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Are you in search of affordable dollar store crafts for adults? This DIY Fall Leaves Bowl is a fun piece of decor for the home and it makes the best centerpiece!
We’re always picking up craft supplies at the local dollar store, and this Fall Leaves Bowl is a result of crafting with those supplies.
It’s such a fun craft, but it takes some technical skill and patience, so it’s better suited for adults and older kids. It would be much too challenging for younger kids.
Next time I want to make a larger bowl with more leaves, but this one is perfect for displaying some nuts or wrapped candies. I wouldn’t recommend putting any food without a wrapper or discardable shell in this bowl since the glue is exposed.
DIY Fall Leaves Bowls
This Fall Leaves Bowl is a fun, simple and affordable craft for the autumn season.
Print (no photos)
Makes: 1 Bowl
Supplies
- Leaves without plastic stems
- Balloon
- Mixing bowl
- Mod Podge
- Foam brushes
Instructions
- Blow up your balloon and place it in a mixing bowl. Using your sponge brush, apply an even layer of Mod Podge to the area you'll be working on. Apply a leaf, then apply Mod Podge over it. Using the same technique, apply another leaf overlapping the first one.
- Continue layering the leaves until you've got the height of the bowl you'd like. The bowl will spread out a bit, so go a bit taller than you think you want (you need a lot more leaves than what are shown in this picture). You may have to babysit the leaves to make sure they stick. Have patience – it will work!
- Allow the leaves to dry completely – overnight works. Carefully pop the balloon. I like to make a small cut by the stem and let the air out slowly. Trim any excess Mod Podge from the edges of the bowl. Now you have a pretty decoration for Fall or Thanksgiving!
Hi Chrystal, I tried making this bowl…I followed the instructions …I popped the balloon and my bowl immediately scribbled up🤗 (the only thing I didn’t use was the bowl) ????( HELP !!)
Hi Valerie, I’m sorry you had some challenges. Can you explain what you mean by “scribbled up” so I can try to help?
TIP: I found that once leaves are in place ,put plastic wrap over piece. This keeps leaves adhered down and you won’t have to keep pressing them back into place. keep it in place for a several hours, then, carefully remove to let piece finish drying.
Thanks for sharing a tip that worked for you! Just make sure the plastic wrap doesn’t get glued to the bowl!
Can you use real leaves to make this?
Good question Heidi. You can use real leaves, but I’m not sure it will last for more than a season. Dried leaves can crack and break and if they aren’t fully dried out and “green” leaves can grow mold instead.
I tried this years ago! I used glue because ModPodge was not a thing at the time. I still have that bowl. It is a little shabby so, I just call it shabby chic. I am going to make another one using the ModPodge. Let’s see if it can last at least 50 years like the first one.