Last Updated on June 27, 2020 by Natalie
If you want to shake up your outside time a little, try making some crafts. Here is an easy nature mask craft for kids – a found item leaf mask! These can be made in several ways and toddlers through older kids (and adults) will enjoy this activity. If you allow the creativity to flow, you may find your kids take your idea, change it, and run off in their own direction with it. This creativity is a very good thing!
If possible, it’s ideal to make this craft while spending time outside. Remember, the goal is to create, while spending quality time together. The goal is NOT to create something Instagram worthy. If this is the goal, it may cause unneeded stress in the adult. It may also cause disagreements among the kids and adults, leading to a strained situation instead of a fun situation. It’s okay for this to be imperfect.
How to Make an Easy Leaf Mask from Found Objects
This activity can be done anytime you’ll be able to find objects on the ground that are fairly dry. Alternatively, you can collect the items one day, let them dry, and then complete the craft.
Disclaimer
Nature Mask Style 1: Only Leaves and Flowers
This was a free-for-all we tried, using the many fallen leaves in our yard. We didn’t use a template for the mask, instead we just created with the leaves. This version requires very little preparation, which is a plus for me!
Tools Needed
- Glue
- Tape
- Leaves
- Stems
- Flowers
- Scissors (optional)
Step 1: Find your objects
Scour the yard, garden, or outdoor space to which you have access. It’s best to not remove things from public property or parks. However, in your own space, anything goes. We often use leftover bits from after pruning the garden. Since we currently have a small yard, we have a rule that we can’t pull things off of the plants. Weeds are okay to use, especially since some are so beautiful.
As you can see, we experimented with different ways to make masks. We had large leaves and in some, we cut eye holes to make the masks. In others, we glued leaves together to create the mask.
Little hands using scissors (with supervision)
Step 2: Create your mask
When we make our masks, we use glue. Sometimes, my children want to use tape. Try a glue like this this one that is a slightly more eco-friendly one. Be aware there isn’t a perfect, eco-friendly glue.
In this version, we used only leaves and flower for our masks. We created them completely from the items we found. This means they turned out floppy and fell apart as our fresh leaves dried up. My son also created nature’s body armor and he had a great time with that.
The beginning of leaf body armor.
Step 3: Let the glue dry
Before modeling or playing with your masks, let the glue dry. It’s tough to wait, but it’s worth it! Or, if your child has used tape to make body armor, model and play at your desired time!
The three of us enjoyed this project. I think the kids enjoyed it more because I didn’t impose arbitrary rules on their creativity.
Nature Mask Style 2: Starting with a Mask Template
We started this project on a day that we’d pruned this gorgeous bush in our yard. As an impromptu craft, it’s easy. The only preparation needed is the paper or thin cardboard mask template. Even with my limited drawing skills, I was able to draw this out and cut out three for the kids and I to use.
Tools Needed
- Glue
- Tape
- Paper mask cutout
- Leaves
- Stems
- Flowers
- Scissors (optional)
Step 1: Cut out an eye mask shape from paper
For our second foray into making a nature leaf mask, I decided to try gluing the items to a paper I’d cut into a eye mask shape. It’s easy to draw this out (and I am not good at drawing at all) and cut out the mask and the eye holes.
Step 2: Collect your items
We had just pruned a really pretty bush, so we had a large collection of purple and green leaves and purple flowers to use on this project. These masks were made several months apart and we have an even smaller yard in which to forage. In fact, it’s mostly patio. It isn’t as easy to find fallen items right now, so we used what was available. Our neighborhood also has a lot of decorative grasses, so we also had found some of the fluffy bits on our morning walk that we incorporated into our masks.
Step 3: Glue the pieces onto the eye mask
Again, this is where you can go wild with your creativity. I tend to create masks that are similar to masquerade style masks, but don’t be limited by my ideas. Draw upon the things you know to create yours and allow your children their space to create their own, too.
Talking Points
Masks made in the autumn will look a lot different from those made in the spring or summer. This is a wonderful way to discuss how the seasons change. Ask your kids what they think the differences would be if they made their mask in a different season. There are also differences between using fresh plant matter and dried plant matter. If both are available, discuss the differences. Which one is easier to use for this project?
Create Your Own
There are so many ways to create with a project like this. You and your children could create full face masks. You can create full body armor, too. Outside time is time well spent. Step back and watch your kids create, whenever possible. Be there to run interference during disagreements, but don’t allow your fingers to touch their work unless invited. I enjoyed doing the project with my children and I can’t wait to do it again!
Do you have feedback on making nature leaf masks? The best ideas come from other parents. Please leave a comment. Thank you!
