Marvelous Maple Leaf
Kids explore science, texture, and Canada while building fine motor skills and imaginations. Paint the town red with these rippled maple leaves.
1. Go on a walk with an adult to gather a maple leaf. Wash your hands afterwards. If maples do not grow in your area, find a picture in a book, or use your hand as a pattern.
2. Place your leaf on white paper. Trace around it with a Crayola® Washable Crayon. Cut out the paper leaf with Crayola Scissors.
3. Peel off the top paper layer of corrugated cardboard to reveal the ridges.
4. Place the cardboard on recycled newspaper. Paint it with red Crayola Washable Kid's Paint and a Crayola So Big Brush.
5. While the cardboard is still wet, press your leaf on it, face down. Rub gently. The ridges will produce patterns and textures similar to the vein patterns in real maple leaves. Dry.
6. Use your maple leaf to create a replica of a Canadian flag (February 15 is Flag Day in Canada) or as decoration. Look up information about Canada or maple trees in reference books or on the Internet.
Adult supervision is required for any arts & crafts project. Observe children closely and intervene as necessary to prevent potential safety problems and ensure appropriate use of arts and crafts materials. Some craft items, particularly beads and buttons, are potential choking hazards for young children. Avoid use of such small parts with children younger than 3 years. Craft items such as scissors, push pins and chenille sticks may have sharp points or edges. Avoid use of materials with sharp points by children younger than 4 years. Read all manufacturers' safety warnings before using arts and craft supplies.
Crayola Washable Paints—Not for use as body/face paint.
Scissors—ATTENTION: The cutting edges of scissors are sharp and care should be taken whenever cutting or handling. Blunt-tip scissors should be used only by children 4 years and older. Pointed-tip scissors should be used only by children 6 years and older.











