Instead of just telling your kids to rake up the leaves ...

Instead of just telling your kids to rake up the leaves this Fall (which sounds like a chore that they don’t want to do), make it an adventure for them. It will require some of your involvement, but does involve quality time with them that is well worth it.

First, let me take you back to times when my kids and grandkids were young (approximately 4 years to 10 years of age). We had lots of leaves to remove from the yard. We would take a rake and create “rooms”, “roads”, “lakes”, etc. by raking back leaves and using our imaginations. The areas where the grass was visible was raked to the shape of a “room”, “road”, etc. We would then pretend to do various activities in those areas (e.g. drive a car from one house to another, ride a bicycle from a house to a lake to go fishing, cook food in the kitchen of the house). Children really get into these imaginary activities, and mine still remember them to this day.

Sometimes we would rake the leaves into large piles, then run/jump into them. (Note: you might skip this activity if your child has a severe leaf mold allergy.) Pets also seemed to enjoy this, jumping into and hiding in the leaves. Then, after the fun times, I would assist the kids in removing the leaves and placing them where I wanted them. I even had a cat who would watch me rake leaves onto a large tarp, then sit on the tarp while I attempted to drag it to my garden. 

Alas, I didn’t take photos, but at least the scenes are burned into my brain’s visual memories!

For teenagers, have them help you rake the leaves and connect it to a reward that involves you being with them (e.g. going to their favorite ice cream shop, having a special movie night at home with popcorn and candy, attending a football game or concert).

One activity I never did with my kids, but may do with my grandchild, is taking leisurely walks through areas where leaves have changed colors.  We can talk about the wonder of God’s creation and about why the leaves are changing color (see my Blog Post “The Changing of the Colors” from 10/2/2026). We can collect leaves of different color and size to use in making decorations around the house. 

A favorite decoration idea I recently came across is the creation of leaf placemats. Place the leaves between two pieces of paper and sandwich them between the pages of a book for about a week.  This allows them to dry, but still allows the colors to be seen in the leaves.  After purchasing Duck Brand EasyLiner Adhesive Laminate (12 in. x 10 ft. Clear Shelf Liner) at a store like Walmart (less than $4.00), cut a piece of the roll to the desired length for a placemat. Remove the paper and lay the clear piece with the adhesive side facing up. Then have your kid/grandchild place their preferred leaves onto it. Next cut another piece of the laminate the same size and place it over the leaves. Firmly press to make it flat. Once you’ve got any air bubbles out, cut any exposed adhesive edges. Voila, you have a placemat to use from now through Thanksgiving!

Similar to this is the creation of a four or five-foot runner to go down the center of your table showing a variety of leaves. Another alternative is to cut out individual leaves once they are laminated. Then place a tiny hole near the edge of each leaf, and string them up with fishing line to decorate the entryway of your house. 

I’m sure there are many other crafts like these that can involve quality time to spend with your children/grandchildren, but this is intended to get you started. Enjoy!

By the way, Greenbush wants to assist you in keeping your trees healthy. Sometimes there are signs on the leaves that help to determine the health of a tree (e.g. insect or fungal damage). If you see dead leaves on branches, curled up leaves, partially eaten leaves, or black spots on leaves, contact us for a free inspection and consultation: greenbushpros@outlook.com or 937-787-4490