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Home » Seasonal Science » How to Preserve Leaves

How to Preserve Leaves

Modified: Aug 2, 2019 · Published: Oct 14, 2015 by Emma Vanstone · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

We’ve been collecting lovely Autumn leaves over the last few weeks and noticed how they seem to curl up and become crunchy after just a few days, so we thought we’d try a few different methods to learn how to preserve leaves.

Autumn Leaves

How to preserve leaves

Fresh leaves

PVA glue

Sticky back plastic

Anything else you want to try

Instructions for preserving leaves

Select three leaves of a similar size.

Paint one with PVA glue on both sides and leave to dry.

Cover one with sticky back plastic on both sides and press down gently to seal.

Leave one leaf as it is – this is the control

Observe the changes over a few days.

Did it work?

We found our control leaf curled up and became crunchy after 3 days.

The PVA covered leaf stayed softer, but did curl up a little.

The sticky back plastic leaf remained flat.

Leaves, conkers and pinecones

Why do you think the leaves dry out?

Can you think of anything else we could try to preserve the leaves?

We used our new found knowledge to create some fun leaf people, hopefully preserving them in the sticky back plastic.

What do you think?

Man made from a leaf and contact paper.
Contact paper and leaf people - How to preserve leaves with contact paper

If you liked this activity take a look at our huge collection of autumn and fall science ideas too!

Preserving leaves and making leaf people - How to preserve leaves - autumn science for kids #leafcrafts #autumnscience #fallscience

Last Updated on August 2, 2019 by Emma Vanstone

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Safety Notice

Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Annie at Fable & Folk

    October 20, 2015 at 9:36 am

    Oh these are so cute! I love the idea of making leaf men like this. One for half term next week me thinks! Thank you for joining in Emma x

    Reply
  2. Rohit Shitole

    October 24, 2015 at 3:17 pm

    Maybe the leaf in plastic stayed soft because that leaf managed to keep it’s moisture. Just a guess, what do you think ?
    Anyway nice article. Brings back old memories 🙂

    Reply

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