Nature Paintbrushes

What you need

• a few sticks
• leaves, grass and feathery plants from the garden or park
• masking tape
• washable paint
• a paper plate
• a big sheet of paper

How to do it

1. Go outside and collect a few short sticks and some leaves, grass and feathery plants.
2. Tape a bunch of leaves or grass to the end of each stick to make a brush.
3. Put some paint on the plate and lay the paper out flat.
4. Let them dip each brush and try it on the paper.
5. Look at the different marks each brush makes and talk about them.

Why it matters

Every brush makes a different mark, so they get to find out what a leaf, a feather plant and a bunch of grass each do.

What they're learning

Using a tool

Holding a stick brush and dabbing it is good practice for gripping.

Making marks

Each brush makes a new kind of mark they can see.

Noticing nature

Collecting the brushes means looking closely at what grows outside.

What to look for

Watch which brush they come back to. Their favourite is often the one that makes the biggest mess.

A tip

Check plants before you pick: skip anything with berries, thorns or sap. Wash hands afterwards.

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