The crafts for kids classic—leaf rubbing—made even easier for children (and more fun for adults too). No more paper slipping around while chunky little toddler, or older fingers, try to rub the leaves' unique shapes and textures with a crayon. Our toddler and I found a better way; and it still involves the best part—going on a scavenger hunt together to find those jewel-toned autumn leaves.
The way leaf rubbing is usually done: Leaves are collected and placed on a table. A piece of paper is placed over the leaves. The side of an unwrapped crayon is used to lightly rub the paper over the leaves until the vein details appear.
This is where our toddler's chubby, small hands could not hold the paper down tightly, to keep the leaves from sliding around. Clear rubbings were elusive; he could manage only smeary scribbles. So, together, we came up with a better way.
our better way to make leaf rubbings
1 Collect leaves right before creating your art project. Leaves must be pliable and lay flat, and not curled and dried-out (although the glue stick used in our method will add moisture and flatten slightly dried leaves your child really wants to use). A child's idea of a beautiful leaf and what you choose to pick up may differ. Our little one brought home many with holes and missing parts; and I thought it was wonderful he found beauty in the imperfections.
2* Apply glue stick to the surface of the leaves (either side); and adhere the leaves to a piece of plain copy-weight paper. Spread glue stick on the other side of the leaves and place another sheet of paper on top. Your leaves are now glued between the two pieces of paper.
3* Staple the four corners of these papers together.
4 Using beeswax crayons, or the side of a crayon you have unwrapped, rub gently over the paper until leaf details appear. The beeswax crayons we used work well for this children's activity because they have wide, flat edges ideal for leaf rubbing. They are also easiest for small hands to handle.
5* Flip and repeat on the other side for two pages of rubbings!
6 Take papers apart and remove leaves. Then, make more! Our toddler wanted to make this art project again and again.
*Our added steps make leaf rubbing extra fun. Our toddler loves to use the glue stick and stapler and there was no frustration from leaves or paper sliding around.
Leaf rubbings are a must-make project for so many reasons. Collecting the leaves are a wonderful way to spend time together outdoors. It's a way to talk about the changing seasons. Leaf rubbings bring out leaf details, giving us a closer look at nature, while bringing us closer to our little ones. ©heather cahoon • wordplayhouse®
