👉 I’ve included a leaf template below to make this activity even simpler to assemble! Fall is so colorful, so I always want to add more of it to our classroom. We are lucky to have huge windows and I love being able to display the children’s artwork in them. Especially colorful art work, like a fall leaf suncatcher. This activity is not only easy and fun, but it’s also a great way to work on those fine motor skills, getting the hands and fingers ready for future writing.
How to Make a Colorful Leaf Suncatcher with Toddlers
I showed them how to take one tissue paper square at a time, as some of the children wanted to put a handful on top. Tissue paper squares Contact (sticky) paper Construction paper Leaf template (available below) Cut a leaf shape from the construction paper. I used an X-acto knife so that I didn’t have to cut from the side of the paper to get to the leaf shape. You could also poke a hole with scissors to get the shape started and then cut the leaf out. I then cut a piece of Contact paper a bit larger than the size of the leaf and placed it sticky side down on one side of the construction paper, completely covering the leaf shape. During circle time I read One Leaf, Two Leaves, Count with Me! (This is a fun book that takes you through the seasons and the counting is a great way to work on simple math skills.) I then invited the children to join me at the art table. I had the sticky leaf paper ready to go as well as shallow containers of colorful tissue paper squares. Just like when we made our rainbow sun catchers, I showed the children how to feel what part was sticky, and to then press the tissue paper onto it. Once the children were finished, I took another piece of Contact paper and covered the tissue paper squares. I would ask who had orange, who had blue, who had purple? It’s their artwork, so I let it be. I then trimmed around the leaf, leaving a bit of construction paper as a trim. We have two windows in our classroom, so I used a hole punch at the top of the leaf so I could hang them on suction cups with hooks. (I love these hooks for displaying art work in our window all year long!) I also created a banner by hanging a rope across one of the windows and securing the leaves using clothespins. I just love how the color shines through these leaves! Free leaf template! Can also be used as a color sheet at your writing center:
One Leaf, Two Leaves, Count with Me We’re Going on a Leaf Hunt Leaves Fletcher and the Falling Leaves There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves! Leaf Man Why Do Leaves Change Color?
More leaf activities:
Circle Time – Leaf Props (Free Printable) Table Activity – Leaf Matching (Free Printable) Art – Watercolor Leaves Art – Sponge Painted Leaves Math – Leaf Count & Clip (Free Printable) More: 25 Leaf Activities for Fall Here is my Privacy Policy
