Learn how to make Fall Leaves Silhouette Art using simple craft supplies. Not only is this a fun craft for kids to make this Autumn, the picture also looks beautiful hanging up on your window with the sunlight shining through it.
If you want to make your Fall themed lessons a breeze, then check out the Fall Activity Pack. It’s filled with math and literacy centers, fine motor activities and arts and crafts templates. All of which are aligned with preschool learning standards. Check it out today.
Disclosure: Adult supervision is required for all activities at all times. Some of the links provided in this blog are affiliate links. I will be paid a commission if you use this link to make a purchase.
More Fall Themed Arts and Crafts to try
Autumn is always filled with amazing colors. Use them along with these other Fall themed kids craft ideas to make some amazing artwork with your kids.
- Scrape Painted Fall Leaves
- Fingerprint Apple Tree Craft
- Fall Leaves Stamp Art
- How to Preserve Fall Leaves for Crafts
- Turkey Leaf Craft Template
For more ideas, take a look at these 30 Amazing Fall Arts and Crafts for Kids.
Materials Needed
- Paper
- Red, yellow, orange, gold and black paint
- Paintbrushes
- Cardboard
- Pen
- Scissors
- Cookie sheet
How to make Fall Leaves Silhouette Art
Make the background
1. Place your sheet of paper onto a cookie sheet.
This is optional. I like to use a cookie sheet because it helps to catch all of the paint that goes over the edge of the paper.
I find it very helpful to have a specific cookie sheet that I only use for art purposes. But if you don’t have one handy, don’t worry. Just clean up any paint that spills over.
2. Dot paint all over your page.
I chose the fall colors of red, orange, yellow and gold. But of course, you can use whatever colors you like. Let your kids choose and encourage them to express their own creativity.
3. Use a paintbrush to spread the paint all over the pages.
You really don’t need a lot of paint for this art project. You also don’t need as many colors as I chose.
For example, if you only have red and yellow, use those. You’ll find that the colors will mix as you spread the paint all over the page and you’ll end up with a nice variation of color.
4. Leave it to dry.
Make the leaves
You can always just head outside and gather some real fall leaves for you to use during this craft activity, instead of making your own. If, like me, you live surrounded by evergreen trees, here are the steps to take to make your own.
5. Take a piece of cardboard and draw leaves on it.
A used the side of an old cereal box to make my leaves. Raid your recycling and use whatever you have on hand.
6. Cut out the leaves.
Use a pair of scissors to cut out the leaves. Older children should have no problem with this step. However, if you’re doing this activity with toddlers and preschoolers they may need help. Especially with the more complex leaf shapes.
I made four leaves in total, with different shapes because I wanted to show you how the different types of leaves look in one picture.
However, you may decide to do one giant leaf instead, and use a single big leaf in the center of your whole picture. This option may be easier if you’re doing this activity with a whole class, as it’s faster and easier.
Put them together
7. Arrange the leaf cutouts.
Place your leaf cutouts on top of your, now dried, background. You can also use blu tack or sticky tape to secure the cardboard leaves into place. However, I found that it was just as easy to hold them down with one hand while painting with the other.
8. Paint your picture black.
I used black paint to cover the entire picture, although you may prefer to choose a different color. Even a brown or dark red would create the silhouette effect, while still staying within a Fall color theme.
9. Remove the cardboard cutouts.
While the paint is still wet, remove the leaf templates. If you wait for the paint to dry before you remove the cardboard, it’ll be much harder to remove and may even take some of the paint from your page with it.
10. Let your picture dry.
When your picture is dry hang it on the classroom wall or even on the window. The sun will shine through the colors and make the leaves glow.
What you’re Learning
Creativity
Arts and crafts are a great way to use your imagination and then create something that represents that idea in the real world. This is important not only for artistic pursuits, like painting or music, but also for problem solving. Which is an essential life skill that everyone needs to develop.
Science
This activity is a wonderful opportunity to talk to your children about the different seasons. Discuss why the trees lose their leaves and why leaves change color.
Fine Motor Skills
Fine motor skills refer to the small muscles in the hand and fingers. Developing these skills are important in being able to write when the kids go to school, as well as being able to complete tasks independently. (For example, dressing and feeding themselves).
Holding a paintbrush, cutting with scissors and drawing leaf outlines are all going to help young kids develop:
- Pincer grip
- Hand-eye coordination
- Dexterity
- Hand strength
Planning and Organization
This Fall leaf silhouette craft has several steps that need to be done in a specific order for this picture to work. For example, you need to cut out the cardboard leaf templates first, before applying the black paint.
Organizing the required materials beforehand, as well as planning out each step before you do it, is a great way for kids to strengthen their executive functioning skills.
Are you going to make this Fall Leaves Silhouette Art with your kids?
Don’t forget to pin the idea for later.
87 Pages of Fall themed play based learning activities. Perfect for preschool and kindergarteners.
