Why do leaves change color?
Ooh, leaves are green because of a helper that catches sunlight.
Pip’s answer
- Ooh, leaves are green because of a helper that catches sunlight.
- In fall there is less sun, so the tree stops making that green helper.
- The green fades away, and hidden yellows and oranges show up, like a surprise!
Try it together
Can you flutter your hands down like a falling leaf?
For grown-ups
Leaves are green because of chlorophyll, which the tree constantly rebuilds while it is busy making food. In autumn, shorter days and cooler nights tell the tree to stop. As the chlorophyll breaks down, yellow and orange pigments that were there all along show through, and some trees make new red pigments too.
Ask your child: How many different leaf colors can we find on our next walk?
More questions kids ask
- 🌱Why do plants need sunshine?
- ❄️Why is it cold in winter?
- 🌨️Why are snowflakes shaped like stars?
- 🌻Why do sunflowers face the sun?
- 🌱Why do seeds grow?
- 🍎Why do apples grow on trees?
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