Craft Basket

Contact Paper Collage

A sticky sheet becomes a canvas for tissue paper, petals, and leaves — no glue needed.

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Ages 1.5+5 min prep

Contact paper is the cheapest craft supply in my house and the one I would never give up. One sticky sheet taped to a window turns any collection of leaves into an activity.

We go for a walk first, which is honestly the real activity. Everything they pick up has a job waiting for it at home, so even the boring part of the walk becomes a treasure hunt.

My toddler can do it entirely on her own, which is rare and precious. She presses, she peels things off, she presses again, and nothing can go wrong.

Sticky side out on the window, pressing on the morning walk finds

The finished collage with light coming through the leaves

The walk basket: leaves, petals, feathers and pods waiting to be stuck down

What you'll need

Clear contact paper
Painter's tape
Torn tissue paper in soft colors
Dried flowers, petals, or small leaves
Optional: a window or light box for display

How to make it

1
Cut a square of contact paper and peel off the backing.
2
Tape it sticky-side up to a table or window.
3
Invite your child to press tissue pieces and petals onto the sticky surface.
4
When finished, cover with a second sheet of contact paper to seal.
5
Hang it in a sunny window to catch the light.

Tip

This one is beautifully open-ended — even toddlers can join in.