#LeafPlayIs…

We are enjoying all the colors of fall as peak fall color hits across Northern Illinois! We asked NINPA members what leaf play looks like in their classrooms and playspaces.

#LeafPlayIs… Reading Connections

In fall we read books like Going on a Leaf Hunt by Steve Metzger and Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert. Both of these books inspire so much fun leaf play and exploration. They are the perfect way to start a fall day! – Kathryn, The Children’s Garden at The Morton Arboretum
We make leaf books with leaves we find on our hikes and stickers that help identify colors, leaf types, and descriptors like smooth, bumpy, rough – Cara, Wildwood Nature Center/Park Ridge Park District

#LeafPlayIs… Big Motion

Raking and jumping in the piles – Megan, Little Trees Early Learning Program at The Morton Arboretum
Running through large piles of leaves and tossing them into the air – Marilyn, Morton College
Adding leaves into our parachute play – Jennifer, Prairie School of DuPage

#LeafPlayIs… Scientific Exploration

Take small rakes into the woods to “clear a path” which always uncovers the wonderful world of decomposers under the leaf litter – Beth, Hobson School
Find different colors of plants and leaves – Kathryn, The Children’s Garden at The Morton Arboretum
Create tree “autograph books” bark rubbing and leaf rubbings – Jennifer, Prairie School of DuPage
Make a leaf kite and watch how it dances in the wind – Jennifer, Prairie School of DuPage
Put a green leaf between two squares of fabric (I use an old sheet cut up) and pound the chlorophyll out of it. This makes a very nice leaf stain on the fabric square and coincides with how leaves are losing their green color and the fall colors are now showing. (It also smells wonderful!) – Marji, FCC Weekday Preschool

#LeafPlayIs… Community

Lay down under the trees and watching the leaves fall down and talking about the colors we see. It’s a simple activity, but always one that invites us to share in a moment of joy, wonder, and connection – Beth, Hobson School
Working together to rake big enough piles to jump in, taking turns jumping, and burying our friends and teachers in the piles (wait to jump until everyone is out!) – Cara, Wildwood Nature Center/Park Ridge Park District

#LeafPlayIs… Math

Examine different shapes of leaves and measure smallest to largest leaf that we can find – Marji, FCC Weekday Preschool
Leaf sorting by shapes and colors – Sean, Chicago Park District
Sorting number leaves into numerical order and making 10 with different pairings – Jennifer, Prairie School of DuPage
Using leaves and other natural materials for sequencing and patterns – Jennifer, Prairie School of DuPage
Hanging Tree towers – leaves stacked biggest to smallest on a skewer – Jennifer, Prairie School of DuPage

#LeafPlayIs… Artistic

Creating Fairy Houses – Sean, Chicago Park District
Collecting fallen natural materials such as leaves, tree seeds and use that to create art – Kathryn, The Children’s Garden at The Morton Arboretum
Making self portraits out of natural items – Jennifer, Prairie School of DuPage
Print-making with paint and leaves – Beth, Hobson School

#LeafPlayIs… Sensory

I also usually create a fall sensory bin filled with tree seeds and leaves, I allow the children to add their own collections to this – Kathryn, The Children’s Garden at The Morton Arboretum
Using playdough with leaves, acorns and pinecones – Beth, Hobson School

#LeafPlayIs… Building Dexterity

Cutting leaves with scissors – Cara, Wildwood Nature Center, Park Ridge Park District
Hanging leaves with clothespins – Cara, Wildwood Nature Center, Park Ridge Park District
Sewing leaves together to make leaf garland – Beth, Hobson School