One Spring I was greenhouse shopping, and a ledge of sweet potato vines caught my attention. The sales clerk suggested that the leaves looked like dinosaur footprints.
That thought stuck with me, and soon after I picked two uniquely colored sweet potato vines to add contrast to the flowering plants on my deck. I was also eager to use some leaves in dinosaur-themed nature play.
When the sweet potato vines had grown and poured over their pots, I snipped a few leaves off the plants to feature the activities below.
Dinosaur Themed Small World
Sweet potato vine leaves in a dinosaur-themed sensory tub. Rocks, twigs, plastic and marble eggs, and blue water complete the scene.
Painted Leaf T-Rex Footprints
One side of cut leaves are painted with tempera paints. Next the leaves are carefully pressed on paper to make T-Rex dinosaur footprints. Bronze and silver paints make the art project extra special!
Sorting T-Rex Footprint Shaped Leaves
An invitation to sort different sizes and colors of “dinosaur footprint” shaped leaves into “alike and different”. Large passionflower leaves add variety to this activity.
Activities with leaves are a welcome opportunity to include nature in art and play centers. Do you have a favorite activity to do with leaves or leafy plant you treasure? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below.
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© Annette Kaminsky
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