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As peak foliage fades and the last brilliant leaves drift from the trees, bring a bit of autumn’s magic indoors. This cozy fall leaf garland is a wonderful way to celebrate the season’s color, no matter the weather. Whether little hands are learning to thread or older kids are perfecting patterns and designs, this craft can be easily customized for every skill level.

Lacing Card Leaves strung into a garland to decorate for fall.

Gather Your Materials for the Leaf Lacing Cards

Cardboard box
Yarn in fall colors
Safe cutting tool or scissors
Blunt tapestry needle for threading
Pointed tool to punch holes in cardboard (knitting needle, pencil etc.)

Cardboard leaves and yarn for a lacing card project.

Design and Decorate Your Leaf Lacing Cards

Draw a few leaf shapes on your cardboard box and use your cutting tool or scissors to cut them out. Use a pencil to sketch out your pattern and mark where you want to punch hole in your leaves. You can keep the pattern simple for younger children and add complexity for children who have a bit more dexterity.

Cardboard leaves with pencil drawings for lacing card project.

Punch Holes in Your Leaf Lacing Cards

Once you've created your pattern, you can use your tool to punch out the holes. We used a Makedo Cardboard Construction system tool to make holes, but a metal knitting needle or pencil could work as well. You'll want to make sure your holes are large enough for younger children who are learning and practicing lacing.

A child punches holes in a cardboard leaf.

Sew Your Leaf Lacing Cards

Thread your tapestry needle with your choice of thread. We used yarn, but embroidery floss also works for more intricate patterns. Make a slip knot on the back side of your project to hold the yarn in place, and start threading! Mix and match colors for extra fun.

Red yarn laced through a hole in a cardboard leaf.

A child lacing red yarn through the leaf shaped cardboard lacing card.

Create Your Lacing Cards Leaf Garland

When your leaves are fully decorated, create a garland to hang them from by doing a single crochet finger-knit chain. Tie your leaves onto it with extra scraps of yarn at equal distances, and hang in a window, across a door frame or above your fireplace.

We hope your season is filled with engaging fun and heaps of family laughter and love, and a few crafternoons spent together. Share your play, crafts, reading, learning or anything magical with us on Instagram @bellalunatoys and use our hashtag #bellalunatoys for a chance to be featured on our feed or stories. Happy crafting!