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Paint Leaf Prints

Make beautiful leaf prints on paper or fabric so you can remember autumn after it has passed.

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Average Rating:
Participant Age: Under 7, 7 to 12, 12 and up
Approximate Cost: Under $10
Duration: 1 to 60 minutes, Over an hour
Difficulty:
Physical Challenge:
  • Apron (to protect clothing)
  • Leaves
  • Newspaper (if working on a surface that needs to be protected)
  • Paint (washable if working with small children)
  • Paint brush or sponge brush
  • Paper
  • Paper towel (optional)
  • Small plastic cups, to hold and mix paint - such as a recycled muffin package
  • Rolling pin (optional)
  • Fabric (optional, if you want to make fabric prints)
Gather leaves.

Any kind will work, but larger leaves are easier to work with. Maple leaves have a nice weight and flexibility to them.


Paint one side of the leaf.
In some species, one side has more texture than the other. Paint the side with the most texture.
Press the painted side down on paper or fabric.
If pressing on to fabric, consider a rolling pin.
Protect your rolling pin by covering the leaves with paper towel or newspaper.
After a short time, peel off the leaves.
You can also paint around the leaves.
This makes something like a fuzzy outline, and it looks cool too.
You can make a pretty runner for your fireplace mantle or table.
Just print the leaves in line on a thin piece of fabric.
You can use the painted leaves for crafts when they dry.
Anyone need a blue maple leaf?
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