Tots! Activity: Fall Leaf Paintings
As Cheekwood’s Tots program is temporarily suspended, we are sharing today’s activity for parents and tots to activate at home. Use our files to create your own fall leaf paintings, then share your work with us by tagging @cheekwood on Instagram and using #cheekwoodtots!
Here’s what you’ll need:• Leaf template *See template below
• Large Zip top plastic bag
• White cardstock
• Paint in red, orange, yellow, brown, green
• Scissors
• Pencil
Maple Leaf Template Oak Leaf Template
Directions:1. Place the white cardstock paper in the large zip top bag.
2. Squeeze paint onto the white paper in the bag and seal it tight.
3. Squish the paint around with your fingers to cover the whole piece of paper.
4. Remove the painted paper from the bag and set aside to dry. You can cut the bag open if needed to help remove the paper.
5. While the painting dries, print out the leaf template and cut it out.
6. Once the paper is dry, trace the leaf on the back of the painting and cut the leaf out.
7. Optional: Create several leaves, hole punch them and hang on string to create a fall leaf garland.
Try pairing the activity with one of these books:
Fletcher and the Falling leaves by Julia Rawlinson
Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn by Kenard Pak
Leaves by David Ezra Stein
Ask your explorer: • What happens to leaves in the fall? What colors do they turn?
• How do trees look different now than they did in the summer?
• What did we do to the paint to make a colorful leaf?
