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Make · Wild and Tumble activity

Leaf twirlers

Spin, spin, spin! Twirl a leaf by its stem until it whirls like a propeller.

  • 10 min total
  • Low mess
  • Ages 3–5*
  • Outdoors
  • 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: 2 min to find leaves · 7 min to twirl · 1 min to head off. It's fine to stop early.

Before you start

What you’ll need

  • Fallen leaves with long, sturdy stems

Let's begin

Five simple steps

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

  1. Hold the leaf stem between your thumb and first finger.

  2. Together

    Rub your fingers together to spin it.

  3. Faster and faster! Does it blur?

  4. Try different leaves. Which spins best?

  5. Can you twirl one in each hand?

All done!

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

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