About This Project

A 25–45 minutes craft for ages 5–10, using supplies you likely already have — Tape, Sharpie Markers, and Scissors.

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.

This project is perfect for:
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.
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    A cartoon of Tape
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Sharpie Markers
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Scissors
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Pencils
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Disposable Plates
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Googly Eyes
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Craft Sticks
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Printer
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Acrylic Paint
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Acrylic Paint
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Acrylic Paint
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Newspapers
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Paper
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Pipe Cleaners
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Glue Sticks
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
  2. 2

    Make Autumn Leaf Puppets

    Your creative buddy says:
    "Let's stick together and make this one!"

    Step 1: Draw and cut out your leaf shape.

    May need grown-up help
    First, you will draw or trace a leaf shape onto a paper plate. You can use the special leaf template or draw your own. Then, carefully cut out the leaf shape. Ask a grown-up for help if you need it with cutting.

    Step 2: Paint your leaf with a fun scraping trick.

    Put your cut-out leaf on some newspaper to keep things tidy. Squeeze drops of fall colors like orange, red, and yellow paint onto the middle of the leaf. Do this on the side of the plate that doesn't have a shiny coating. Take a popsicle stick and gently pull it across one side of the paint, moving it a little bit up and to the side. Then, put the popsicle stick back in the middle and pull it across the other side of the paint, also moving it a little bit up and to the side. This makes cool patterns! Let the paint dry completely before you touch it again. This might take a little while, so you can take a break or have a snack!

    Step 3: Add a handle, arms, and legs to your puppet.

    Turn your leaf over. Use tape to stick a popsicle stick to the back of the leaf. This will be the handle for your puppet. Next, use tape to add pipe cleaners for arms and legs. You can wrap the pipe cleaners around a pencil to make them curly, like spirals! Your puppet's arms can even hold little things for your puppet show.

    Step 4: Give your puppet a face and other fun details.

    Glue googly eyes onto your leaf puppet to give it a face. Use a marker to draw a happy mouth. You can add any other fun details you like to make your puppet special!

    Step 5: Put on a puppet show!

    Now that your leaf puppets are ready, it's time for a show! You can use a coffee table or the back of a chair as your stage. Make up a story for your puppets to act out, or just let them dance to your favorite music. Have fun!
  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 Tape
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Sharpie Markers
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Pencils
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Disposable Plates
      Where they belong:
      • — Don't forget! Disposable plates may be compostable or recyclable! Do your part to keep trash out of the landfill.
    • A cartoon of Googly Eyes
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Craft Sticks
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Acrylic Paint
      Where they belong:
      • — Don't forget! Make sure all paint bottle lids are shut tight.
    • A cartoon of Acrylic Paint
      Where they belong:
      • — Don't forget! Make sure all paint bottle lids are shut tight.
    • A cartoon of Acrylic Paint
      Where they belong:
      • — Don't forget! Make sure all paint bottle lids are shut tight.
    • A cartoon of Newspapers
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Paper
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Pipe Cleaners
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Glue Sticks
      Where they belong:
      • — Don't forget! Put cap on glue sticks tightly.
    • 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

    Celebrate

    Your creative buddy says:
    "Great job!"

    Made something awesome? Keep going.

    Your first project is free. Create your free GlueStick account to keep making — and discover projects you can do with the supplies you already have.

Upcycle supplies you already have in a flash

Snap a photo of your recycling bin, junk drawer, or fridge and GlueStick finds projects you can make right now with the supplies you already have — no store trip, no expensive kits, just more creative afternoons together.

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