Making an autumn leaf lantern is a wonderful way of enjoying the beautiful colours and shapes of autumn leaves. Why not collect some leaves when you are next out and about in your garden, park or on a walk to school or nursery? Add a little battery-operated night light to your lantern to create a warm magical glow!

You will need:

• greaseproof or baking paper
• leaves
• cardboard (a cereal box will work)
• scissors
• pencil
• glue
• stapler
• sticky tape
• holepunch
• string/twine

Tip: Smaller leaves work a better than larger leaves. Use any larger leaves you collect for making leaf animals.

Make sure that your leaves are as dry as possible. If they feel damp then press them between sheets of kitchen roll or newspaper for a day or so beforehand. This will help flatten them and absorb the moisture so they stick better to the lantern, as well as stop them going mouldy. You could also iron the leaves on a very low heat which helps flatten and dry them out which is much quicker.

How to make:

• Cut out 2 sheets of greaseproof measuring 30cm x 20cm. Lay out one of your sheets of greaseproof paper on a flat surface and add some glue.
• Arrange your leaves on the greaseproof paper making sure they are stuck down well. Try and leave some space around each leaf so the candlelight can shine through and create a lovely glow.

• Add some more glue on top of the leaves and greaseproof paper and then press the second sheet of grease proof paper on top.
• Put a small pile of books on top to help the glue to stick properly and flatten the leaves and paper. Leave it for about 30 minutes, whilst you prepare the lantern's cardboard strips.

• Cut 4 strips of cardboard about 30cm x 4cm. Place 2 cardboard strips at the top and 2 at the bottom of the greaseproof paper, sandwiching the greaseproof paper in between the strips. Glue or staple in place. Gluing is neater but stapling is quicker. If you use glue, you may need to wait a little while for the glue to dry before the next step.
• Now bring the lantern sides together and staple the cardboard strips at the top and bottom. You could also fasten the sides with sticky tape rather than staples if you prefer. I found that stapling was more secure.

• Now make a base for your lantern by placing the lantern upright on a piece of cardboard and drawing around it to create a circle as shown.
• Cut out the circle base.

• Stick the cardboard base to the lower edge of your lantern with short lengths of sticky tape.
• Punch 2 holes at the top at either side. Thread a length of string through and tie the loose ends together to create a hanging loop.
• Finally add a battery-operated night light and enjoy the magic of autumn leaves!

For more autumn inspiration, have a look at making leaf animals, colouring in an autumn leaf bookmark and going on an autumn scavenger hunt.

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