The Leaf Man is a fall book about nature and imagination. Fall has come and Leaf Man is on the move! No one is quite sure where Leaf Man is heading, but we do know he follows the wind. It’s a whimsical book that features real leaves on each page! The Leaf Man sensory tray is the perfect book companion to get kids out in nature and expressing their creativity.
And, if you’re looking for more fall book activities, try this Little Yellow Leaf Handprint Craft!
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Don’t forget to grab The Leaf Man so you can read the book before setting up this activity!
Supplies You’ll Need For The Leaf Man Sensory Bin
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How To Make The Leaf Man Sensory Tray
1. Gather a variety of natural materials from outdoors, such as leaves, pinecones, acorns, sticks, and dried grasses. Choose pieces in different colors, shapes, sizes, and textures.
2. Place the materials into the sections of a divided tray. Keep similar items together or mix them for children to sort.
3. Read Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert and talk about how the illustrations use leaves and other natural materials to create people and animals.
4. Invite children to explore the materials in the tray. Encourage them to touch, compare, sort, and describe what they notice.
5. Challenge children to use the leaves, sticks, pinecones, and acorns to create their own Leaf Man or other nature characters.
Benefits Of The Leaf Man Sensory Tray
- Fine Motor Skills: Picking up, moving, and arranging small natural materials strengthens hand and finger muscles.
- Sensory Exploration: Children experience a variety of textures, shapes, colors, and weights through hands-on play.
- Creativity: Open-ended materials encourage children to invent their own characters and designs.
- Visual-Spatial Skills: Arranging loose parts helps children think about position, size, shape, and how pieces fit together.
- Language Development: Describing textures, colors, and creations introduces new vocabulary and encourages conversation.
- Nature Awareness: Exploring real leaves and natural objects encourages children to observe and investigate the world around them.
- Imaginative Play: Children can turn simple leaves and twigs into people.
More Fall Crafts And Activities
The Little Guys Handprint Craft
PrintThe Leaf Man Sensory Tray
Make a Leaf Man sensory tray inspired by the beloved book! This easy, hands-on fall activity is perfect for imaginative outdoor exploration.
- Prep Time: 15
- Total Time: 15
- Category: DIY, Fall
- Method: Step-by-Step
Materials
- Divided tray or sensory tray
- Assorted fall leaves
- Pinecones
- Acorns and acorn caps
- Small sticks and twigs
- Pine needles or dried grasses
- Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert
Instructions
- Gather a variety of natural materials from outdoors, such as leaves, pinecones, acorns, sticks, and dried grasses. Choose pieces in different colors, shapes, sizes, and textures.
- Place the materials into the sections of a divided tray. Keep similar items together or mix them for children to sort.
- Read Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert and talk about how the illustrations use leaves and other natural materials to create people and animals.
- Invite children to explore the materials in the tray. Encourage them to touch, compare, sort, and describe what they notice.
- Challenge children to use the leaves, sticks, pinecones, and acorns to create their own Leaf Man or other nature characters.
