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Make a marvellous minibeast masterpiece in our NEW creepy crawlies colouring competition

acorn challengeCLUB challenge

Friday 30th September
 

Take a good look at your wall chart,
can you track down the squirrel
sniffing out acorns?

Do this week's challenge to discover
what he does next. 

 

Your challenge is to track down magical autumn leaves
that are changing colour 

   

The great autumn leaf hunt

Many trees are turning from green to fantastic shades of red, gold and orange right now.

How many different colours, shapes and sizes can you find?

VisitWoods logo   hunt in a wood near you

nature detectives wildlife club arrowwe went to...
 

Identify and tick them off with the autumn leaf sheet.  

this nature resource for kids is a pdf documentdownload this resource from the nature detectives wildlife websiteautumn leaf ID sheet
 

Print and make a leaf bag to collect them all in.

this nature resource for kids is a pdf documentleaf collecting and identification bagdownload this resource from the nature detectives wildlife websiteleaf collecting bag
 

Match them up and stick them on this leaf collection poster.

this nature resource for kids is a pdf documentstick on and identify the leaves you collectdownload this resource from the nature detectives wildlife websiteleaf collection poster
   

Take on the colour challenge - can you find leaves to match all of the colours on this printable card?

For an extra tricky challenge, see how many different coloured leaves you can match all from the same tree!

this nature resource for kids is a pdf documentcolour carddownload this resource from the nature detectives wildlife websiteautumn colour card    
 

Tell us what sort of leaves you collected - what colour, shape, size, the tree they were from...

nature detectives wildlife club arrownaturedetectives@woodlandtrust.org.uk
 

 

Why do leaves change colour?

Every autumn, deciduous trees put on a dazzling display of colour before our very eyes, but do you know why?

It's not actually magic, it's science and all to do with photosynthesis, involving chlorophyll, carotine, sugars, sunlight and temperature.

Read more in this factsheet.  

this nature resource for kids is a pdf documentwhy leaves change colourdownload this resource from the nature detectives wildlife websitewhy leaves change colour
 

 

Make a prediction

For the greatest variety of vibrant autumn colours, sunny, dry autumn days with cold nights are best, especially if after a dry summer.

Cloudy and rainy autumn days on the other hand, lead to muted autumn colours.

Think about the weather where you live - what do you predict autumn colour will be like around you?

Tell us, then keep watch over the next few weeks and let us know if you were right!

nature detectives wildlife club arrownaturedetectives@woodlandtrust.org.uk
 

  

Abracadabra!

Transform your leaves into autumn masterpieces.
 

Sun catchers

Make an autumnal sun catcher or leaf mobile to catch the sun and glow brilliantly.  

this nature resource for kids is a pdf documentautumn leaf sun catcherdownload this resource from the nature detectives wildlife websitesun catcher 
 

 

Giant snakes and flowers

Use your leaves, as well as autumn fruits and seeds, to make a huge outdoor nature collage. 

this nature resource for kids is a pdf documentsnakes and flowersdownload this resource from the nature detectives wildlife websiteleaf art ideas 1

this nature resource for kids is a pdf documentperfect patternsdownload this resource from the nature detectives wildlife websiteleaf art ideas 2  
 

Made a natural sculpture or piece outdoor art?

Enter it into the nature detectives art competition for your chance to win great prizes. 
 

 

 
squirrel pinching acorns 
  Joined in the great autumn
leaf hunt?

Help the squirrel store up nuts
for winter by sticking this sticker
over the squirrel on your CLUB poster.

Now you're ready to continue your
woodland adventure. Where will
next week's challenge take you...?
 

More leaf art ideas

Looking for even more autumn leaf ideas to fill up your weekend?

Have a go at these :O)
 

Golden leaf crowns  

Turn yourself into a prince or princess of the woods by making a leaf crown out of golden autumn leaves.

this nature resource for kids is a pdf documentdownload this resource from the nature detectives wildlife websiteleaf crowns

 

Leaf art sheets 

Great for colouring in, painting, making collages, stamping with real leaves and paint and doing natural rubbings.

this nature resource for kids is a pdf documentbeech leaf outlinedownload this resource from the nature detectives wildlife websitebeech leaf 

this nature resource for kids is a pdf documenthawthorn leafdownload this resource from the nature detectives wildlife websitehawthorn leaf 

this nature resource for kids is a pdf documentfallen oak leaf outlinedownload this resource from the nature detectives wildlife websiteoak leaf