Easy Fall Tree Painting for Kids

Kids love to paint and this Easy Fall Tree Painting For Kids is fun and only requires a few supplies including one that will surprise and delight your children! This craft is perfect for a rainy fall day.

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Painting Without Brushes

Painting without using a paintbrush is often encouraged in preschool and kinder aged children but as a former high school art teacher, I can assure you that kids of all ages will love this activity. Painting without a brush helps build coordination and fine motor skills and encourages creativity. Plus when you grab an alternative painting material, the excitement level is high which fosters longer engagement.

Alternative Painting Materials

Anything that will hold paint long enough to apply it to a surface can be used but these are a few of my favorite alternative painting materials:

Cotton swabs
Fingers/Toes
Bubble wrap
Flowers
Pine needle clusters
Toy car tires
Fruit (like apples sliced in half)
Celery
Broccoli
Potatoes (cut or carve to make a stamp)
Sponge
Comb
Toothbrush
Feather
Yarn
Marbles
Straw

Supplies needed for your fall tree painting

Card stock
Pencil
Free Printable Tree Pattern (optional)
Broccoli florets (fresh not frozen or thawed ones)
Craft paint – Red, Yellow, Orange
Markers
Paper plate

Directions for your Fall Tree Painting for Kids:

Print the Free Tree Pattern onto cardstock or provide pencils and cardstock for your child to draw their own tree. I drew a pencil tree for my two-year-old and let him outline it with a marker.
Place nickel-sized amounts of paint onto a paper plate. We used red, yellow and orange craft paint.
Dip the broccoli into the paint.
Apply the paint to the paper by dabbing the broccoli in an up and down motion.
Stop when you feel your tree has enough colorful leaves.
Allow the paint to dry completely before displaying it.

Tips for painting fall leaves with kids:

Cover your table with craft paper or a trash bag to protect the surface.
Younger children can remove their shirt or you may want to provide aprons. Cut the bottom off of a grocery store bag, pull it over your head and put your arms through the handles for a cheap disposable coverup for kids.
Keep baby wipes handy.
Remind kids to pounce the broccoli lightly rather than jamming onto the paper.
If your doing this activity with multiple children have each child sign their work in the corner before beginning.

Extended Learning Resources

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I love doing fun activities like this with my son but it is also important to me that we take advantage of every learning opportunity that we can. Check out these books to extend your learning about leaves and the autumn season.