Here's how to turn pretty fall leaves into clever Halloween costumes and home decor. No rake required!
9 DIY Halloween Decor and Costume Ideas With Fall Leaves
Updated on Oct. 31, 2024
Use ‘Em if You’ve Got ‘Em!
Fall is by far my favorite season, but unfortunately I live in a desert climate where colorful fall leaves are practically non-existent. I’m jealous of those anyone surrounded by oranges and reds every autumn. This round-up of DIY Halloween costumes and home decor using fall leaves made me even more envious!
Take a look at these creative ideas for garlands, lanterns, head pieces and more, all crafted with the leaves covering your yard. And if you’re like me, without much access to fall leaves, we can try these projects too, but we’re stuck with the faux version.
1
/
9
Fall Leaf Garland
I’ve seen fall garlands draped on mantles and up stairway railings before, but this idea from @rusticwildarrow stopped me in my tracks. The garland is organically draped down the bookcase, surrounding the spooky Halloween artwork in the center of the display. This is a faux garland, but could also be made with real leaves. Dip leaves in melted wax to preserve them and make them more pliable.
2
/
9
Fall Tree Costume
When her daughter asked to be a tree for Halloween, Katy of Mitten Girl delivered! She cut the trunk out of a large cardboard box and reinforced the branches with wood craft sticks so they wouldn’t flop down. Wood grain scrapbook paper gave the tree texture, then of course the most important element — the leaves! She glued fall leaves (she used faux leaves, but real leaves would also work) onto the branches using a hot glue gun.
“You should avoid using flammable materials or constructing the costume with epoxies,” says DIY costume and decor expert Vanessa Walilko, “Hot glue is the safer, less noxious alternative for homemade costumes.”
3
/
9
Fall Leaf Sun Catchers
This idea from @leahdamon is simple to pull off, but the result is beautiful, and your kids will love it too. Collect fall leaves to create colorful sun catchers. Leah says, “Simply use double-stick tape to attach your leaves in a circular pattern and watch the sun shine through to illuminate the gorgeous colors, veins and details! Each leaf type will create its own unique pattern when arranged in a circle.”
4
/
9
Fall Leaf Wall Hanging
To make a pretty wall hanging like this one by @downpeachtreelane, collect fall leaves and while you’re at it, grab a small- to medium-sized tree branch, too. To press the leaves, place them between two sheets of wax paper and place a heavy book on top. Attach the pressed leaves to embroidery floss using a hot glue gun, then hang the strings from the branch.
5
/
9
Wax Leaf Wreath
My family always knows fall is here when I bring my fall wreath out of the garage to hang on the front door. It’s pretty, but you can’t beat the natural beauty of a wreath made with real leaves — like this one from @mysimplewild. It was crafted with beeswax-covered leaves glued to a circular piece of cardboard. Dried hawthorn berries and rose hips add texture and color.
“Leaves are fragile when dried, so if you want to use them in more sculptural decor or costumes, be sure to attach them to cardboard, mat board, or craft foam as a backing to prevent them from crumbling,” says Walilko.
6
/
9
Fall Leaf Wall
Here’s another simple idea to do with your kids. Go on a nature walk and have them collect their favorite fall leaves. Then, tape the leaves to a blank wall. That’s it! I never would have thought of this, but this image from @cmltvnk inspired me. The random arrangement and variety of shapes and sizes of leaves create a beautiful composition.
For longer-lasting wall decor, pop the leaves in a frame. “Autumn leaves make perfect decorations—and they’re free! I framed a vibrant red leaf I found in college and hung it as an art piece on my wall for years until it finally faded,” says Walilko.
7
/
9
@thecottagepeach Would you make this easy leaf crown? No supplies needed and it biodegrades when you’re done with it 🍂🧡 #FomotionalFinds #leafcrown #fallcraftideas #autumndiaries🍁 #fallcraftproject #biodegradeable #leafart🍃 #natruecrown #diycrown #easycrown ♬ Au Revoir – Sweet After Tears
Fall Leaf Crown
This leaf crown would be great for a fairy costume or other autumn-themed Halloween costume. Watch as @thecottagepeach weaves the leaves together using their stems; no supplies are needed! Add berries, flowers or twigs to make a more elaborate crown. I’ve also seen a version of this made by gluing the leaves to a thin wire fitted to the wearer’s head.
8
/
9
@mudandbloom 🍁 Make an autumn leaf jam jar lantern!🏮 These autumn leaf lanterns are so pretty and create a really lovely glow on a dark evening. They’re also simple to make and little ones will have great fun smothering the jars in glue and sticking on the leaves! We’ve written a blog post on how to make them which you can find here: www.mudandbloom.com/blog #autumnleaves #leaflantern #naturecraftsforkids #cosy #autumnleaflanterns #martinmas #waldorfcrafts #steinercrafts #mudandbloom ♬ SUN GOES DOWN – Andreas Roehrig
Fall Leaf Lanterns
Check out these fall leaf lanterns from @mudandbloom made with leaves, glue and empty jars. Paint the jar with a glue, stick on the leaves and cover the leaves and the jar with another layer of glue to ensure everything is secure. Make sure the glue you use dries transparent, allowing the leaves to emit a golden glow when you light the candle inside.
You can also cover some pumpkins with fall leaves if you don’t want to deal with fire!
9
/
9
@lonefoxhome Found this HUGE leaf and had to make this cute clay bowl! #fall #diy #diyproject #falldecor #TargetHalloween #autumn #diyprojects #homedecor ♬ Coming of Age – Blondes
DIY Leaf Bowl
Here’s a unique DIY project made with a giant leaf. Follow along as @lonefoxhome rolls out sculpting clay into a thin layer as big enough as the leaf. He presses the leaf on top of the clay to transfer the design. The leaf shape is then cut out and laid on a bowl. Bake for 30 minutes to harden, then seal with a clear topcoat. The leaf-shaped bowl is the perfect fall decor for any table in your home.
About the Expert
- Vanessa Walilko is an international award-winning jewelry and fashion designer from Chicago, IL. Her chainmail costume pieces have been in Broadway’s Pippin and on the professional wrestler Cody Rhodes. She is the owner and designer of Kali Butterfly where you can see and purchase her costume and jewelry work.
