Autumn Leaf Activities For Kids

Watching leaves fall from the trees is a fascinating activity for most children. Trees seem so strong and unmoving. It is amazing that they are subject to the whims of the sun. Playing with and watching leaves in fall can start many different wonderful discussions about things such as seasons, change the cycle of death and rebirth, and even more imminent changes such as losing baby teeth. While you go through these leaf-themed activities, be sure to listen to your child’s questions and stay open to talking to your little one about all the changes that are occurring in her life.

Leaf Stained Windows

These pretty little decorations are just the thing to decorate your windows for autumn celebrations. You and your child can sort the sealed leaves by color or shape or size. Finally, they are also a lovely reminder of the changing seasons.

Equipment:

• Leaves
• Wax paper
• Iron
• Ironing board
• Marker
• Safety scissors
• Hole punch
• Ribbon

Method:

1. Go outside with your child and choose some of the most colorful leaves you can find. For this activity, try to choose leaves that are still soft and malleable. Stiff or dry leaves will shatter in the process.
2. Place the leaves between two sheets of waxed paper. Leave lots of room between leaves.
3. Turn on the iron and put it on low.
4. Place the sheets of wax paper on the ironing board, or other heat-safe surface.
5. Gently iron the waxed paper. This melts the wax and seals the two sheets together around the leaf. You will see that it has melted when the paper becomes more transparent.
6. Draw a line around the leaves, leaving a wide margin of sealed paper. For complex leaves, such as Maple or Hickory, just draw a simple arch around the leaf. Don’t try to trace around the edges of the leaf.
7. Let your child cut around the shapes with safety scissors.
8. Talk about the different shapes.
9. Punch a hole on one side and thread a ribbon through the hole.
10. Hang the colorful leaves in the window.

Leaf Rubbings

This activity can help your child learn to identify different leaves. You can also use them to discuss different traits of the leaves such as “large” and “small,” “smooth” and “bumpy,” etc.

Equipment:

Method:

1. Choose leaves that have interesting patterns. For this activity, color doesn’t matter. Some dry leaves are perfect for this activity, while others will break if they are too brittle. Use your best judgment.
2. Center a leaf on a sheet of paper. Make sure that the smooth side is facing up, away from the paper. Tape the leaf lightly in place.
3. Turn the paper over and place on a hard surface such as a kitchen table.
4. Remove any paper from the crayons. Discard.
5. Show your child how to rub the widest side of the crayon over the leaf. Press hard enough to bring out the detail of the leaf. It may take a little practice. If a leaf breaks, don’t worry about it, or let your child get upset. Instead, show him how this adds more interest to the rubbing.
6. Keep rubbing until you can see the entire leaf on the paper.
7. Turn the paper over and cut the tape. Discard the leaf.
8. If you know the name of the tree the leaf comes from, write the name on the top of the paper. Collect different leaves in your three-ring binder.

Collecting Chlorophyll

Trying to explain the chemicals behind the color change of autumn leaves can be tough to little minds. But you can show them how the leaves change color by extracting the chlorophyll from leaves in your yard. For this activity, choose leaves that are still green and non-toxic.

Equipment:

• Green leaves
• Spoon
• Small clear container (such as a baby food jar) with a lid
• Alcohol (Use grain alcohol from the liquor store. This lacks the toxins of rubbing alcohol. Although it is important that you keep the
• alcohol out of your child’s reach.)
• Plastic wrap
• Coffee filter
• Scissors
• Tape

Method:

1. Choose your leaves. There are a lot of toxic leaves that grow in most backyards, so choose wisely. A few leaves that are common and safe to choose are maple leaves, oak leaves, tomato leaves and most grasses. If you don’t recognize the leaves, “leave” them be.
2. Show your child how to shred the leaves into the small clear container. Tear the leaves into little pieces and push them into the jar.
3. Use the spoon to grind the leaves into a paste.
4. Add another layer of shredded leaves and grind them into a paste as well. Continue until the jar is ¼ filled with leaf paste.
5. Pour enough alcohol into the container until the container is about a third full. Stir the alcohol into the leaf paste.
6. Cover the container with plastic wrap then put on the lid to form a tight seal.
7. Leave the container out of your child’s reach for about an hour. Shake the container every fifteen minutes or so to make sure that the alcohol reaches every tiny particle of leaf. The alcohol should start to turn green. Every time you shake the jar, the alcohol should be a darker green until it reaches a deep, dark green color.
8. Cut the coffee filter into strips about an inch wide.
9. Open the container. Remove the plastic wrap and discard.
10. Place one end of the coffee filter strip in the green alcohol. Tape the dry end of the filter to the side of the jar.
11. Watch the filter draw the green liquid up.
12. Leave the filter in place with the lid off for about an hour. The alcohol will dry, and the filter will show bands of green and yellow color.
13. Show your child how the chemicals that make the leaf green separate, leaving the yellow band. This is what happens to leaves in the fall. The green chlorophyll “dries” up, leaving the yellow color behind.