Make these simple rattles with your kids for a special newborn or toddler within minutes! These smiling leaves can’t wait to do a little shimmy and bring smiles to everybody’s faces.

This project is simple and cheap! On your next nature walk, pick up a few leaves that catch your eye. Make sure you have some popsicle sticks and vintage buttons, and you’re ready to craft! Your children will enjoy playing with stickers and threading buttons. Believe me – you’ll want to make more than one!

• Leaves
• Round stickers
• Popsicle sticks
• Cord, ribbon or baker’s twine
• Scissors
• Hot glue gun

Step 1
Take some round stickers in different colors and sizes. Cut the big ones in a half for the mouth and add two small circles for eyes. Attach stickers to your leaves to make their smiling faces. You can make different faces by changing the stickers and positions.

Step 2
Cut two pieces of twine, around 9 inches long. Thread two buttons on each one of the twine pieces and then tie together the two ends to secure the buttons. Repeat with two more buttons for the other ends of twine.

Step 3
Wrap the twine with the threaded buttons around the wood stick and then tie a double knot.

Step 4
Glue one smiling leaf to the front top of the wood stick. Move and correct the position of the knotted twine if needed, and add some glue to fix it in place.

Step 5
Your baby rattle is ready to shake! You can make different kinds of baby rattles combining different leaves, stickers and buttons.

Enjoy!