Leaf Activities for Kids : Number recognition and leaf structures

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

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}

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.

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}

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

Ooh looks great with those leaves fanned out!

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.

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.