Learn about Leaves with Leaf Art

Turning leaves into art makes children much more aware of the shapes of the leaves. For children eight or ten years old and older, this awareness can be a first step toward learning to identifying the trees around you. Is it necessary to know the types of trees in your area? No, but learning their names is like learning the name of a person you walk by every day.

Leaf Rubbings
Materials: paper and crayons

Set a leaf on a table, vein side up. Cover with a piece of photocopy or lightweight drawing paper. Peel the paper off a crayon. Lay the crayon on its side and rub over the paper. The texture of the leaf will appear.

Leaf Silhouettes
Materials: paper, paint, and brush

This time, set the leaf on top of a sheet of watercolor paper construction paper will work as well). Dip the brush in paint (it doesn’t matter whether it is watercolors, poster paints, tempera paints, etc). Hold the leaf in place with one hand. Brush the paint from the edge of the leaf and onto the paper. If you start on the leaf and paint outward, you will get a crisp silhouette when you pick up the leaf. Replace the brush for a sponge for a different look.

Leaf Printing
Materials: paper, paint, brush, scrap paper

On scrap paper, paint the vein side of a leaf (use poster paint or tempera, watercolors will be too light). Keep the layer of paint thin. Lift the leaf and set it on top of construction paper or another paint that will hold up to paint. Place the painted side onto the paper. Cover with more scrap paper and then run your hand over the paper. When you remove the scrap paper and the leaf, the impression of the leaf will remain on the paper.

These are fun projects to do with kids whether you collect your leaves in your backyard or on a nature walk.