Activate Imaginations with A Picture Book-Inspired Leaf Art Tray

Quick, before all the leaves fall and turn brown in your area, if they have not already, consider making a picture book-inspired leaf art tray. It’s easy and so much fun! We just did it the other day.

On the tray, include some inspirational picture books, such as Leaf Man (Ala Notable Children's Books. Younger Readers (Awards)) or Look What I Did with a Leaf! (Naturecraft). Then, add a basket with scissors, glue and paper. Top the tray off with an array of autumn leaves in different shapes, sizes and colors, and your young artists will be good to go. They can begin creating beautiful seasonal art.

Of course, if you have children who are not well-regulated and might get crazy with glue or scissors, you might want to protect your picture books by sharing the stories during a read aloud, but not including them on the art tray.  I actually removed our books just in case once the kids were fully engaged in their art.

And, if you think ahead, instead of just putting the activity together on request to follow your children’s interests – as was the case in our home – you might consider making your tray and working area even more Montessori-inspired than ours was. For example, you could set out child-size scissors instead of grown-up ones, and you might want to provide stack of trays or cloths to define individual work spaces for each artist to create their masterpieces upon. 

Leaf Art by Nina (with Mommy's Help upon Request)

Leaf Art by Luke

Leaf Art by Nina and Mommy

Leaf Art by Nina

Leaf Art by Luke

Whatever way you choose to set up a picture book-inspired leaf art tray, it is sure to activate imaginations and smiles. Enjoy!

Please note: Links to Amazon within this post and others are affiliate ones. Should you choose to click through one to make an Amazon purchase, we may receive a small percentage of the sale. This does not cost you anything, but is a choice we thank you for making. Anything we make from links goes straight back into training up our children and to much of what we share with you here. Thank you!
 

Want to be inspired with others' Montessori ideas an work?  Click on over to Montessori Monday and enjoy.