Paper Bag Fall Leaf Art for Kids

Turn a grocery bag into beautiful paper bag fall leaf art using simple, easy supplies! The only hard thing about this project is trying to stop.

Four paper bag fall leaf art projects sit on an orange table on top of watercolors and oil pastels. The leaves are different shapes and different colors.

Why you should try paper bag fall leaf art

You went to the store, didn’t have a reusable bag with you, and now you have a paper grocery bag sitting in the drawer waiting for its time to shine.

Making art from things usually headed to the trash teaches kids

Trash can be treasure
Art can be made from upcycled materials
Creativity can be found anywhere

Plus, it’s as close to free as it gets.

Double plus, paper bag fall leaves are beautiful.

Related: Elevate your Fall art and fun with a GIANT 10-foot Fall coloring page banner!

Materials

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Brown paper grocery bag – Don’t have one? A brown lunch bag works, as does brown construction paper
Oil pastels or crayons
Watercolors
Scissors
Marker – optional

Three photos showing a paper bag leaf progressively being drawn until it has a colorful stem and veins drawn with oil pastels.

How to make paper bag fall leaf art

First, cut out a leaf shape. Sometimes we freehand the shapes, whereas other times we use a marker to draw the outlines first. Choose what feels right for you (maybe even try both ways!).

Next, draw the leaf veins with oil pastels or crayons.

Last, paint over with watercolors!

When the watercolors go over the oil pastels or crayons, kids will be delighted to see how the lines don’t disappear but instead pop through the paint.

A close up of a finished paper bag fall leaf art project - a leaf has colorful oil pastel veins and is painted with red, yellow, and orange watercolors.

What’s better: oil pastels or crayons?

They’re both wonderful art supplies (which we own, use, and love).

If you want really bold, bright colors, oil pastels are your best bet. They’re similar to crayons, but their main difference for these projects is that they add more color to your paper.

Oil pastels are probably less expensive than you might think, too. A box of 24 colors is usually around $6 and will last for YEARS.

I always prefer oil pastels over crayons when using watercolors, but crayons work just fine if that’s what you have on hand.

Related: Try one of these watercolor + oil pastel projects:

A bunch of leaves cut from paper bags in different shapes and sizes sit on an orange table next to the art supplies.

What to do with your finished paper bag fall leaf art

Whenever we make these, we quickly end up with a ton because they’re just so fun to make.

Use yours to:

Make a garland – string together with a hole punch and yarn
Create a gallery – hang the leaves together on a door or wall
Use for cards – adding a handmade leaf to Fall gifts makes them extra special

No matter how you choose to use or display your leaves, they’re always such a special project sure to bring smiles to the faces of everyone.

Have fun, friends!