Use the vibrant colors of the fall season to create unique works of art in the preschool classroom. This simple tissue paper and glue art process activity is perfect for the child who is learning about colors, textures, and even shapes. Try adapting the difficulty level to encourage younger learners or challenge older students.
Preschool Fall Leaf Art Lesson Objectives
- Explore art materials and process.
- Build color recognition skills.
- Learn about the season of fall (includes nature, the environment, and weather).
- Develop fine motor skills.
- Build self-regulation ability.
- Follow steps in a sequence.
Grade/ Age Level
This art activity lesson plan can be used with children ages two through six. Adapt the plan to fit specific classroom, age, or developmental needs.
Materials Needed for the Fall Leaf Art Activity
- Tissue paper in fall colors (red, orange, yellow, and brown)
- Large pieces of construction paper (butcher paper or even poster board can be substituted)
- Non-toxic, clear drying school glue
- Small cup
- Paint brush
- Water
Steps to Create the Falling Leaves Activity
Pre-activity
Before beginning this art activity, discuss the fall season with the children. If possible, take a trip outdoors to view fall leaves. Point out the autumn colors. Ask the children to name each color viewed. If it is not possible to go outside try reading a book about fall with vibrant photographs or illustrations.
Make sure to discuss autumn leaves falling off of trees. Invite the children to think about why this might happen. Talk about the motion as the leaves gently fall from the branches to the ground.
Other pre-activity steps include preparing the art materials. Squeeze a puddle of glue into a small cup. The cups used for this activity should be art only cups. Never reuse them for drinking or eating purposes. Add a very small amount of water to thin the glue. Stir with a paint brush. The glue should be thin, yet still remain sticky.
Process Steps
This activity is process based. The children should concentrate on gluing and tearing the tissue paper, not on making identical looking trees. This activity is created on the floor, and may get messy. It is suggested that proper steps are taken to cover any non-washable surfaces. Additionally, proper supervision and safety measures should be taken to avoid the children slipping on the paper or other art materials.
- Place the paper on the floor. Invite the children to paint the paper with the glue/water mixture. Multiple children may share one glue cup.
- Ask the children to stand up or kneel over the paper. Have them tear small pieces or shapes from the tissue paper. These are the leaves. The children will be the tree. Have the children gently drop the tissue paper onto the glued construction paper like an autumn leaf falls from a tree.
- Encourage the children to sway or move like the wind as the tissue paper leaves are dropped. Ask them to vary the rates that the tissue paper is dropped. If the glue begins to dry, the children can repaint the paper.
- Set aside to dry.
Autumn Falling Leaf Art Lesson Wrap Up
After the children have finished creating the fall art, discuss the process used and the art that has been created. Ask questions such as:
- What colors were used?
- Why were those colors used?
- How did the tissue paper leaves get onto the paper?
- How did the tissue paper stick to the paper?
- How does this remind anyone of something that happens outside during the fall season?
- What happened to the tissue paper leaves that did not fall onto the paper?
Early Childhood Enrichment Activities
Make this lesson plan part of a larger unit, or extend it into another curricular area. The following list provides suggestions for classroom extensions or enrichment activities.
- Science: Add this art activity to a seasonal science unit or theme.
- Math: Learn about patterns by dropping the tissue paper leaves in a color sequence. Ask the children to count the leaves as they fall.
- Creative Movement/ Dance: Play music during this activity. Spread out and have the children sway and move like fall trees in the wind.
- Collaborative Project: Turn this into a group effort. Use one large piece of paper (butcher paper or wrapping paper), and create a fall mural.
The fall leaf preschool activity is a great way to introduce multiple concepts to young children. Take the time to view the vibrant foliage this autumn, and create an art experience around the colors of the season. Encourage the children to explore the art process used, and then conclude by having a class discussion.
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