Shiny Happy Leaves

Supplies:

Leaves

Cardboard

Glue/Water Mixture

Paint Brush

The leaf hunt may have been more fun than the actual preserving of the leaves. We took an entire hour and a half just walking around the block and neighborhood to find the leaves we wanted to use. I had a stoller full of leaves and no kids. Allow leaves to dry for 24 hours and brush off any dirt.

 

You can recycle old cereal boxes for this project. The cardboard is great for the glue/water mixture and won't tear as easily as construction paper. Lay or glue your leaves into place on the cardboard. Using your glue/water mixture apply a coat to the leaves. Allow your leaves to dry. Leaves will have a gloss to them and be preserved with their colors during the season. You can apply to both sides and create mobiles from the leaves. Use multiple applications of the glue mixture and allow plenty of drying time in between.

Great Uses:
Discuss the process of photosynthesis of leaves.
Preserve leaves and color for the season.
Create a library of preserved leaves to represent different trees.