🍁 Welcome to the Lab!
It’s getting cozy in the Curiosity Club Lab, Babe & Bug are crafting something magical!
They’re turning autumn leaves into glowing lanterns that bring a bit of nature’s sparkle inside. 🍂✨
This project mixes art, light, and science to show how natural materials can glow when light shines through — just like a mini nature experiment! 🌟
🧠 What You’ll Need:
- Clean glass jars (recycled jam or mason jars work great!)
- PVA glue or Mod Podge
- A brush or sponge
- Dried or pressed autumn leaves (thin ones work best)
- Tea light candle or LED light (for glow!)
- String or twine (optional for decorating)
- Glitter, stickers, or tissue paper (optional for extra sparkle!)
🔬 Step-by-Step Science + Art
Step 1: Collect Your Leaves 🍂
Head outside and gather thin, colorful leaves. Red, orange, yellow — the more variety, the better!
Step 2: Prep Your Jar
Wash and dry your glass jar completely so the glue sticks well.
Step 3: Glue the Magic
Brush a layer of glue on the outside of the jar. Gently press your leaves flat against the glue, smoothing out any bumps.
Step 4: Add Shine ✨
Once the leaves are on, brush another thin layer of glue or Mod Podge over them to seal everything in place. You can even add a sprinkle of glitter!
Step 5: Let It Glow!
When it’s dry, place a tea light or LED candle inside. Turn off the lights and watch your nature-made lantern glow in warm fall colors. 🍁
💡 Babe’s Science Fact:
“Light can shine through thin leaves because they’re translucent — that means some light passes through while some bounces back, making that beautiful glow!”
🍂 Bug’s Giggle Note:
“It’s like my leaf is holding sunshine inside!” ☀️
🍁 Try This Twist:
- Add tiny pressed flowers for a garden lantern look 🌸
- Paint over the glue with a clear shimmer for extra glow ✨
- Make a set of three for a fall window display!
📓 Keep Exploring!
Download your Curiosity Club Art + Science Journal Page to draw your lantern, write what colors of leaves you used, and describe how it looked when you turned off the lights.
👉 Click here to download your Leaf Lantern Journal Page and keep your curiosity glowing!