mini oak leaf ghosts: cozy nature press craft for halloween

have you seen the viral oak leaf ghost crafts floating around on instagram? they’re one of those perfectly simple ideas that make you want to drop everything and dig through the craft bin. we first spotted them from the amazing woodlark and they completely stole our hearts—inspiring us to put our own spin on the idea with miniature oak leaf ghosts. made with our trusty little nature press...can you even handle it?

these tiny ghosts are as versatile as they are adorable. let them flutter across your halloween table, float on the front of a handmade card, or simply bring a bit of woodland magic to your october afternoons.

what you'll need for your ghosts

the best thing about this craft is that it starts with a fall nature (swoon). so gather up your nature press, pull on your coziest sweater, and head to your favorite park, trail or leaf finding spot. oak leaves are especially perfect for this project—their wavy edges give them that instant ghost-like shape—but really, any small leaves will do.

if you're pressing your leaves, you'll want to plan ahead, since they'll need a week or two to dry out, depending on how fresh they are. look for leaves that are still a pliable and bendy—if they're already cracked and brittle, they won’t hold up well for painting.

along with your leaves you'll need:

• a nature press or heavy book (if pressing)
• white acrylic or tempura paint 
• black paint, paint pen, or marker (for eyes and a mouth)

why and how to press your leaves

you don't have to press your leaves for this craft— fresh leaves will absolutely work, and they might even be better if you’re crafting with kids who have a hard time handling delicate, dried ones. that said, pressing your leaves does give your little ghosts some staying power. once the moisture is gone, they’ll lie nice and flat, paint easily, and hold their shape all season long (maybe even into future falls).

here's how to use our nature press with your leaves (it comes with everything you'll need and was designed with the smallest hands in mind):

• start with a layer of cardboard on the bottom of your press, then add a sheet of blotting paper
• arrange your leaves on top, making sure they don’t overlap
• add another sheet of blotting paper and another piece of cardboard
• keep layering until your press is full
• place the wooden top on, then secure it with the silicone bands

if you don’t have a nature press, don’t worry—a stack of heavy books works in a pinch. just tuck your leaves between sheets of paper (blotting paper is ideal, but printer paper will do), close them inside a book, and add a few more books on top for extra weight.

depending on your leaves and your climate, pressing usually takes a week or two. you can speed things up by swapping out damp blotting paper daily (just let it dry and reuse it). or if you’re really in a hurry, even a day or two in the press will help your mini ghosts lie a little flatter.

painting your miniature ghost leaves

when your leaves are ready, it’s time for the most magical step — bringing your little ghosts to life. spread your leaves out on a piece of scrap paper or cardboard (something you don’t mind getting messy), and grab your paint and brushes.

start by brushing the entire surface of each leaf with white paint. one coat will give a softer look, letting the leaf’s natural details peek through, while two or three coats will build a solid, bright white. for extra durability, paint both sides of your leaves — just let one side dry fully before flipping to the other.

once your white base is dry, it’s time to add some personality. if you’re using black paint, the handle end of your brush is perfect for tiny dot eyes and a slightly larger dot mouth. if you prefer an easier route, a paint marker or felt-tip marker works beautifully too.

ways to display your miniature ghosts

now that your mini ghosts are painted and dry, the real fun begins—deciding where they’ll float around your home. these tiny oak leaf friends are as versatile as they are charming, and there are so many ways to show them off:

• make a ghostly garland — string a handful together with twine and drape them across a mantel, mirror or bookshelf. if your leaves are small enough you can even tie them between two skewers for the cutest halloween cake topper ever (i highly recommend adding them to the top of a stack of pumpkin cookies).
• use them as gift tags or place markers — write on them with a felt-tip marker and use a glue dot to secure in place for a perfectly festive touch
• create diy cards — glue them to folded cardstock for halloween cards that are equal parts handmade and magical
• hide them for seek-and-find decorating fun — tuck your little ghosts into unexpected corners around your house for a playful seasonal surprise

why we love this easy fall craft

making miniature oak leaf ghosts is more than just a craft — it’s an invitation to slow down, take a walk, and notice the small wonders of autumn. it’s the kind of project that feels just right for cozy family days: simple, playful, and just a little bit magical.

if you’d like to try it yourself, you can find our mini nature press here. it's the perfect little tool for little hands to press their nature collections and make nature inspired crafts all year long.

and if you make your own ghost friends, we’d love to see them! share your creations on instagram and tag us @ohlittlewren so we can celebrate your handmade magic together.

a big thanks to woodlark for inspiring this idea — their beautiful leaf ghosts were too sweet not to try.