Fall is a fantastic season filled with cool weather, pumpkin patches, and colorful leaves falling from the trees. It's the perfect time to get creative and learn about the amazing changes happening all around us in nature. In this blog post, we'll show you how to make your very own Fall globe, a fun and educational craft that will help you understand why leaves change colors and fall from the trees during this magical season. So, put on your creative hats and let's get started on this exciting adventure into the world of Fall!
DIFFICULTY
Easy
MATERIALS
A glass or plastic jar with a lid (make sure it's clean and dry)
A small twig or branch (about the size of your jar's height)
Some colorful Fall leaves (real or fake)
Clear glue
Water.
INSTRUCTIONS
With the help of an adult, go outside and collect some beautiful Fall leaves, small twig or branch. Look for leaves of different colors and shapes. Don't forget to bring a basket or a bag to carry your treasures!
Now, it's time to prepare your jar. Remove the lid and set it aside. If you like, you can decorate the outside of the jar with stickers, paint, or markers to make it extra special. Let your creativity shine!
Take the small twig or branch you collected and shape it into a mini tree. An adult can use the glue to secure it inside the jar, pressing it onto the bottom. Make sure it stands up straight. Your tree will represent the tree in your Fall globe.
Carefully place your Fall leaves on the glue-covered jar, arranging them as if they are falling from the tree. You can add as many leaves as you like to create a colorful scene.
Ask an adult to help you fill the jar with water, leaving a little space at the top. Be careful not to overfill it, as you'll need room for your mini tree and any additional decorations.
Carefully screw the lid back onto the jar. Make sure it's tight to prevent any leaks and watch your globe become like a beautiful Fall day :)
Go outside and compare it with the real world.
QUESTIONS TO ASK
What are you seeing?
Why do leaves change color?
Why do leaves fall off from trees?
THE SCIENCE
Why Leaves Change Color: Leaves are like tiny factories that make food for the tree. They use sunlight, air, and water to make this food, and they have a special green color in them because of something called "chlorophyll" (say it like "klor-uh-fil"). Chlorophyll helps leaves make food and gives them their green color. Now, when the days start getting shorter and the weather gets colder, the tree knows that winter is coming. So, the tree sends a message to the leaves to stop making food and to take a little nap. When this happens, the chlorophyll in the leaves starts to disappear, and we can see the other colors that were hiding underneath. Imagine if you had a magic crayon that could change colors. When it's sunny and warm, the crayon is green (just like leaves). But when it gets colder and darker, the crayon might turn yellow, orange, or red. That's what happens to leaves! They change colors because they have a little "magic" inside them that shows different colors when the weather changes.
Why Leaves Fall Off Trees:
Leaves are like little helpers for the tree, but they can't stay out in the cold winter weather. So, the tree says, "Time to go, little leaves!" and makes a special layer where the leaf stem (or "twig") meets the branch. This layer is like a little door that closes. When it closes, it makes the leaf fall off.
It's kind of like when you have old clothes that don't fit anymore. You take them off and put them away until you need them again. That's what trees do with their leaves. They drop them in the fall so they can save energy and stay warm during the winter.
So, when you see leaves changing color and falling from the trees, it's because the tree is getting ready for winter, and the leaves are going to take a rest until spring when they wake up again.
And that, my little friends, is why leaves change color and fall off trees—because trees have their own special way of getting ready for the winter season!
In conclusion, this craft not only lets you have a fun and creative time but also helps you understand the magic of Fall and why leaves change colors and fall from the trees. So, grab your jar and head outside to collect some colorful leaves, and let your imagination soar as you explore the wonders of Fall in your very own Fall globe. Happy crafting!
SAFETY
Adult supervision required for any of these activities. Please supervise and make sure children participating are safe. Read instructions and the safety labels from each material.
DISCLAIMER
This globe will only last about a week if you use real leaves.
This blog post may contain affiliate links for your convenience. I may receive a commission for purchase made through links in this post.
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