Fall Theme Activities (Leaf Science Experiment)

We collected leaves in the woods to do a science experiment from education.com on why leaves change colors.  This was such a great activity because we went over the types of leaves (let’s find a maple leaf, oak leaf, etc.)

Then we chopped up the leaves, put them in glass cups, added rubbing alcohol and hot water.  Then after a half-hour we put in coffee filters to see what other colors are present in a leaf.

What huge sycamore leaves!!

I explained to the kids that chloropylls (the green colors) hide the other pigments that are present in the leaf.  In the fall, leaves stop producing chlorophyll and it’s easier to see the other substances that are present such as cartenoids.  I asked LD what “cartenoids” sounds like (he said “carrots”) and I asked him what colors it might produce… orange and yellow.  That was our simple explanation for why leaves change colors. Other pigments include xanthophylls (yellow) and anthocyanins (red).

 

For more detail about this experiment go to education.com.

You might also enjoy these fall themed posts:

• Fall Themed Packets for 3-6 Year Olds
• If your kids are a bit older, they might enjoy these Fall-Themed Skip Counting Mazes I made:

  

ou might be interested in these posts for 3-5 year olds: