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Make · Wild and Tumble activity

Leaf paint brushes

Use big, safe leaves as playful mark-makers and see what happens when you dab and sweep.

  • 20 min total
  • Messy fun
  • Ages 3–5*
  • Indoors or out
  • Spring to autumn
Let's do this

*Illustrative age guidance. Your child's development and circumstances matter more than a number.

A tiny plan for your day

Estimated time: 5 min to prepare · 12 min to explore · 3 min to tidy. It's fine to stop early.

Before you start

What you’ll need

  • Large safe leaves with sturdy stems, or large leaves held by an adult
  • Washable child-safe paint
  • Paper or cardboard
  • Protective table covering

Let's begin

Three simple steps

That's the whole activity. Tick each step off as you go, and stop whenever you like.

  1. Grown-up job

    An adult checks the leaves and sets out a tiny amount of washable paint.

  2. Try dabbing, dragging and sweeping the leaves to make different marks.

  3. Compare the marks with the leaf shapes, then clean hands and surfaces.

All done!

That's every step. However it went, you made a little moment together.

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