf Puppets

Spark creativity this fall with our DIY leaf puppets! A fun & easy craft for kids that brings the beauty of autumn indoors.

Course Easy Crafts

Prep Time 15

Equipment

Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
Black Permanent Marker
Paintbrush
Pencil with new Eraser
scissors

Ingredients

Craft sticks
silk leaves
thin ribbon
Acrylic Craft Paint We used brown and Pink
Google eyes

Instructions

Paint your craft sticks with a coat of acrylic paint.
Glue googly eyes to each leaf. Experiment with the placement of the eyes.
Create rosy cheeks using a pencil eraser to stamp pink paint dots onto the leaf.
Draw a mouth with a permanent black marker.
Apply a line of hot glue about 1 to 1.5 inches long at the top of the craft stick. Carefully press your leaf onto the stick.
Glue small ribbon bows to the bottom of each leaf.

Notes

Self-adhesive glue dots can be used instead of hot glue. You can also use white craft glue. Drying may take longer, but it’s a safe choice, especially for younger crafters.

Looking For Some Other Simple Crafts?

Try these

Making a simple leaf puppet is a delightful fall craft for younger kids. It is an easy and engaging activity that can be done at home or in the classroom. We are sure that your children will enjoy making their puppets. So, gather some silk leaves, popsicle sticks, glue, and markers, and prepare for an afternoon of leafy puppetry! Don’t forget to pin this post, so you can get back to it later.