In this art activity, you and your child use leaves as “reverse stencils” — painting over them, then removing them from the paper to reveal the unique leaf shapes left behind! Leaves are great for exploring shapes and patterns. The Bay Area has a great diversity of native and non-native trees that thrive here, making it a prime place for leaf study.
(Note: Don’t pick leaves directly from plants or trees! Fallen leaves collected from the ground work great, as long as they’re not too dry or crumbly. Please ask for permission to collect from private property [that’s not your own], and remember: no collecting is permitted in regional parks. Here’s a list of endangered plants in CA that may not be collected.)
As you gather fallen leaves, look closely at their shapes, sizes, colors, and textures. Point out holes, different-colored patches, and interesting vein patterns. Ask, “How do the leaves feel in your hand — smooth, sticky, sharp, papery? How do they smell? When you walk over a patch of leaves, or when you squeeze a dried leaf in your hand, what does it sound like?” Encourage your child to compare the leaves you’ve gathered to find similarities and differences.
