Make realistic squish art leaves in pretty autumn hues using this simple printing technique and our fold-and-cut template.
This is a fun and easy kids’ art project for Autumn or Fall. It’s suitable for ages 6+, but younger kids could also make it with some adult help.
Q: What’s as pretty as leaves changing colour in Autumn?
A: Handmade squish art leaves!
Well, we think ours are almost as pretty anyway …
These leaves have been created using a similar technique to our squish art butterflies. The main difference with this version is that we’ve used Q-tips to scratch a pattern into paint rather than creating a pattern with Q-tip spots and dots.
I was impressed by how real-looking these paper leaves turned out!
There are six symmetrical leaf shapes to choose from in this template set, each of them included in two different sizes.
You can use your finished leaves in other art and craft projects, such as leaf crowns, wreaths or garlands, or simply to decorate for the season.
It’s important to work quickly when creating squish art prints so the paper doesn’t stick together and the print comes out clearer. To help with this, I’ve used sponge brushes (affiliate link) to apply a generous amount of paint fast.
Are you ready to get arty with paper and leaves?
How to make squish art leaves
You will need:
- Card stock in a range of Autumn hues such as green, orange, brown, red, yellow etc.
- Acrylic paint
- Scissors
- Sponge brushes
- Cotton buds/Q-tips
- Newspaper or similar to protect your table surface
- The squish art leaf templates, available from our printables store and TPT store
How To:
Print the leaf shapes to cardstock in assorted colours.
Fold along the fold lines and cut into leaves. Unfold.
Apply paint to one half of the leaf using a sponge brush. For best effect, create a gradient blend of two colours that contrast with the colour of your paper. Remember to work quickly so the paint is still properly wet while you create the print.
Use a cotton bud to scrape lines into the paint where the veins of the leaves would appear.
Fold your leaf in half, press together with your hand to get a solid print, then unfold carefully.
Repeat with all the leaf shapes.
Allow your leaves to dry, and you’re done.
We hope you have fun getting arty with leaves!
More Autumn Leaf Ideas for Kids
- Create beautiful paper leaf mosaics
- Here’s a pretty Leaf doodle art project
- Get creative with a simple DIY Nature craft construction set
