Bark and leaf rubbings can be an simple way to collect the many interesting patterns. Try this easy outdoor activity for kids on a dry day, because wet tree bark can make your paper tear.
What You’ll Need:
- Large crayon or colored chalk
- Thin paper
- Trees
- Hair spray
- Craft glue
- Notebook
- Pen
Step 1: Peel the paper from a large crayon, or use a thick piece of sidewalk chalk.
Step 2: Press a sheet of thin paper up against the bark of a tree.
Step 3: Gently rub the side of the crayon or chalk on the paper until the pattern of the bark shows.
Step 4: Compare rubbings from different trees. Which bark patterns make the nicest rubbings? Can you tell which rubbing came from which kind of tree?
Step 5: Glue your rubbings in a scrapbook to make a “Bark Book.” Include some interesting facts about the trees.
Leaf Rubbings
Step 1: Collect interesting leaves, and lay them flat on a hard, smooth surface.
Step 2: Cover the leaves with paper, and rub the side of the crayon or chalk on the paper.
Step 3: Ask an adult to spray the pictures with hair spray to keep the chalk from smearing.