About This Project

A 10–30 minutes craft, using supplies you likely already have — Scissors, Markers, and Printer.

GlueStick supports kids from setup to cleanup. After they choose a project, we guide them through gathering the supplies, making it, and cleaning up when they're done. We'll even help them share it safely with trusted family and friends.

Ad-free and kid-safe library — designed by a mom who wants kids to explore and create independently.

Project Tags
  1. 1

    Find Supplies

    Do you have everything you need?
    Create a free GlueStick account to track supplies and see if you have what you need at a glance. Leave your kids tips about where supplies are stored in your household so they can set up and clean up their creative spaces independently.
    00:00
    A cartoon of Scissors
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Markers
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Printer
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Water
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Coffee Filters
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Paper
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
  2. 2

    Make Autumn Leaf Craft: STEAM Absorption Art

    Your creative buddy says:
    "Are you as excited to make this as I am?"

    Step 1: Cut out the leaf shape

    May need grown-up help
    Place the coffee filter on top of the leaf template and trace it out. Ask an adult for help if you are unable to print the template. You could always use a cookie cutter or draw a leaf shape on your own. Grab about 5 coffee filters at a time, trace the leaf on the top filter, and then carefully cut the coffee filters. Be careful when using scissors. Ask an adult for help if you need it.

    Step 2: Color the leaf

    Put paper underneath your coffee filter leaves to protect your work surface. Marker WILL bleed through your leaves. Use the markers to make a doughnut ring in the middle of the leaf. Draw a circle in the middle and then trace around it a few times. Make sure the inside of the circle is not filled in as well as the rest of the leaf because you want to leave room for the color to travel up the leaf. Experiment and try several colors at a time if you want.

    Step 3: Fold the leaf

    Fold the leaf 3 times (in half, in half and in half again) making a point in the middle of the circle.

    Step 4: Dip the leaf in water

    Carefully dip the leaf in the water so that only the white tip of the circle touches. The water should start to travel up the coffee filter leaf and spread the ink throughout. It only takes a minute for the leaf to be completely saturated.

    Step 5: Dry the leaf

    Remove the leaf from the water and let it dry. Tape the leaf to a box or clip them on a clothesline.

    Step 6: Unfold and enjoy

    Once the leaf is dry carefully unfold it and enjoy. Use the leaves to make a fall leaf collage.
  3. 3

    Clean up

    Put things away so your space is tidy for next time.

    Tidy up our space

    Put away our supplies

    Check off each supply when it is put away — and any clean-up tips underneath are done too. You might find a fun surprise!

    • A cartoon of Markers
      Where they belong:
      • — Don't forget! Close all marker caps tightly.
    • A cartoon of Water
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Coffee Filters
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Paper
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Scissors
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Printer
      Where they belong:

    Update what we have left

    Did we run out of anything while making this project? Update our supply cupboard so that we know exactly what we have for next time.

    This project could unlock 3 creative buddies. Sign in to unlock them.

  4. 4

    Save

    Your creative buddy says:
    "Way to stick with it!"

    Create a free account to save your digital masterpiece to the Art Gallery.

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