One of my favorite things about fall is bringing a little bit of the season indoors. This pressed leaf lantern is a simple fall craft that kids can help make, and it turns out so pretty when the candle is glowing inside. It combines time outside collecting leaves with a cozy afternoon creating something beautiful that can be enjoyed all season long.
The best part? You probably already have everything you need.
What You’ll Need
- An empty glass jar — we used an old pickle jar
- Pressed fall leaves – if you don’t live in a climate with changing leaves you can buy them here
- Mod Podge
- Paintbrush
- A candle
We used a roll-your-own beeswax candle kit to make our candle, which made this a fun little craft all the way from gathering the leaves to lighting the finished lantern.
How to Make a Pressed Leaf Lantern
1. Prep your jar.
Remove the label from your glass jar and wash it well. Let it dry completely.
2. Press your leaves.
Collect some small, colorful fall leaves and press them until they’re nice and flat. You can press them between the pages of a heavy book for a few days.If you don’t live in a location with changing leaves you can grab some here.
3. Add the leaves.
Brush a thin layer of Mod Podge onto the outside of the jar and gently place your pressed leaves on top. Smooth them down carefully with your fingers or paintbrush.
4. Seal the lantern.
Once all your leaves are where you want them, brush another coat of Mod Podge over the entire outside of the jar. Make sure the leaves are completely covered. Let it dry.
5. Add your candle.
Place your beeswax candle in the middle, light it, and enjoy your little piece of fall!
This is such an easy way to turn something that would normally go in the recycling bin into a pretty little piece of fall decor. It’s a great excuse to get outside and collect some leaves first and embrace the coziness of the season.
As always with candles and glass, supervise children closely and keep the finished lantern away from anything flammable.
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