Parents' Guide to

Leafsnap

By Dana Anderson, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Leaf collecting goes high tech with free field guide app.

App iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad Free Education
Leafsnap Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this app.

  • Leafsnap App: Screenshot #1
  • Leafsnap App: Screenshot #2
  • Leafsnap App: Screenshot #3

Community Reviews

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age 15+

Based on 3 parent reviews

Bingara
Bingara Adult
January 24, 2019
age 18+

Disappointing

I photographed 2 leaves. One in particular is very distinctive. The app could not identify either. It appears to be US centric. Forget it if you live in Australia. or any where else. Neither of these plants are native to Australia so that cannot be the issue. I only grow edible plants but the app does not allow that information to be used. I have since found one is Oak Leaf Papaya-Papaya Berry.
Denise H.
Denise H. Adult
May 3, 2017
age 8+

waste of time

Yes, you have to put a leaf on a white background. I did so and snapped a picture 4 times, every time being told it wasn't on a white background. Gave up after the forth time.
See all 3 parent reviews

Privacy Rating Warning

  • Unclear whether personal information is sold or rented to third parties.
  • Personal information is shared for third-party marketing.
  • Personalised advertising is displayed.
  • Data are collected by third-parties for their own purposes.
  • User's information is used to track and target advertisements on other third-party websites or services.
  • Unclear whether this product creates and uses data profiles for personalised advertisements.
Learn more about our privacy ratings

What’s It About?

Nature-loving kids can use Leafsnap to help identify trees. Kids pick a leaf, lay it on a sheet of white paper, and snap an image with their device. When a list of similar-looking leaves appears on the side of the screen, kids compare details to choose a match -- some of which appear much more likely than others. Kids then choose their match and read more detailed information about the tree, save the image to their own catalog, and keep building their online leaf collection.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (3 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

This isn't a perfect leaf ID'ing tool, but LEAFSNAP can definitely help kids become more familiar with leaves and trees. And the catalog and games are solidly educational with beautiful photos. If you're taking your phone out on a hike to use this app as a field guide, be prepared to bring a white sheet of paper or something with you because you have to take the photos of leaves you want to identify on a white background. Currently, this app focuses on areas in the Eastern United States, but it promises to include leaves from the entire continental U.S. soon.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Walk a local park with your kid, choosing leaves of trees to snap for the app. Don't forget to bring a white sheet of paper for photo background.

  • Start a leaf collection the old fashioned way, taping leaves on paper and labeling them with the info you find on this app, as well as tactile info such as smell and feel of the leaves.

App Details

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