It’s the weekend, and you’re desperately searching for any way to avoid raking up the thick carpet of leaves that Mother Nature & Sons recently laid in your backyard. We share your dread. Here are some creative ideas for delaying the inevitable (or at least having some fun with the cleanup process).
Start a science experiment. Road-trip with the kids to the hardware store for a roll of chicken wire and a few stakes. Then fence off an area toward the back of your property that’s at least 3-foot square. Dump in plenty of damp leaves. Periodically throughout the winter show the little sprouts how everyone else’s “garbage” has magically turned into your rich, garden-nourishing humus. It’s a life lesson.
Stuff a scarecrow. Pull some old clothes out of the Goodwill bag, sew up the ankles and cuffs, and pack in lots of leaves. Use a plastic pumpkin, painted ball, or mask for the head. Create an entire porch-sitting family.
Send some to “underprivileged” kids. If you have friends in a part of the country where they’re not as blessed as you are, pack a bunch of leaves into a big box and mail it to them. (It won’t cost much because it’s so light.) Label it “Autumn in a Box.”
Create a fall centerpiece or wreath. Get an attractive clear-glass bowl or vase and fill it with the most colorful leaves you can find. Or buy a plain wreath base at the craft store and hot-glue interesting leaves around it. Make sure to stand back afterward and ooh and aah.
Build a campfire. Pick a chilly, starlit night and build a small campfire in the backyard or firepot. Invite the whole family, or just the two of you. Roast marshmallows or hot dogs. Tell ghost stories. The smell of burning leaves makes it extra cozy. (Just make sure to check for any burn restrictions in your area first.)
Guess what we do? argh. Even I get in on the fun. Leaf Wars.
When I was little we would get the colored leaves and put them between wax paper and press them with a iron. They were very pretty. Once they were ironed you could cut out around the and put them on coloered paper and make cards or other decorations. There was something special about being able to share with my children and now my grandaughter . We used this for my sons project at school in the 3rd grade. The teacher loved it.
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