Explore Shapes, Patterns, and the Wonder of Nature!

Let’s go on a sunny summer walk for a leaf hunt! This is a fun and educational adventure for kids of all ages. This outdoor activity turns a simple walk into a science quest—encouraging curiosity, observation, and a love for nature. You can even just hunt in the backyard or around the block, no need to take a big trip for this nature project. 

In today’s blog, we’ll guide you through your own Leaf Hunt, teaching kids to spot different leaf shapes and arrangements. Plus, we’ve got fun diagrams to help them identify what they find and a certificate they can earn when they complete the hunt!

Get your free printable here with diagrams and a Dragonwing Valley leaf scout certificate! 

🎒Pack These in Your Leaf Hunt Kit:

• A reusable bag for collected leaves
• Notebook or journal
• Magnifying glass
• Crayons or pencils
• Dragonwing Valley Leaf printable with diagrams to help identify what you find! Download here

🌿 Step 1: Look at the Leaf Shapes!

Not all leaves are shaped the same! As you explore, look closely at each leaf and try to match it to one of these shapes. Use your printable leaf guide to check off the ones you find!

🍂 Cordate  (Heart-Shaped)  These leaves look just like a valentine—with a deep notch at the base and a rounded top. Try to find one shaped like a heart!

🍂 Ovate  (Egg-Shaped)  Ovate leaves are wide at the bottom and taper to a gentle point at the top—like an upright egg.

🍂 Obovate  (Upside-Down Egg)  This shape is the opposite of ovate: wider at the top and narrower at the base, like a flipped egg!

🍂 Oblong  (Long with Parallel Sides)  Oblong leaves are longer than they are wide, with mostly parallel sides and rounded ends—kind of like a stretched-out oval.

🍂 Oval (Classic Oval Shape)  Oval leaves are evenly rounded on both ends and widest in the middle—just like the shape of an actual oval!

🍂 Lanceolate  (Lance-Shaped)  These leaves are shaped like a lance or spear—long and narrow, with a pointed tip and wider base.

🍂 Elliptical  (Football-Shaped)  Elliptical leaves are shaped like a football—widest in the middle and narrowing equally toward both ends.

🍂 Spatulate  (Spoon-Shaped)  These leaves are shaped like a spoon: wide and rounded at the tip and narrow near the base.

🍂 Oblanceolate  (Upside-Down Lance)  Oblanceolate leaves flip the lanceolate shape upside down—they’re widest near the tip and taper down toward the base.

🍂 Obcordate (Upside-Down Heart) This is a heart shape turned upside down! Obcordate leaves have the notch at the top and the pointy end at the base.

🍂 Linear (Straight and Narrow) Long, narrow, and blade-like—linear leaves are super skinny and often found on grasses or lilies.

📌 Printable Tip: Bring our Leaf Shape Guide with you! It includes labeled diagrams and checkboxes so kids can track which shapes they find during their nature walk. Laminate it or bring a clipboard for extra fun!

🌿 Step 2: Discover Leaf Arrangements!

Now that we’ve looked at shapes, let’s see how the leaves grow on the stem. This is called leaf arrangement, and there are some really cool patterns to spot.

🌱 Unifoliate:  Just one single leaf on a stem—simple and sweet! This can sometimes trick people into thinking it’s not part of a larger compound leaf.

🌱 Opposite:  Leaves grow in pairs across from each other on the stem—like little arms sticking out.

🌱 Alternate:  Leaves grow one at a time on alternating sides of the stem—like a zigzag pattern.

🌱 Odd Pinnate:  An odd number of leaflets arranged in a row, with one leaflet at the tip. Think of it as a mini feather.

🌱 Even Pinnate:  Leaflets arranged in pairs along the stem—but there’s no lone leaflet at the end, so the number is even.

🌱 Bipinnate:  This one is fancy! Each leaflet is divided again into smaller leaflets. It looks like a double feather—very cool to spot on ferns and some tropical plants.

📌 Observation Tip: When you find a compound leaf (with multiple leaflets), gently trace it back to the main stem to see how it’s arranged.

🧠 Bonus Activity: Create a Leaf Journal! Bring a clipboard, colored pencils, and some tape. For each leaf you find:

• Draw or trace the shape.
• Label the shape and arrangement.
• Tape the leaf into your journal (or press it at home).
• Try to identify the tree it came from using ID apps or google image lookup!

🍁 Wrap-Up: What Did You Discover?

After your hunt, gather together and compare your leaves.

🌿 Which shape was easiest to find?

🍂 Which arrangement surprised you the most?

Every leaf tells a story—from the tree it grew on to the unique pattern it followed. By learning about leaf shapes and arrangements, kids aren’t just collecting leaves—they’re building observation skills, practicing logical reasoning, and developing a deeper appreciation for the natural world around them.

So celebrate your discoveries, share your favorites, and don’t forget to award each explorer with their very own Leaf Scout Certificate from Dragonwing Valley!

🌟 Don’t forget to check out our free printable leaf guide and certificate of completion to celebrate your Leaf Scout! Download here!