Fall Leaves

thingiverse

Create awesome laser-cut designs for kids with this fantastic back-to-school project! Instructions are easy to follow and perfect for young artists. Use recycled corrugated cardboard as the base material for this kid-friendly project. Apply vibrant colors with tempera paint, using a unique daubing technique similar to decorative sponge painting or ragging on walls. The surprising part is that plastic or Styrofoam plates make excellent paint palettes and keep colors contained well. Be cautious of sharp edges, however, so traditional finger painting isn't recommended for corrugated cardboard, whereas laser-cut cereal boxes (chipboard food packaging) or poster board might be a better choice. To ensure children can easily retrieve their leaves later on when you change the classroom decorations, have them sign their names on the back of the leaf beforehand. To hang these colorful leaves effectively, utilize the "37 Teacher Hacks" tip from Buzzfeed.com. Simply place a strip of blue painter's tape on the wall, apply a line of hot glue to it, and carefully attach your finished leaf. Just keep in mind that cardboard is prone to warping over time due to humidity.