While summer is great for student-led play and creativity, we know there are times when your kiddos get bored and come looking for a more structured activity to keep them entertained. Enter this awesome boredom buster idea from Erica over at Confessions of a Homeschooler! Not only will it get you and your littles outside for some fresh air and keep them occupied for a good amount of time, it's also a great way to mix a little bit of science and art!

Materials

leaves

flower petals

twigs

berries

small recycled containers [to collect materials in]

clear contact paper

Creating Your Own Leaf Art

Armed with small recycled containers, invite your kiddos to explore the yard for materials they can use in their projects - e.g. leaves, petals, twigs, berries, seeds, and anything else they might find! If you're looking to enrich the experience, you might consider 1) having your kiddos identify the types of trees, flowers, etc. that their materials came from, 2) inviting your kiddos to compare the different types of leaves collected, 3) exploring the materials up close with a magnifying glass, etc.

Once they've collected their materials, the creating can begin! Each of your kiddos will need two sheets of contact paper cut to the same size. Starting with one piece, sticky side up, invite your kiddos to use their collected materials to create a picture and, when finished, the second piece of contact paper goes sticky side down over the design in order to preserve it!

Check out these awesome examples done by Erica and her kiddos!

Fun, simple, and cheap... what more could you ask for in a summer boredom buster!?