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September 1, 2017

Autumn Leaves STEAM Absorption Art and Free Template

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. It’s an easy kid activity fit 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.

Autumn Leaves STEAM Absorption Art for Kids to Enjoy this Fall: Kids can watch coffee filters magically change colors as they learn about leaves (Preschool, Kindergarten, First grade, Botany, Kids Craft)

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We're Going on a Leaf HuntWe’re Going on a Leaf HuntRed Leaf, Yellow LeafRed Leaf, Yellow LeafThere Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves!There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves!LeavesLeaves

 

Autumn Leaves STEAM Absorption Art

Autumn Leaves STEAM Absorption Art for Kids to Enjoy this Fall: Kids can watch coffee filters magically change colors as they learn about leaves (Preschool, Kindergarten, First grade, Botany, Kids Craft)

 

Supplies:

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

Melitta Junior Basket Coffee Filters White 100 CountMelitta Junior Basket Coffee Filters White 100 CountCrayola Broad Point Washable Markers - Pack of 2 (58-7808-2Pack)Crayola Broad Point Washable Markers – Pack of 2 (58-7808-2Pack)Schoolworks 5 Inch Blunt-tip Kids Scissors, 2/ Pack (153520-1004)Schoolworks 5 Inch Blunt-tip Kids Scissors, 2/ Pack (153520-1004)Fox Run 36092 Maple Leaf Cookie Cutter Set, Stainless Steel, 5-PieceFox Run 36092 Maple Leaf Cookie Cutter Set, Stainless Steel, 5-Piece

 

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.

Autumn Leaves STEAM Absorption Art for Kids to Enjoy this Fall: Kids can watch coffee filters magically change colors as they learn about leaves (Preschool, Kindergarten, First grade, Botany, Kids Craft)

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.

Autumn Leaves STEAM Absorption Art for Kids to Enjoy this Fall: Kids can watch coffee filters magically change colors as they learn about leaves (Preschool, Kindergarten, First grade, Botany, Kids Craft)

Autumn Leaves STEAM Absorption Art for Kids to Enjoy this Fall: Kids can watch coffee filters magically change colors as they learn about leaves (Preschool, Kindergarten, First grade, Botany, Kids Craft)

 

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

Autumn Leaves STEAM Absorption Art for Kids to Enjoy this Fall: Kids can watch coffee filters magically change colors as they learn about leaves (Preschool, Kindergarten, First grade, Botany, Kids Craft)

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.

Autumn Leaves STEAM Absorption Art for Kids to Enjoy this Fall: Kids can watch coffee filters magically change colors as they learn about leaves (Preschool, Kindergarten, First grade, Botany, Kids Craft)

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.

Autumn Leaves STEAM Absorption Art for Kids to Enjoy this Fall: Kids can watch coffee filters magically change colors as they learn about leaves (Preschool, Kindergarten, First grade, Botany, Kids Craft)

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

Fall Leaf Color Experiment

13 Fantastic and Easy Fall Tree Crafts for Kids to Make: Choose from different styles and mediums like yarn, seeds, paint, popcorn, toilet paper rolls and more. (Autumn, arts and crafts)

13 Fantastic Fall Tree Crafts

All About Plants Activities (Preschool, Kindergarten, First Grade, Second Grade)

All about Plants Activities

Autumn Leaves STEAM Absorption Art for Kids to Enjoy this Fall: Kids can watch coffee filters magically change colors as they learn about leaves (Preschool, Kindergarten, First grade, Botany, Kids Craft)

Thanks for crafting with us today. If you enjoyed this idea please pin & share it with others so they can enjoy it too! Love, Katie & the Kiddos (originally posted 9/29/2016, updated 9/1/2017)

Filed Under: Art, Coffee Filters, Craft Printables, Crafts, Create, Fall, First Grade, Kindergarten, Plants, Process Art, Science, STEAM, Video 3 Comments

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Comments

  1. Crystal Shaw says

    September 29, 2016 at 11:38 pm

    Beautiful, simple, and easily correlated in so many subjects! I’m pinning and sharing!

    Reply
    • Katie says

      September 30, 2016 at 12:19 am

      Hi Crystal, Thanks so much for the nice comment and I appreciate the pin and share! Hope you have a great day!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Easy Fall Leaf Science Experiment: Exploring Colors & Chlorophyll with Kids - says:
    September 29, 2016 at 11:54 am

    […] and compare differences between the containers. We recently continued our learning with a STEAM Coffee Filter Art Activity to make Fall Leaves that would be a perfect addition to this […]

    Reply

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