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Explore · Wild and Tumble activity

Water drop leaves

Does the water roll off, or soak in? Drip water onto different leaves and watch what happens.

  • 15 min total
  • Some mess
  • 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: 3 min to collect · 10 min to explore · 2 min to tidy. It's fine to stop early.

Before you start

What you’ll need

  • Different leaves: waxy, furry, flat, crinkly
  • A pipette, straw or teaspoon
  • A cup of water

Let's begin

Five simple steps

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

  1. Lay the leaves out on a tray.

  2. Drip one drop of water onto each.

  3. Watch closely. Does it make a little ball? Does it spread out?

  4. Tip the leaf. Does the drop roll off?

  5. Which leaf is the most waterproof?

All done!

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

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