Tuesday, 22 July 2014

Animal Leaf Pictures

Posted by Rosie

In the fifth of our series of nature games and activities for children today we have:

Animal Leaf Pictures


This activity involves going for a walk to collect a variety of leaves of different shapes and colours before returning home to create an animal picture with them.

Leaf Mouse


To make Animal Leaf Pictures you will need:
  • A selection of leaves of different shapes, sizes and colours
  • Glue (PVA is best)
  • Paintbrush
  • Paper or cardboard
  • Laminating sheets (optional)
  • Animal pictures for inspiration (optional)


Method


  • First head out to collect your leaves, which is best done on a dry day.  Autumn will give a better range of colour but even in Spring and Summer you'll be surprised how many different coloured leaves there are once you start really looking.
  • Collect a good range including really small ones for eyes, long thin ones for legs and big round ones for bodies. Long thin leaves with a serrated edge make excellent feathers!
  • Once back home assemble your materials and start making your animals.
  • You may want to copy a picture from a book or the internet or be happy to go freestyle!
  • For younger children you can draw or print off an animal outline for them to fill in.
  • Be as adventurous as possible, building up layers of leaves for features such as eyes, spots on butterflies, scales of fish etc.

Note - if you want you can dry and press the leaves first although I have never bothered with this stage.  Another option is to make your pictures on paper and then laminate them for posterity.
Book - Look What I Did with a Leaf!


For this activity I got my inspiration from the book, "Look What I Did with a Leaf!" by Morteza E. Sohi.  If you head over to Amazon you can have a peek inside at some of the leaf animals in the book.

Do let me know of you have a go at making animal leaf pictures and I'd love to see your pictures.  You can either post them up on Twitter linking to us at @ecogiteslenault or pop them on our Facebook page.

ANIMALTALES


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23 comments :

  1. Unknown22 July 2014 at 08:55

    I like these a lot! We did something similar in autumn, making a hedgehog. The mouse is so cute #LetKidsBeKids

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    Replies
    1. A Green and Rosie Life22 July 2014 at 10:00

      Thank you - you do get more colour choice is Autumn, our mouse was a little monotone, but well camouflaged ;)

      Delete
  2. Unknown22 July 2014 at 11:34

    Fantastic idea. That mouse picture looks great! I have added it to my summer to do list.
    Thanks for sharing #LetKidsBeKids

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    Replies
    1. A Green and Rosie Life22 July 2014 at 12:35

      Thank you, Karen. He was fun to make :) Let me know if you make a leaf picture, you can always post it up on our Facebook page.

      Delete
  3. Paul Wandason22 July 2014 at 13:01

    I've definitely got to try this at home with my daughters! I love the idea of using natural things like leaves as materials!
    #LetKidsBeKids

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    Replies
    1. A Green and Rosie Life22 July 2014 at 23:32

      Do post a picture of your animal up on our facebook page if you want!

      Delete
  4. Anonymous22 July 2014 at 16:16

    Good idea.. Definitely trying this! Every time I go for a walk with the kids I have to empty my pocket of leaves, flowers, stones etc and that's after I've put all the twigs down :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A Green and Rosie Life22 July 2014 at 23:33

      Would love to see the results - you can always post a picture up on our Facebook page or on twitter linking to @ecogiteslenault ;)

      Delete
  5. Amanda22 July 2014 at 23:09

    Oh I love this, so fun! Next time we are in the woods we'll be borrowing a few leaves to see what we can make

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    Replies
    1. A Green and Rosie Life23 July 2014 at 09:19

      If you do make a picture, Amanda, I would love to see it!

      Delete
  6. Anonymous23 July 2014 at 12:30

    My son shouted 'a mouse!' when she saw your craft. And now he wont stop shouting it =P #letkidsbekids

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    Replies
    1. A Green and Rosie Life23 July 2014 at 13:12

      LOL - Glad he recognised the picture as a mouse :)

      Delete
  7. manneskjur23 July 2014 at 17:00

    I love this !

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  8. Louisa23 July 2014 at 23:00

    Brilliant idea. We live next to a forest so we can get lots of leaves. Pinning this idea #letkidsbekids

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    Replies
    1. A Green and Rosie Life24 July 2014 at 00:03

      Would love to see the results, Louisa - you can always post a picture up on our Facebook page or on twitter linking to @ecogiteslenault ;)

      Delete
  9. Mummy of Two29 July 2014 at 20:42

    I love this idea! What a great adventure to go and find the leaves and then letting their imagination run riot creating pictures! Thanks for linking up to #Playtime

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  10. Mudpie Mama31 July 2014 at 15:06

    These are so cute. I can't wait to do things like this with Little Man. He is just getting into drawing so I'm sure it won't be long before he is keen to get on with things like this. Thanks for sharing at the Outdoor Play Party :-)

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  11. Ashley Beolens14 April 2015 at 08:54

    Those are brilliant, such a lovely idea (I might steal it lol).

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  12. Dean of Little Steps14 April 2015 at 10:29

    Love the idea! :)

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  13. Happy Homebird14 April 2015 at 21:24

    Such a cute idea and great in the Autumn with all the wonderful shades. Going to have a look at that book!

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  14. chickenruby15 April 2015 at 16:22

    they are so cute, shame my kids are all grown up now though...lol

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  15. Coombe Mill - Fiona2 May 2015 at 13:27

    Love these, we have made leaf collages here on the farm too, always popular. Cute mouse.

    ReplyDelete

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