DIY leaf print t-shirt

Any boring old t-shirt can be upcycled into a cool, custom piece of clothing with just a few leaves and some fabric paint. It is also a good way to find out what your child’s favorite trees and plants are. You can also teach them how they grow so big, and how plants and greenery are vital to a healthy, happy environment that breeds all kinds of life. Any activity that is fun, presents a chance to create a mess, and is a learning opportunity is always welcome!  

How to make leaf print t-shirts

You will need:

• Eco-friendly fabric paint of your choice
• An old T-shirt, preferably in a light shade
• Any kind of leaf you can find (this is a great opportunity to take your kid on a nature walk)
• Paintbrushes
• Paper plates
• Some old cardboard boxes
• Scrap paper/rags

Tip: Read the fabric paint instructions as some may need the t-shirt to be washed before painting

Steps:

• Find any kind of leaf you like from your garden or a nearby park 
• Spread scrap paper/rags on the table to catch any spills
• Insert a sheet of cardboard inside the t-shirt to prevent the paint from bleeding through to the back
• Place the leaf on a paper plate, and prepare to paint
• Paint one side of the leaf with any color you like (for best results, paint the veiny side of the leaf, makes for better impressions) 
• Once you paint the leaf, place the painted side on the t-shirt, smoothing it over gently with a rag. Make sure the leaf doesn’t move to get a clean leaf print 
• Gently peel the leaf away to reveal the print
• You can repaint the same leaf or a different leaf and repeat the same process on the t-shirt
• Go for any pattern you think will work best, or go nuts and make a whole forest! 

And there you have it! Get creative with your leaf print t-shirts!

Pro tip: avoid coating the leaf with too much paint as it will squish from the sides of the leaf when you place it on the t-shirt. If you accidentally brushed on too much paint on the leaf, simply blot the excess with a paper towel.

Printing leaves on T-shirts is a great opportunity to speak to your children about native plants. It also serves as a way for you to inculcate environmentally-conscious values in young children—it is never too early to start! Every day, we can do a little something to save our planet, like planting trees, recycling, and conserving water.

Explore byjuslearning.com today to find out how your child can learn by seeing, playing, and doing through an interactive app and hands-on activities on Magic Workbooks that encourage children to learn at their own pace alongside beloved Disney and Pixar characters and become lifelong learners.