Nature's Pumpkin Craft: A Simple DIY for Cranky Kids
On a recent blustery fall morning, our kids were tired, crabby, and unable to stop quarreling. I knew getting outside was the solution we needed, but I couldn’t get anyone to leave the house. So, I came up with this craft on the fly with the first step of "go collect leaves outside." Miraculously, it worked to end their battle, reset our nervous systems, and buy me 30 minutes of peace to drink my coffee.
Passing along this little trick to keep in your back pocket for a day when you need it:
Materials You’ll Need
Cardboard (like an old pizza box)
Leaves, acorns, or other items from nature
Glue
Scissors
Step-by-Step Instructions
Cut the Pumpkin Shape
Use scissors to cut a pumpkin shape out of your cardboard. Don't worry about perfection; the leaves will cover it anyway! The shape is just a guide for the kids.
Go Outside and Collect
Give the kids a bag or bucket and send them on a mission to collect leaves, twigs, and other natural treasures. Keep them out as long as you can—way beyond the quantity needed. This is the crucial step for getting those wiggles out.
Get Gluing!
Hand the kids their glue, the pumpkin cutout, and the items they collected. They can cover the entire pumpkin with leaves, create a leaf collage, or even use the leaves to spell out their name or first initial.
Sit Back and Enjoy
The final and most important step: find a comfortable seat and enjoy your favorite beverage. You've earned it!
Tips for Success
Use What You Have: This craft is all about using what's available. Don’t feel like you need to buy any new materials. A greasy pizza box or a discarded shipping box will work perfectly.
Embrace the Chaos: It’s a craft for kids, so it won’t be perfect. Let them have fun with it and enjoy the process.
Make it an Adventure: Frame the leaf collection as a "nature hunt." This makes the first step more exciting and gets them invested in the activity.
This nature pumpkin craft is a simple, low-prep activity that can turn a grumpy day around. We hope you and your kids enjoy it as much as we did!
Tired of feeling cranky?
If this simple craft helped you find a moment of calm, imagine what a little gardening can do! Discover another mood-boosting, hands-on project in our post on The Surprising Benefits of a Front Yard Edible Garden. It's the perfect way to turn tricky times into beautiful blooms.