Leaf and Surface Rubbings

Did you make leaf rubbings as a kid? Yes of course you did... it is a classic. There is something about the whole discovery aspect that makes rubbings so much fun. I keep a small batch of cheap, waxy crayons just for rubbings, these crayons are useless for drawing but are perfect for rubbings. Oil pastels (my favourite type of crayon) do not make very good rubbings. I don't know why.

Rainbow leaf rubbings – ferns work really well

After a morning of ripping leaves out of the garden for rubbings I then encouraged the kids to roam the house with paper and crayon in hand. I sent them on a hunt for interesting textures. It surprised me how much they liked this. They took rubbings of the textured glass in the doors, the tiles in the fireplace, the speakers on the tv, the nail holes in the floor boards, the bottom of a plastic tub, the top of a stool and the tiles in the bathroom. It kept them very busy and happy on a rainy afternoon.

My next plan is to venture down the street with paper and crayons and see what textures we can find in the neighbourhood.

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Linked to Tuesday Tots and Kids Get Crafty