Color Tree Leaf Prints

• 1.

  In temperate climates, take frequent walks outdoors as the leaves change. Closely observe leaf colors. Provide each child with a lunch bag to collect samples of fallen, nonpoisonous leaves.

• 2.

  Study different leaf shapes and characteristics, including vein and edge patterns as well as textures. Notice variations in colors even within a leaf.

• 3.

  Adapt the activity to children's skills. Painting the leaves may be sufficient challenge for the most adept 3-year-olds. If they want leaves cut out, an adult does the cutting. Art projects with children ages 3 and younger always require close adult super

• 4.

  Cover your work area with recycled newspaper. Put on a Crayola® Art Smock. Choose Crayola® Washable Tempera Paint in fall colors: red, yellow, brown, and orange.

• 5.

  With Crayola® So Big® Brushes, lightly paint the back of a leaf. Turn the leaf over on construction paper. Gently press to make a print of the leaf shape and its veins.

• 6.

  Make several leaf prints with different colors and shapes. Dry overnight.

• 7.

  On mural paper (or a white paper tablecloth), use Crayola® Washable Markers to sketch a tree with four sprawling branches. Label each branch with one fall color.

• 8.

  With Crayola® Scissors, cut out each leaf print. Write your name on the back.

• 9.

  Use Crayola® Glue Sticks to attach print to the branch for that color.

Benefits

• Reading Pictures
• Vocabulary
• Physical: Eye - Hand Coordination
• Social & Emotional: Flexibility
• Thinking: Creating
• Thinking: Observing
• Thinking: Understanding Concepts