Paper Towel Leaf Art for Kids

Transform simple paper towels into colorful fall leaves with this easy paper towel leaf art for kids project! It’s a fun and creative way to bring autumn indoors using supplies you already have on hand.

Table of Contents:

1. What is paper towel leaf art?
2. Why try paper towel leaf art for kids?
3. Materials
4. How to make paper towel leaf art
5. Fun ways to display or use your paper towel leaves
6. After you make paper towel leaf art, try this fun scavenger hunt game
7. Preschool science Why do leaves change colors?
8. Leaf-Themed Storytime Ideas
9. Frequently Asked Questions

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What is paper towel leaf art?

Let’s talk about an autumn craft that’s as simple as it is stunning: paper towel leaf art for kids!

Preschoolers love watching the colors blend and spread on the paper towels—talk about some serious preschool art magic!

Plus, the finished leaves look so vibrant hanging in the window, catching the light just right.

Why try paper towel leaf art for kids?

This paper towel leaf art for kids is perfect for bringing a little autumn indoors without needing a ton of supplies.

Not only is this a fantastic preschool leaf craft, but it also sneaks in a bit of fine motor skill practice (we love a two for one).

And did I mention it’s a no-fail preschool fall activity? Every leaf turns out uniquely beautiful, just like the real thing!

We LOVE Fall preschool activities! Don’t miss these superstars:

• Fall Tree Art for Preschoolers with a Paper Towel Tube
• Marker and Foil Prints – Fall Art Activity
• Warm Tea Fall Sensory Table
• Fall Leaf Cutting Bin

Materials

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• Paper towels
• Watercolor paints or diluted paint
• Paintbrushes
• A cup of water
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Plastic or newspaper – to protect your workspace

How to make paper towel leaf art

1. Lay down some plastic or newspaper to protect your workspace as the paints will bleed through the paper towels.
2. Grab your paper towels and let your little ones go wild with the watercolor paints. The more color, the better!
3. Let the painted paper towels dry completely.
4. Once dry, use a pencil to sketch out leaf shapes on the paper towels.
5. Carefully cut out the leaf shapes.
6. Hang the finished leaves on the wall or in a window using string or clear tape for a stunning stained-glass effect.

Fun ways to display or use your paper towel leaves

Once your leaves are complete, there are so many fun ways to display and enjoy them.

• Tape them onto windows to catch the sunlight.
• Attach them to a wreath form for a colorful autumn door decoration.
• Glue them onto a piece of construction paper to make a beautiful fall collage.
• Scatter them on the Thanksgiving table for a festive touch.
• Hang them from the ceiling with fishing line for a floating leaf effect.

After you make paper towel leaf art, try this fun scavenger hunt game

Instead of going on a normal leaf-collecting leaf hunt, switch things up by challenging kids to find the items below.

• Find a leaf that’s bigger than your hand
• Look for a leaf with more than three colors
• Spot a leaf that’s shaped like a heart
• Discover a leaf that’s still green
• Collect a leaf that’s longer than your foot

Can you find all 5?

Preschool science: Why do leaves change colors?

Explore the science behind the changing colors of leaves with this simple explanation.

• Chlorophyll gives leaves their green color by helping the plant absorb sunlight.
• As days get shorter and cooler, chlorophyll breaks down, revealing other pigments.
• The yellow and orange colors were in the leaves all along but were hidden by the green.
• Red and purple colors are created from sugars trapped in the leaves.
• Different trees have different pigments, which is why maple leaves turn red while oaks turn brown.

While you make your leaves, it’s the perfect time to learn some “unbe-leaf-able” leaf facts!

Leaf-Themed Storytime Ideas

Incorporate this craft into a storytime session by reading some leaf-themed books with your kids before or after crafting.

• “Leaf Man” by Lois Ehlert: Follow the Leaf Man on his journey as he flies wherever the wind takes him.
• “We’re Going on a Leaf Hunt” by Steve Metzger: Join a group of kids on a leaf hunt through the woods and see what adventures they find.
• “Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf” by Lois Ehlert: Learn about the life cycle of a tree, starting from the leaf’s perspective.
• “Little Tree” by Loren Long: One of my most favorite books of all. Actually, after some thinking, it’s a top 10 of all-time. A sweet tree doesn’t want to let go of its leaves until it’s finally ready.\

Frequently Asked Questions