Fall Toddler Leaf Art {Fun Sponge Painting!}

Inside: This toddler leaf art works fine motor skills as the children use sponges to apply paint. Fun process art for fall!

Sponges replace paint brushes for this hands-on toddler leaf art.

I was thrilled when my co-teacher put together this art activity. You all know by now how I love anything that builds fine motor development. Well, this activity did just that.

Plus, it tied in with our leaf science area.

• While outside, we’ve been observing the various colors in the trees that surround our yard.
• We’ve sung songs about leaves, such as The Leaves on the Tree.
• We’ve read numerous leaf books, such as Leaves! Leaves! Leaves! 

By the time we did this art activity, we were very familiar with what happens to leaves in the fall.

Related: Leaves and Pinecones Activities

Fall Toddler Leaf Art

 Before introducing this activity, we asked the children to bring a leaf to share.

One of the leaves was placed in an acrylic page holder on our science shelf.

(The little guy you see was looking out our window to see if he could find more.)

We had magnifying glasses so the children could see all the details in the leaves.

Supplies

• Sea sponges
• Clothespins
• Red tempera paint
• Yellow tempera paint
• Heavy White paper

Setting It Up

• Pour the red and yellow paint into dishes.
• Clip the clothespins to the sea sponges and have the paper leaves available.

The Activity

After noticing the colors of leaves outdoors, tell the children that they will be painting paper leaves!

Do they notice a third color happening while patting the paint on the leaves?

(As an option, you can also have regular sponges available as shown in the photo above. These are held by hands, not clothespins, for a different fine motor experience.)

When Finished

These leaves make a great display on a classroom tree, or randomly attached to walls.

More Leaf Ideas

• Fall Cardboard Tree
• Fall Leaf Playdough Center
• Leaf Painting in a Baggie

Leaf Books