Fun game for hiking kids: Leaf Crown

Maple leaves are particularly good for
making leaf crowns. Photo courtesy of
Minnesota DNR.

Generally, exploring and discovery is enough for kids, but sometimes even they can grow bored with that and become restless. Remember that they naturally have shorter attention spans than adults.

Fortunately, there are lots of tried and true activities you can do on the trail that’ll keep kids from getting bored. Among them is Leaf Crown.

Collect a dozen or so leaves along the trail. Only select leaves that are clean and have stems. Don’t use those with holes or that are dry and brittle. Maple leaves are particularly ideal.

Fold one leaf in half. Bring a second leaf’s stem to the first leaf’s top (or the end opposite of the stem). Weave the first stem’s leaf into the second leaf.

Fold the second leaf. Bring a third leaf’s stem to the second leaf’s top. Weave the third stem’s leaf into the second leaf.

Keep repeating until you have weaved enough leaves to encircle your child’s head. With the last leaf, fold it in half. Bring the stem of the very first leaf used in making the crown to the last leaf’s top. Weave the stem into the last leaf.

Place on head.

While making the leaf marks a good time to talk with your child about how leaves work by using photosynthesis. You may want to read up on the subject before hitting the trail.

Materials: Dozen leaves

Ages: 3 and up

Learn about more than a hundred other hiking diversions for kids in Hikes with Tykes: Games and Activities.