Colorful Toddler Leaf Art

Inside: Work on fine motor skills while creating colorful toddler leaf art! Squeezing glue is an excellent method of strengthening hands for writing.

Have you invited your toddlers to squeeze glue from a bottle yet?

When I first heard this, I have to admit I was skeptical.

Would glue drip all over, creating one big puddle?

Thankfully I gave it a try with my two year olds and it now is a hit every single year.

We had so much fun using this method while creating colorful toddler leaf art!

Related: 25 Leaf Activities

You might have heard me talk about the benefits of squeezing glue before.

After all, I did a short video talking about it’s benefits on YouTube.

And I have shared a variety of activities that include squeezing glue:

• Gingerbread Collage Art
• Rainbow Art
• Acorn Collage

But the biggest reason I choose this method?

Because it is loved by my two and three year olds every single time I offer it.

Related: The Best Squeezing Activities

Colorful Toddler Leaf Art

Supplies

• Paper cut into a leaf shape (we got our templates from our Fall Tracing Packet)
• Glue in bottles
• Tissue paper squares
• Pom Poms

Preparation

• Cut leaf shapes from paper. I chose yellow construction paper because I wanted bright colors, but you can use whatever colors you wish.
• Place a leaf, bottle of glue, and pom poms/tissue paper squares on a tray for each spot at your art table.

TIP: Refill your squeezable glue bottles from a gallon-sized jug as it’s much more economical.

Leaf Books

Before we started this activity, we had leaf books available to read.

Some suggestions:

Colorful Toddler Leaf Art

Invitation to Create

Our art table is set up during centers time, so children can come and go as they wish.

I had everything set up on the table for when they were ready.

My two and three year olds already had experience squeezing glue, so I only needed to assist when necessary.

They knew how to hold the bottle upside down and squeeze with two hands.

If this is new to your children, make sure to show them how to squeeze the glue first so that they don’t get frustrated and give up.

The children will also need to be reminded to stick the paper and pom poms on glue so that they will stick.

Some will then remove the piece from the glue. I don’t fret about it as they are in the process of learning. I just show them again how the pieces stick to the glue and if they continue to then remove the pieces, that is how it is. I have found this stage usually doesn’t last long and they quickly get the hang of leaving the pieces on the glue, not removing them.

At first some toddlers will simply be interested in squeezing the glue, not putting anything on the glue. If the leaf starts to become one big puddle of glue, you can gently remove the bottle and tell them that it’s now time to put the pieces on.

And, just to be real here, I did have one leaf that was placed on the drying rack only adorned with glue, no pieces. And yes, I save those because it’s still their work.

When finished, place the leaves somewhere to dry and then display.

Ours will be hanging in our classroom tree!

More Leaf Activities

• Fall Leaf Playdough Center
• Leaf Painting in a Bag
• Leaf Color Sorting