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Leaf Math and Sculptures

Sep 29, 20136,627 views
Nature crafts
Leaf Activities for Kids : Leaf Math and Sculptures Save
leaves sculptures - math activities for kids Save
learning math hands on Save
stacked numbers Save
leaf activities with bamboo skewers Save
sculptures with leaves Save
math activities with leaves Save

by TurkeyMom in Nature crafts

Ages3–6 yrs
Prep30 min
Activity30 min
Leveleasy
MessLow
Works for1:1 · Small group · Class

Write numbers on collected fall leaves, punch holes in them, then have kids put them in order and thread them onto bamboo skewers stuck in a recycled Styrofoam block. Younger kids practice number recognition and counting, and older kids build leaf sculptures.

⚠️ Safety first

  • Bamboo skewers have sharp points. Supervise closely, show kids how to push them point-down into the foam, and consider snipping off the sharp tips first.
  • An adult writes the numbers with the permanent marker.
  • Styrofoam can crumble into small pieces, and toddlers may mouth leaves or foam bits. Supervise at all times.
  • Wash hands after handling leaves collected outdoors.

Before the kids arrive

  • Go on a nature walk and collect big leaves.
  • Write a number on each leaf, and draw small leaf pictures on it for kids to count.
  • Punch a hole at each end of every leaf.

Steps

  1. Set out the Styrofoam block, bamboo skewers and number leaves.

  2. Explore the leaves and call out the numbers.

  3. Stuck on a number, like 6 or 9? Count the little leaf pictures on the leaf.

  4. Arrange the number leaves in order.

  5. Push the bamboo skewers into the Styrofoam block.

  6. Thread the leaves onto the skewers through the holes and stack them up.

  7. Try a smaller block with many skewers and arrange the number leaves in a row.

  8. Build a sculpture: move the skewers closer or farther apart, and turn or flip the leaves to fit.

  9. Show off your finished leaf sculpture.

Tips

  • Only a few of our leaves had fall colors and most were brown, but their shape, texture and size were something to look at.from the author
  • We used a Styrofoam block from a package. We love recycled crafts and activities.from the author
  • When my 3 year old couldn't identify a number (usually 6 and 9), I had her count the leaf pictures on the leaf. It's extra counting practice.from the author
  • Let younger kids explore first. Mine started crumbling the leaves before we got to the numbers.from the author
  • The stacking doesn't have to be in order. Threading the leaves and inserting the skewers is a great workout for fine motor skills.from the author
  • My 5 year old went straight to building. She showed a lot of problem solving while trying to create the pattern she wanted.from the author

Make it your own

  • Use a smaller block with many skewers and arrange the number leaves horizontally, fanned out.
  • Skip the numbers and build free-form leaf sculptures.
  • Crumble leftover dry leaves for other fall crafts, such as homemade fall maracas.

The story behind it

By TurkeyMom · September 2013
leaf activities materials
A week ago we went on a nature walk and collected these big, beautiful leaves. I wrote numbers on them and set them out with a Styrofoam block and bamboo skewers.
1 / 10

Leaf Math and Sculptures: the original post

With the turn of seasons we created a few leaf activities for kids. As I always say, the kids and I enjoy themed learning. They are a great way to keep learning and exploring fresh for the kids. This time we tweaked our math activities and brought in a little fall in our activities. With nature lovers in the house, it is always a plus to incorporate nature bits in our learning. What’s more fitting than using leaves as counters! { Here are a few leaf activities for kids} Materials

  • Fall Leaves
  • Hole Punch
  • Styrofoam Block
  • Bamboo skewers
  • Permanent Marker

A week ago we went on a nature walk and collected these big, beautiful leaves. Only a few of them had the characteristic fall colors and most of them were brown. But the shape, texture and size of these leaves were something to look at. I gathered the leaves up and wrote down the numbers on them. Since we love recycled crafts and activities, I used a Styrofoam block ( from a package) and set it out along with bamboo skewers and the leaves.

Leaf activities for kids- an invitation to explore, learn and play with leaves leaf activities materials I also punched out two holes on the either ends of the leaves in the hopes that the children will use them to build something.{ they love building activities}

math activities with leaves 3 Year old’s experience She first explored the leaves first and calling out the numbers. She recalled our Fall Maracas making process and started crumbling the leaves. Now those are fun leaf activities for these kids themselves!. However this time we are doing a hands on play based learning activity. I encouraged her to call out the numbers and we decided to arrange them in order. Once that was done, she started “stacking them” While we did not dothe stacking in a proper order she was very excited to thread the leaves through the holes. She also enjoyed inserting the bamboo skewers on the block. What are a great work out for those fine motor skills.

toddler number recognition with leaves Every now and then when she would get stuck and is unable to identify the number ( usually 6 and 9) I had her count the leaf pictures on the leaves to help her with the number***. {Counting practice}***

stacked numbers

We tried the same leaf activities on another smaller block with many skewers inserted. My 3 year old independently created this mini leaf activity and announced that she is going to arrange the number leaves horizontally

learning math hands on Ooh looks great with those leaves fanned out!

math fun with leaves

5 Year old’s experience

Surprise! Surprise!( said in a sarcastic tone) She wanted to build and create. That kid really enjoys building and creating activities.

She was meticulously planning and attaching the leaves to the skewers. She showed a great deal of problem solving skills while trying to create a partclar pattern she wanted.

creative activities with leaves

She would move the skewers closer/far away, turned the leaves around to fit the needs, inverted them and so many more. This leaf activity was great for her math skills.

leaf activities with bamboo skewers

Finally she was done and loved what she created.

sculptures with leaves

She was very proud of her leaf sculptures and couldn’t wait to show dad.

leaves sculptures - math activities for kids

Thanks for reading

For more fall activities for kids

fall play ideas fb

Thanks for reading

Leaves Math - Stacking and Sculptures from Blog Me Mom

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