DIY Leaf Gnome Craft: Easy Fall Fun for Kids and Adults
Fall is the perfect season to break out the craft supplies, and this adorable Leaf Gnome Craft is an easy project that kids and adults can enjoy together! Made with a simple paper plate and inexpensive supplies you can find at the Dollar Store, this cheerful little gnome features a colorful fall leaf beard, a tall hat, and a cute flower accent. Best of all, you can make your own Paper Plate Leaf Gnome in about 30 minutes.
This Leaf Gnome Craft is more than just a cute fall decoration—it’s also a fun hands-on activity for little ones. Cutting, painting, gluing, and assembling the different pieces gives kids an opportunity to practice fine motor skills, counting, following directions, and creativity. Younger children may need a little help with cutting, while older kids can personalize their gnomes and complete much of the project on their own.
I love an easy fall craft that doesn’t require expensive supplies or hours of preparation, and this Paper Plate Leaf Gnome Craft definitely fits the bill. Make one on a cozy afternoon at home, use it for a classroom fall activity, or gather the family around the table for a little weekend crafting. Kids can experiment with different fall colors, hats, flowers, and decorations, so every little leaf gnome can have its own personality!
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Materials:
- Paper Plate – Dollar Store
- Button, Black – Dollar Store
- Craft Paint – Light Orange, Medium Orange, Dark Orange, Pink
- Cardstock – Dark Brown, Tan, Golden Yellow, Burgundy
- Glue Gun and Glue Sticks – Dollar Store
- Paintbrush
- Scissors
- Pencil
- PATTERNS
Instructions:
- Gather all supplies. Basecoat the outside of the paper plate with light orange acrylic craft paint. Let dry, and apply a second coat, if necessary.
- Squeeze random dots of medium orange and dark orange acrylic craft paint onto the inside of another paper plate. Layer the light orange paper plate on top and apply pressure all over the surface with your hands.
- Carefully lift the light orange paper plate up to reveal the squished paint pattern. Keep the second paper plate to create another craft! The light, medium, and dark tones of the acrylic craft paint mimic the variety of gorgeous colors that Autumn leaves present in the Fall. Experiment with colors and create your own combinations.
- Download and print the leaf pattern, then cut it out with scissors. Trace the oak leaf pattern onto the orange paper plate with a pencil.
- Cut out the leaf pattern with scissors, making sure to cut inside the traced lines for a clean, finished project.
- Trace the gnome body onto dark brown cardstock, the gnome nose onto tan cardstock, the gnome hat band onto burgundy cardstock, and the flower onto golden yellow cardstock with a pencil. You could also use colored craft foam, construction paper, or craft felt for this project.
- Cut out the leaf gnome patterns with scissors, making sure to cut inside the traced lines for a clean, finished project.
- Attach the paper plate leaf beard to the gnome body with a glue gun and glue sticks. Make sure to leave the top of the leaf loose. TIP: You can use liquid craft glue for this project, but you will have to wait for it to dry.
- Glue the burgundy hat band just above the top edge of the paper plate beard. Secure a black button to the center of the flower.
- Attach the tan cardstock nose to the top center of the leaf beard with a glue gun and glue sticks. To finish, glue the flower to the gnome’s hat.
What to Do With Your Finished Leaf Gnome Craft
Once your Leaf Gnome Craft is finished and completely dry, there are lots of fun ways to display it. Hang it on the refrigerator, a bedroom door, or the wall as a cute homemade fall decoration. Teachers can use a collection of colorful gnomes to create an adorable fall classroom or bulletin board display.
You could also add your gnome to a fall mantel, prop it on a shelf, or incorporate it into your Thanksgiving decorations. If everyone in the family makes one, create an entire family of fall leaf gnomes and display them together!
Another cute idea is to write the child’s name and year on the back before storing it with your seasonal decorations. It becomes a sweet little keepsake to bring out again each fall.
Print the Tutorial:
Cute Paper Plate Leaf Gnome Craft
Make an adorable Leaf Gnome Craft from a paper plate in about 30 minutes! This easy Dollar Store fall craft is fun for kids and adults.
Materials
- Paper Plate – Dollar Store
- Button, Black – Dollar Store
- Craft Paint – Light Orange, Medium Orange, Dark Orange, Pink
- Cardstock – Dark Brown, Tan, Golden Yellow, Burgundy
Tools
- Glue Gun and Glue Sticks – Dollar Store
- Paintbrush
- Scissors
- Pencil
Instructions
- Gather all supplies. Basecoat the outside of the paper plate with light orange acrylic craft paint. Let dry, and apply a second coat, if necessary.
- Squeeze random dots of medium orange and dark orange acrylic craft paint onto the inside of another paper plate. Layer the light orange paper plate on top and apply pressure all over the surface with your hands.
- Carefully lift the light orange paper plate up to reveal the squished paint pattern. Keep the second paper plate to create another craft! The light, medium, and dark tones of the acrylic craft paint mimic the variety of gorgeous colors that Autumn leaves present in the Fall. Experiment with colors and create your own combinations.
- Download and print the leaf pattern, then cut it out with scissors. Trace the oak leaf pattern onto the orange paper plate with a pencil.
- Cut out the leaf pattern with scissors, making sure to cut inside the traced lines for a clean, finished project.
- Trace the gnome body onto dark brown cardstock, the gnome nose onto tan cardstock, the gnome hat band onto burgundy cardstock, and the flower onto golden yellow cardstock with a pencil. You could also use colored craft foam, construction paper, or craft felt for this project.
- Cut out the leaf gnome patterns with scissors, making sure to cut inside the traced lines for a clean, finished project.
- Attach the paper plate leaf beard to the gnome body with a glue gun and glue sticks. Make sure to leave the top of the leaf loose. TIP: You can use liquid craft glue for this project, but you will have to wait for it to dry.
- Glue the burgundy hat band just above the top edge of the paper plate beard. Secure a black button to the center of the flower.
- Attach the tan cardstock nose to the top center of the leaf beard with a glue gun and glue sticks. To finish, glue the flower to the gnome’s hat.
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