- Activity Time: 15-30 minutes
- Adult Involvement: Medium
Make Fall Leaf Decoupage Lanterns and Vases
In this science activity, kids explore leaves and make a pretty lantern.
A leaf is defined as an above-ground plant organ that is specialized for photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is the process by which plants use energy from the sun to make food. Think of leaves as the food factory for a plant.
There are many different parts of the leaf; download a leaf picture diagram here. The blade is the broad, flat part of the leaf. Leaves are shaped this way so that more of the chlorophyll in the leaf can be exposed to the sunlight. The epidermis is the outer covering of the leaf. Sometimes this covering is thin and flimsy like most leaves we see in this area. Other times, the epidermis is waxy and thick, like the covering of a holly leaf. Veins look like little channels that run along the back of the leaf; they are small tubes that allow for the movement of sugar and water within the leaf to keep it alive. The petiole is the short stem that attaches the leaf to the main branch. Finally, trichomes are small hairs that can be on the underside of some leaves. These can help prevent water loss in a leaf by holding onto humidity.
There are 2 types of leaves: simple and compound. Simple leaves have an undivided blade (or only small indentations), while compound leaves have blades that are divided into smaller leaflets (a central vein with many leaflets stemming from it).
A botanist is a type of biologist who studies plants. There are many different types of botanists such as a plant physiologist who studies photosynthesis and how plants grow. There are also plant ecologists who study how plants interact with their environment.
Materials
- Leaves - 5-10 of this item per student
- Recycled glass jar - 1 of this item per student
- Spray adhesive - 1 of this item per class
- Mod Podge - 1 of this item per class
- Paint brush - 1 of this item per student
- Tea candle (optional) - 1 of this item per student
- Ribbon or string (optional)
Instructions
Go for a nature walk and collect lots of pretty leaves. Make sure to collect some that are the right size to fit on your jar.
When you are finished collecting, examine all of your leaves together. Use a magnifying glass if you have one. How are the leaves the same? How are they different? Download and print this leaf picture diagram to use in identifying the parts of the leaves.
Be sure your recycled glass jar is clean inside and out. Spray the jar with spray adhesive; you can do the whole jar at once or spot by spot as you add the leaves.
Lay your leaves flat against the jar in a cool pattern.
When you are finished, paint the leaves and the entire jar with Mod Podge; this will hold the leaves down and help any overspray from the adhesive blend in. Set aside to dry.
When dry, consider decorating the mouth of the jar with string or ribbon. Add a tea candle to make a lantern, or use as a vase for pretty flowers!
