Today I want to share 5 leaf arts and crafts for kids that are easy to teach. Using leaves for art projects is a great way to integrate science and art. Studying leaves helps children learn about seasons and why they occur year-round. Leaves exist in a variety of sizes, from tiny to large, and come in a wide array of colors, from green to brown to orange.
Easy Leaf Ideas
One of the easiest ways to generate art project ideas is to connect them to the different seasons. If you’re fortunate enough to reside in a region that experiences autumn with leaves falling, consider yourself lucky! Here in San Diego, we may not have the picturesque fall trees, but leaves still surround us. I’m excited to share three simple leaf art activities that my art students adore.
If obtaining leaves locally proves challenging, another option is to purchase leaves online. I have personally ordered pressed leaves online before, and it can be a convenient solution for ensuring you have a variety of leaves for your art projects.
Leaf Crayon Rubbing
Check out the video above for full details, or follow the instructions below.
Simple Steps:
- Place the leaf facing down, with the vein side up.
- Put white paper on top of the leaf.
- Securely hold the paper and leaf to prevent any movement.
- Use a crayon to rub over the leaf area.
- The impression of your leaf should appear on the paper!
Leaf Pressing
Pressing leaves is a wonderful way to teach children how botanists preserve specimens. This activity can lead to many different types of art projects down the road, such as leaf painting (see Idea #3 below). You can also encourage children to brainstorm their own ideas for using their pressed leaves once they’re finished.
Simple Steps:
- Gently wipe off any dirt from the leaf.
- Place the leaf between sheets of newspaper or within the pages of a book.
- Insert a note card detailing the date collected and any information about the leaf, in a secure place for future reference.
- Stack some heavy books on top of the leaves and press for 1 to 24 hours.
Leaf Painting
Encourage your students to use leaves as a canvas and unleash their creativity with paint.
Simple Steps:
- Press the leaves first as they are easier to paint when flattened.
- Choose vibrant paint colors—acrylic, tempera, gouache, or craft paint are all suitable.
- Paint the leaf using a paintbrush in your desired manner.
- Allow it to dry, then use the decorated leaves to embellish note cards or other art projects.
Clay Leaf Fossils
Demonstrate to children how fossils are formed by embedding leaves into wet clay!
Simple Steps:
- Roll out a flat slab of clay using a rolling pin. Opt for air-dry model clay (which sets overnight) or white polymer clay (requires baking to harden).
- Position the leaf, veins facing downward, onto the clay and press it gently but firmly either by hand or with a rolling pin.
- Delicately remove the leaf by pulling it from the stem.
- Proceed to bake or allow it to air dry.
Optional: Paint Fossil
To enhance the clay leaf fossils project, consider adding a painting step to make the fossils more visually appealing and engaging for children.
Simple Steps:
- Once the clay leaf fossils are baked or dried, provide children with acrylic paints or watercolors in various colors.
- Encourage them to paint the imprinted leaf patterns on the fossils creatively, allowing for artistic expression.
- Let the painted fossils dry completely before displaying or further incorporating them into other art projects.
Understanding how children learn and tailoring projects to their interests can lead to more engaging and enjoyable learning experiences.
Nature Leaf Mandalas
Engage your students in creating their own mandalas using natural or found objects, eliminating the need for any drawing. This activity is a fantastic way to teach symmetry and balance in a hands-on manner. If you’re interested in delving deeper into this concept, I cover it in my drawing curriculum available here.
Simply gather an assortment of leaves in various colors, sizes, and shapes, then begin arranging them from the center outward to craft beautiful mandala art. This activity is not only educational but also a wonderful outdoor experience for students to enjoy.
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