Exploring Fall Leaves

Leaf Graphing

The Fall Equinox marks the start of the fall season in the Northern Hemisphere. During fall, the green summer leaves start to turn red, yellow, and orange before falling to the ground. Check out this map to see when the leaves usually turn in your area: Almanac Fall Foliage Color Map

When the leaves start changing, go on a hike or nature walk near your home. Carry a bag with you and collect autumn leaves as you go.
Go home and spread your leaves out on the table. Decide how you want to sort them and then sort them into different piles (by color, shape, type of tree…)
Make a bar graph of your results. (Parents: depending on age, help out by drawing the x/y axis and having your child color in a square for each leaf)

Which type of leaf did you have the most of?
Which type of leaf did you have the least of?
Can you make a math problem from your results? (red leaves + orange leaves = ?)
Do you think you would get the same results if you collected another batch of leaves? Why or why not?

Leaf Art

You can do this activity with leaves you just collected, or you can press them first by sandwiching them between two pieces of parchment paper and closing them in a book for 1 – 2 weeks.
Put down newspaper and spread your leaves on top. Then, decorate them with Sharpies. You can draw patterns, write words that remind you of fall, or draw pictures. Which color shows up the best? Black? Silver?
When you are done decorating, cover them in Mod Podge using your paintbrush. Wait a few minutes until they are dry, then turn them over and “paint” the back. What happens to the leaves? Are they the same color as before?
Display your leaves as artwork on the wall or as a centerpiece on your table during the fall season.

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