Spin Art Leaves
The Set Up
Set the salad spinner on the table and have sturdy card circles ready to drop in. Thick cardboard works beautifully. Plywood coasters or pre cut shapes are brilliant if you want pieces that last. Or keep it open ended and lay out plain paper so artists can draw and cut their own leaves or any shape at all. Fill squeezy bottles with poster or tempera paint. The Ikea MALA fluorescent ones are our favourite because a small squeeze goes a long way and they build hand strength. Plus you can pop the top off to keep refilling with any paint you like. Keep a tray or rack nearby for drying.
The Making
Place a shape in the basket. Add drizzles of paint. You could try a dot in the middle, then try a ring near the edge, then cross a few lines and see which spin you love best. Close the lid and give it a real spin. The reveal is the magic and just the best part! Lids lift, everyone leans in, and the colour has flown outward into bursts and spirals. Rotate the circle and spin again if you want more movement. If you're planning on hanging them, punching a hole beforehand is a little easier, but after the paint is dry works great too.
Variations
String a cluster of leaves into a garland or mobile. Clip them onto painted branches for a bright autumn bouquet. Build layers by spinning, drying, rotating, then spinning again. Try a tiny 'mask' with stickers or tape and peel them off after the spin for crisp lines inside the swirls.
Materials
Salad spinner
Circles of card or thick cardboard that fit the basket
Plywood coasters or pre cut shapes
Plain paper for drawing and cutting custom leaves
Refillable squeezy paint bottles
Poster or tempera paint
Scissors, hole punch, string or wool
Tray or rack for drying