This easy leaf rubbing art with crayons is a wonderful way for kids of all ages to explore nature, learn about different kinds of leaves, and create some really cool nature art.
We spent one of the last beautiful fall days out on a nature hike, soaking in the colors and collecting leaves for a fun project my boys had been begging to do, leaf rubbing art! We packed white paper, crayons, and clipboards in their adventure packs and turned our snack break into a little outdoor art session.
This fall we have been busy with so many fall crafts including these leaf lanterns, leaf spray painting art and leaf window clings. This leaf rubbing craft was a perfect addition to all the fall fun we have been having and I love that it is something we can do in the spring and summer too!
I loved that my 5 year old was just as interested in this craft as my 11 year old was, I even pulled out a crayon and started creating with them, it’s a really great craft for kids of all ages. If you are looking for a simple way to enjoy the changing seasons and make some fun (super easy) nature art this easy leaf art is the perfect project!
Materials Needed
- A variety of leaves (see how many different kids you can find)
- White paper
- Crayons
- Clipboards (for a sturdy surface if crafting outside)
How To Do Crayon Leaf Rubbings
Collect your leaves, you can look for different shapes, sizes and textures of leaves
Place your leaf with the veins facing up on a hard surface, we often will use books or clipboards for this
Cover your leaf with a sheet of paper making sure your leaf is smooth and flat
Now the fun part, using the side of a crayon, gently rub across the top of the paper until the leaf shape appears
Try different colors of crayons to mimic fall colors or layer shades for a fun look
Why We Love This Craft
- It gets kids outside, anything that gets us into nature is a win for us
- You can adapt it for all ages:
- Challenge your older kids to try to find leaves from a variety of different trees using these leaf identification cards to figure out what kind of leaves they have found
- Let younger kids explore different textures, colors and shape recognition
- It is a really fun process art activity, there is no wrong way to do this craft giving kids creative freedom (here is more info on why process art is so important for kids!)
Tips For Great Prints
Try to find leaves with strong veins, however it is fun to compare leaves with light veins and strong ones when you do the leaf rubbings
If you leaf moves it may be helpful to tape it down on your clipboard
Don’t rub too hard, sometimes it is harder to see the leaf outline when you push too hard with your crayon
We hope your kids love this leaf art activity! Happy creating!
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