19. Forest Animal Leaf Collage
Fallen leaves come in so many different shapes and sizes, many of which naturally resemble the ears, tails, and bodies of forest animals. A forest animal leaf collage is a wonderful way to encourage creative thinking and visual spatial skills in toddlers. It challenges them to look at natural objects and imagine how they can be combined to represent something else, like a clever fox, a prickly hedgehog, or a wise owl.
Collect a variety of dried leaves in different shapes, such as oak, maple, and birch. On a piece of heavy paper, guide your toddler to arrange the leaves to look like animals. For example, a large round leaf can be a hedgehog’s body, while long, pointed leaves can be a fox’s ears. Help them glue the leaves in place, and then let them use markers or googly eyes to add facial features and details to their woodland creatures.