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Paint Leaves

autumn activity for kids paint leaves

To celebrate Autumn, the younger children and I went to one of our favourite exploring spots for a rainbow leaf hunt. We also collected dry leaves to later paint and hang in the kitchen (we did this last year with maple leaves).

I love doing this sort of activity with the children because it has value and meaning. It’s not just about a craft to fill the time. No, it’s more than that.   It’s about taking the time to notice around us (it’s Autumn and leaves are changing).  It’s about exploring and spending time as a family.  It’s about doing a mini project together that adds joy to the house we all live in.  And I feel good about it…long after the paint dries.

Materials

Paint ( I used child-friendly acrylic paint)

Paint brushes (small brushes work best)

Leaves

String (I use Divine Twine)

Painting Leaves

1. We looked for already dry leaves that were quite flat (ie. not too curled) to make painting easy.

autumn activity kids -- paint leaves

2. Simple designs seem to work best, like lines and dots.

autumn activity kids -- paint leaves

autumn activity kids -- paint leaves

3. Allow to dry

autumn activity kids -- paint leaves

4. The easiest way to hang the leaves, so they sit flat against the wall, is to thread string on to a large needle, and then starting from the unpainted side, thread the needle up through, and then back down again  on the same leaf.  Repeat until all the leaves are on the string. Hang and then space the leaves apart as desired!

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How cute do these look!?   I enjoy seeing the leaves in my kitchen everyday.  They bring colour into the house as we celebrate nature in the home with good memories attached.

autumn activity kids -- paint leaves to hang

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A beautiful Autumn activity Paint Leaves

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11 Comments

  • Reply
    Elise @ Creative Play Central
    May 8, 2013 at 12:11 pm

    I can see why you are still enjoying these long after the paint dries. They are gorgeous and I love how you have them displayed for everyone to appreciate.

    • Reply
      Kelly Be A Fun Mum
      May 10, 2013 at 6:11 pm

      I think that is one of the best things about it…that they are enjoyed for so long after the activity.

  • Reply
    Kate - An Everyday Story
    May 8, 2013 at 7:30 pm

    These are lovely 🙂 We’ve tried painting leaves with my littles but they were a bit heavy-handed and pushed the paint brush straight through the leaf 🙁 Maybe we’ll try again next year.

  • Reply
    Kylie @ Octavia and Vicky
    May 9, 2013 at 6:18 am

    Such pretty leaves! My daughter would love this activity, although at three years old I suspect that her painting will result in the usual squelchy, hands-covered, everything-goes-to-brown mess. Which is lots of fun too! 🙂

  • Reply
    Renee @ Adventuresathomewithmum
    May 9, 2013 at 12:47 pm

    what a neat idea.
    they are so pretty.
    This reminds me of the intricate aboriginal art designs you see on natural materials 🙂

  • Reply
    Jode
    May 9, 2013 at 3:28 pm

    Your patterns are so lovely…i would want to always display them! I did try something similar with my girls but they covered them in paint and they weren’t quite salvageable…the experience was great though…thanks for sharing x

  • Reply
    Kate Lloyd
    May 9, 2013 at 10:16 pm

    Wow! They look so beautiful. I’m keen to do this myself!
    I love this time of year when the leaves are changing. It’s a great time for children to observe simple changes in the environment.

  • Reply
    Nathalie Brown
    May 11, 2013 at 8:10 am

    I’m a big fan of painting leaves and really anything that combines the outdoors with crafts. The designs are nothing short of awesome.

  • Reply
    stephanie
    May 11, 2013 at 2:15 pm

    So gorgeous! Putting this on my list for the fall. 🙂

  • Reply
    Kelly
    May 11, 2013 at 8:43 pm

    They look so pretty! Love the colours and that you made them into a banner 🙂 very Autumn festive!

  • Reply
    Mess Free Zip Lock Bag Painting
    August 12, 2013 at 12:31 pm

    […] Paint Leaves […]

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