My daughter loves to paint and this fun easy fall leaf craft gave her ample time to explore and glop on as much paint as she wanted and use both her brushes and fingers to create. The painter’s tape relief effect is really optional but the effect is so cool and my daughter who is two was amazed by it while I peeled it off. Even though she couldn’t do it herself it was still a fun step for her. Do not miss the paper towel step though, it adds texture and cuts drying time in half which for a 2 year old makes a world of difference.
- Gather your materials. You will need some paper( my favorite!), pencil, paint in your choice of colors, some gold glitter glue, brushes, painter’s tape, paper towel and scissors.
- Start by drawing the outline of some leaves on the paper.
- Next using painter’s tape add veins to the leaves.
- Paint. She started with the brushes
but quickly moved to her hands. 
She didn’t even use a brush with the 2nd one.
- Wash hands. We use the “Hands up!” and freeze with her when her hands are covered. Then I whisked her to the sink to wash up.
- Next grab some paper towel and blot.
See the texture?
- Let dry to the touch and peel the tape off.
- Cut and Display- kids love seeing their art all over the house. I added hers to our fall mantle.
Fall Board Book
Leaves
Maro says
Very nice idea! I liked that you soaked the paint and it left a nice texture on the leaf!
Laura E. says
Thanks for the easy and cute idea for fall. I love that the smallest of kids can do it and that it would also be fun for a bigger kid too! 🙂
Vanessa Moeller says
My kids and I will be doing this fun craft tomorrow!!
Angela says
Painting in a white shirt, you are an awesomely relaxed mama! This is a great craft. I really like the idea of creating the leaf veins with a resist method.
admin says
Thanks – I have my helicopter moments too 😛
Tammy says
Fantastic idea! I’m going to do this with my 2-year old daughter too! But definitely not going to be wearing a white t-shirt LOL
Stephanie says
That’s great, but how do I keep my dogs from eating the paint? …and the tape? …and the paper?
admin says
That I have no clue about 😛 I am good with kids , sparkles and playdough 🙂
Lenae Madonna says
Beautiful!
I just love how you allow your kids to be kids while teaching them so much. Fabulous site!
sherry says
great idea…did you use finger paint? Another fun autumn book is “Blue Burt and Wiggles” by Derek Anderson. We love how the two characters try so desperately to keep summer alive so that Blue Burt doesn’t have to fly south for the winter. Check it out if you haven’t already!!
Allison McDonald says
Thanks for the rec! The paintings were easel paintings that my daughter makes. She is a very prolific painter 🙂
Stacy @Stacy Makes Cents says
We made these this week and they are so much fun! 🙂
Angelina@Easter Ideas says
great ideas i am going to implement on my 3 year old son