Fall Leaf STEAM Activity: Art Project with Free Template

With water, coffee filters, markers, and the free Leaf Template, kids can make a colorful Leaf Craft with this COOL and CREATIVE art project with a STEAM twist.

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This science meets art project is almost magical, at least that’s what my kids thought as they watched fall colors transform their plain white coffee filter into a work of art. This is an easy kid STEAM activity perfect for an autumn day. In fact, it’s so easy that you will probably end up with a big leafy pile in no time. You should have all the supplies and I have provided a free leaf template, so the next thing you need to do is gather the kids and start crafting.

We have done a cool science experiment that helps answer the question, Why do fall leaves change color?” Check it out here: Leaf Color Experiment.

Heading outside? Gather leaves and try this Find the Tree Game with your kids too, then print out this Color and Label Leaf Printable to add to your child’s learning.  

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Fall Leaf Craft: STEAM Absorption Art

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Supplies:

• Coffee Filters-affiliate link
• Markers
• Cup of water
• Scissors
• Leaf template (available to download below)

Directions:

You can watch our Youtube video tutorial here, which is fun for kids to craft along with my kid’s or you can continue to the directions below.

Place the coffee filter on top of the leaf template and trace it out. The leaf template is available to download at the end of this post. If you are unable to print the template you could always use a cookie cutter or draw a leaf shape on your own. I would grab about 5 coffee filters at a time, trace the leaf on the top filter, and then carefully cut 5 coffee filters at one time.

Next, have children use the markers to make a doughnut ring in the middle of the leaf. I drew a circle in the middle and then had the kids trace around it a few times. Make sure the inside of the circle is not filled in as well as the rest of the leaf because you want to leave room for the color to travel up the leaf. Let kids experiment and try several colors at a time if they want.

Fold the leaf 3 times (in half, in half and in half again) making a point in the middle of the circle.

And Now, the Absorption Learning in our fall leaf STEAM activity!

Have children carefully dip their leaf in the water so that only the white tip of the circle touches. The water should start to travel up the coffee filter leaf and spread the ink throughout. It only takes a minute for the leaf to be completely saturated. My kiddos accidentally dropped a few leaves in the water which ended up turning the water colors instead of the coffee filter so you may want to have a few extra coffee filters on hand just in case.

Remove the leaf from the water and let it dry. I taped them to a box but you could always clip them on a clothesline (probably a better idea…but we were making up the steps as we went along :).

Once the leaf is dry carefully unfold it and enjoy. I love how the color traveled to the outside of the leaves because they look so lovely and it was a perfect visual representation for my little kids of how water travels through leaves as it carried the marker to the ends of the leaf (transpiration) making it soft and supple like our wet coffee filter, and exists through holes (stomata) making the leaf crisp like our dry coffee filter.

When we were done we used our leaves to make a fall leaf collage that is now hanging up on our wall. Learn more about leaves with one of our most popular fall science posts: Exploring the Colors of Leaves and kids can also review the anatomy of a leaf: Color and Label Free Printable. This art idea was inspired by Buggy and Buddies Butterfly Chromatography Activity. Be sure to stop by and read their tips on how to get the colors to separate for an extra exciting touch to this art activity.

DOWNLOAD THE PRINTABLE HERE:

Don’t see the box? CLICK HERE to be directed to the download.

See more: Science Activities

🍂 Frequently Asked Questions 🍁

Q: What makes this fall leaf craft so much fun?
A: It’s simple, colorful, and a little bit magical! Kids love drawing their own leaves and watching the colors spread as soon as the water hits. Every leaf turns out different, so it feels like a fun surprise every time.

Q: Why do the marker colors spread when we add water?
A: The coffee filter soaks up water (that’s called absorption), and the water carries the marker ink along as it moves. It’s the same kind of science plants use to drink through their stems—pretty cool, right?

Q: What science lesson are kids learning while they craft?
A: Kids get to see how water travels, mixes, and creates new colors—just like real scientists exploring how things move and change. It’s the perfect mix of art and science, and a fun way to sneak some learning into playtime!