Family Mini Project: Leaf Printing with Paint

When the air turns crisp and the leaves start to fall, it’s the perfect time for an art project that celebrates the beauty of autumn! This simple leaf printing activity is easy enough for preschoolers but creative enough to keep older kids (and parents!) engaged too.
You don’t need fancy supplies—just a few leaves from your yard and a bit of paint.

What You’ll Need

• A handful of leaves in different shapes and sizes
• Washable tempera paint
• A small paintbrush or sponge
• Mixed media art paper (white or colored)
• Wet washcloth or pPaper towels for cleanup

​How to Do It

1. Go on a leaf hunt! Collect leaves with interesting edges and visible veins. Dry them off if they’re damp.
2. Set up your workspace. Lay out paper and squeeze a small amount of paint onto a palette or paper plate.
3. Paint the leaf. Place the leaf vein-side up and gently coat it with paint using your brush or sponge.
4. Press and print. Flip the leaf over and press it onto your paper. Rub gently with your hand, then lift to reveal your print!
5. Experiment. Try overlapping prints, mixing colors, or layering different leaves for a full fall collage.

​Creative Variations

Want to take it a step further? Try these ideas:

• Greeting Cards: Fold your paper in half and make mini leaf-printed cards to mail to friends and family.
  
• Gift Wrap: Use brown kraft paper and cover it with colorful leaf prints for one-of-a-kind wrapping paper.
  
• Leaf Garland: Cut out your leaf prints, punch holes, and string them into a festive fall garland.
  
• Glitter Finish: While the paint is still wet, sprinkle a little glitter for sparkle!
  

Why We Love This Project

Leaf printing is a beautiful blend of nature and art. It encourages kids to observe the world around them, notice textures and shapes, and experiment with composition and layering. Plus—it’s a great excuse to go outside and collect materials!
At Orange Easel, we believe the best art projects are simple, hands-on, and full of possibilities. This one checks every box.
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​Next time you’re outside, grab a few leaves and give this a try. You’ll end up with something beautiful—and maybe a few painty fingerprints along the way. That’s part of the fun.