Parts of a Leaf: Playdough Craft & Early Science Activity for Kids

What You'll Need

• Green playdough • Brown playdough (for the stem/petiole) • A real leaf with clearly visible parts (e.g., a large, intact leaf with a stem) • Printable leaf diagram/worksheet (from the provided PDF, optional) • Googly eyes and small pieces of red/white playdough for features (optional, for fun) • Craft stick or dull knife (optional, for shaping playdough)

Getting Started

Gather all your materials in a clear workspace. If using the printable, have it ready for reference. Find a real leaf with a noticeable stem, midrib, and blade for observation.

How to Do This Activity

• Observe a Real Leaf: Start by closely examining the real leaf with your child. Point out and name the different parts: the sharp 'Tip', the broad 'Blade' (the main flat part), the 'Veins' (lines running through the blade), the thick central 'Midrib', the 'Petiole' (the small stalk connecting the blade to the stem), and the 'Stem' (the main support structure). • Reference the Diagram: Use the provided leaf diagram (from the printable or the image) to reinforce the names and locations of each part. Discuss briefly what each part might do for the leaf or plant. • Create with Playdough: Encourage your child to use the green playdough to create the main 'blade' of their leaf. Guide them to shape it similar to the real leaf or the diagram. • Add Leaf Parts: Using the playdough, help them add the 'midrib' and 'veins' to their playdough leaf. Use brown playdough to form the 'petiole' and 'stem' and attach it to the leaf blade. • Make it Fun (Optional): If desired, add googly eyes and small playdough mouths to give the leaf a playful character, as shown in the example image. • Compare and Discuss: Once the playdough leaf is complete, compare it to the real leaf and the diagram. Discuss how well they replicated the parts and what they learned about each section. • Worksheet Activity (Optional): If you printed the worksheet, have your child trace the outline of the leaf or color it in, further reinforcing the shapes and structures.

Tips for Parents

• Use simple, clear language when explaining the parts of the leaf. • Encourage your child to touch and feel the real leaf to understand its texture and structure. • Ask open-ended questions like, “What do you think the veins do?” or “How is your playdough leaf similar to the real one?” • Reinforce learning by pointing out leaf parts on other plants you encounter during walks.

Ways to Extend

Collect different types of leaves during an outdoor walk and compare their shapes, sizes, and how their parts might vary. You can also press and dry leaves to create a 'leaf collection' or a nature journal. For older children, research the specific function of each leaf part in photosynthesis.