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Leaf Impressions

Activity

Creating Art and a Field Guide with Leaf Prints

Collect a variety of leaves from different plants near your school or home. Dip them in paint or press them into mud, then stamp them onto paper, fabric, or the sidewalk to create unique patterns. Try to identify which plant each leaf came from based on its shape, size, and texture, and turn your stamped artwork into a field guide for the plants you found!

Science Seed

Leaves come in many different shapes, sizes, and textures, and each plant has its own unique way of adapting to its environment. The shape of a leaf, whether it’s broad like a maple or needle-like like a pine, helps the plant capture sunlight for photosynthesis. The texture can also tell you a lot about the plant; some leaves are smooth and others are rough, which can help them retain water or resist damage from pests. As you create your leaf art, you’re also building your own plant field guide, which can help you observe the diversity of plant life in your area and understand how each plant has evolved to survive.

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earn Badges

Badges can be earned through hands-on experiences within each of the 16 branches of science, or “Science Slices.” You can earn a badge in each branch of science by doing four activities in these categories. We also encourage participants to keep a Nature Journal to record their memories, and to express themselves creatively through writing or drawing after each activity. We recommend that each child (and parent if they’d like) write or draw in a journal after each activity, with expectations of your children that match their age (the goal is self-expression, not perfection).

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join Families in Nature

It is our vision to inspire all families to fall in love with nature and foster the next generation of conservationists. Becoming a member of Families in Nature will give your family the opportunity to have adventures in nature, experience field science, develop as youth conservation leaders, and make memories that will last a lifetime. Memberships are free for everyone.

Who are we?

Families in Nature works to create opportunities for nature connection with the purpose of sparking a deep love and desire to protect, conserve and restore the environment. Our mission is to connect children and their families to nature and to each other through time spent learning, playing, and volunteering outdoors. It is our vision to inspire ALL families to fall in love with nature and foster the next generation of conservationists.

This project was made possible by HEB.