In August 2024, I tried the coolest fall craft with my first-grade Chinese students! We took our learning outdoors, where students collected real leaves and used them to build the Chinese character “秋” (qiū), which means autumn/fall.

It’s a simple yet engaging activity that blends art, nature, and Chinese characters into one fun project. Keep reading to grab your free printable template and bring this idea to your Chinese classroom!

Materials You’ll Need:

Colorful fallen leaves

Paper or plastic bags for collecting leaves
A printed outline of the Chinese character "秋" (Free Download at the end!)
Glue
Painting tools (brushes, Q-tips, cotton balls, etc.)
Fall colored paint (yellow, red, orange, and brown)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Go on a Leaf Hunt

Take your students on a nature walk to gather colorful fallen leaves. Encourage them to look closely at the different shapes, sizes, and colors of the leaves on the ground. Give each child a bag to collect their leaves.

2. Build the Character

Hand out the template with the outline of the character “秋.” Have students glue their leaves inside the outline, filling the Chinese character in completely.

If the weather’s nice, bring this step outside and enjoy the crisp fall air. That’s exactly what we did, and it made the activity even more special!

3. Let It Dry

Let the glue dry completely. Overnight works the best, so the project is ready for the final step the next day.

4. Add the Fall Colors

The next day, bring out your fall-colored paints. Using brushes or other tools, students can paint the background of the template, making it as bright and beautiful as the autumn foliage outside.