DLTK's Crafts for Kids
Autumn Mask

I've created templates for this craft so you can make it as a paper version, but you could also collect your own leaves outdoors and decorate your mask with nature's bounty!  If you do use real leaves and grasses just remember that they'll get crunchy and messy after a while, so you might want to store it somewhere safe when it isn't being used.

I've provided a large template and a small one -- I suggest you start with the small template for kids and check it out for size before decorating.  You can also make your own mask by tracing the child's hands onto autumn colored construction paper -- the nice thing about this method is that holes in your own handprints will fit your face perfectly!

Materials:

• paper,
• printer,
• something to color with,
• scissors,
• glue.
• OPTIONAL:  thin cardboard (old cereal boxes).
• OPTIONAL:  paint stir stick or ribbon.
• OPTIONAL:  real autumn leaves and grasses

Instructions:

• Print out the leaves template and mask template - I suggest trying the small mask template first.  You might want a couple copies of the leaves template depending on how heavily decorated you want your mask to be.
• Color the template if using the B&W option.
• Take a piece of thin cardboard and spread glue on it
   
  • Try to spread a nice even coat so it doesn't soak through the template.
  • We used our fingers to spread it and then wiped off our fingers right away with a damp cloth.
• Place the template (face up) onto the cardboard and press it down.
• Make sure all the EDGES of the mask are firmly glued down.
• If your kids have the patience, let dry at this point (Kaitlyn didn't, of course, so we moved right to the next step).
• Cut out around the mask.  Since we're dealing with cardboard, this is most likely an adult's job.
• Poke a hole through the center of the eyes and cut out the eye-holes.  This is definitely an adult's job.
• Cut out the template leaves.
   
  • Some of the leaves may require adult assistance. 
     
  • You could also freehand cut out leaf shapes from construction paper
    or
  • You can collect your own real leaves during a nature walk outside).
     
• Glue the leaves around the mask in whatever way you think looks nice!
• Optional:  Glue the edge of the mask to a paint stir stick so the children can hold it up to their faces or poke holes in the sides of the mask and use ribbon to tie it around the head.  I like the stir stick as I always worry the girls are going to strangle themselves when I use strings and ribbons on wearable projects.

Mask Templates:

• Close template window when done printing to return to this screen.
• Set page margins to zero if you have trouble fitting the template on one page (FILE, PAGE SETUP or FILE, PRINTER SETUP in most browsers).

Template (leaves):           (color)  or    (B&W)

Template (small mask):   (color)  or    (B&W)

Template (big mask):       (color)  or    (B&W)

Printable version of these instructions

Autumn leaf collection worksheets

Owl craft made with Autumn Leaves