Autumn leaf mobile

Older children will love the challenge of threading beads and leaves onto string to make this unique, one-of-a-kind autumn leaf mobile.  Spend the morning outside collecting leaves and then come inside to make a homemade mobile.

What you need:

• A pile of autumn leaves
• A packet of medium sized coloured wooden beads (available at craft shops and some 2 dollar shops)
• A ball of jute string
• 1 x 100cm piece of 5cm diameter dowel, cut in half
• Scissors
• Glue

Optional:

• a ball bearing swivel (a fishing accessory available in the fishing section of Kmart).

Number of players:
1

Activity:

Take your two pieces of dowel and form a cross shape with them. Put some strong craft glue on them and then secure them by wrapping string around and around in all directions.

Tie a longer string around the middle and if you are using a ball bearing swivel, tie it to the string about 2cm from the top of the mobile. Then add another longer piece of string on the second loop of the ball bearing swivel. This little gadget will allow your mobile to spin freely.

Now make your mobile strings. You will need eight.  Cut eight 80cm lengths of string.

To make each string, start with a knot at the end, then thread one bead on.  Tie another knot about 5cm above. Thread a bead, then a leaf, then another bead. 

Then do it again: a knot at 5cm; bead; leaf; bead.  Keep going until you are almost at the top of the string. Then finish with four beads in a row.  Make sure you leave enough string length at the top to tie it to the dowel when the time comes.

Make eight leafy strings like this.

Tie two strings to each criss-cross of the dowel. Slide them along so the cross balances itself out.

Hang it somewhere where the wind will blow it and you can hear the leaves rustling.

• Thanks to our sister company Kidspot Australia for creating the instructional video.