Introduce children to the concept of photosynthesis with this fun, low-prep painting activity. All you’ll need for this easy art project is leaves, pen, and paper!
Art projects are the perfect avenue for kids to question, explore, and discover the world around them.
In this easy art project for kids, children will be introduced to the process of photosynthesis by painting with chlorophyll.
Yep. Chlorophyll. That chemical that gives plants their green color.
Photosynthesis is how plants transform light energy into chemical energy. Chlorophyll is the magical chemical that enables plants to change energy from light into a sugar called glucose.
Here’s how we used chlorophyll to make a painting.
Supplies:
- Leaves (soft ones work best)
- Heavy drawing paper
- Pen or Marker
Directions:
- Collect fresh leaves from outdoors. You may find that the softer leaves will leave behind the most chlorophyll on your paper.
- Ball up a leaf and rub it hard against your paper, painting a green shape.
- Repeat step two, using the chlorophyll from different leaves to paint shapes onto your paper.
- Add simple details with pen or marker to change your shapes into trees.
As your children paint with chlorophyll, you can discuss which types of leaves are working best. Which plants leave behind the most chlorophyll? Why do you think that is? What other types of plants might you want to try painting with next?
If you loved this nature activity for kids, you might enjoy creating these Nature Wands or this Clay Nature Tracker.
