Art Projects
Math & 123s
SciencePreschoolersGrade SchoolKindergartners17 Comments
Add a twist of excitement creating art with leaf rubbings while adding in learning with a captivating leaf matching game in the mix!
This innovative approach not only adds an element of fun but also fosters cognitive development in an engaging and memorable way.
First of all, I cannot believe we’ve never done crayon leaf rubbings in the past!
These were so cool to watch come to life.
Of course, I added a little learning twist to this simple crayon art project, too.
I turned plain ol’ leaf rubbings (which really aren’t so plain, if you’ve never done it, what are you waiting for? Totally cool) into a matching game for the kids.
Leaf Rubbings: A Fun Outdoor To Indoor Art Activity for Kids
To prep the activity, I started off wandering through our yard with Louis while the older two were busy playing.
I searched for unique leaves on the plants that I had in the yard. More than just a regular leaf. Leaves that could be easily identified as different from the others.
I made sure to get two of each of every kind of leaf I had.
Prep the Leaf Rubbings Papers
Then, I taped one set of the leaves onto pieces of paper. Far enough apart that they didn’t overlap and they had plenty of room.
Don’t add too much tape, I found that the tape edge rubbed through as well.
Before the boys joined me in the room, I turned the paper over and taped it to the table.
They had no idea that there were leaves underneath them! It would be total surprise as they made their rubbings!
Start with the Leaf Rubbing Magic!
With a crayon, the leaves came to life on the blank paper.
I previously unwrapped a few broken crayons we had lying around. Henry and George rubbed the paper using the side of the crayons. Coloring it in and magically drawing leaves of all different sorts!
Here’s 35 other ideas for crayons too.
Play a Matching Game with the 2nd Set of Leaves
And then it was time to guess.
I had the second set of leaves waiting for the boys to match up to their leaf rubbings.
Ask your child:
- What does the leaf look like?
- What shape is the leaf? Is it long or more round?
- What are the edges like? Are they smooth or jagged?
- What do the lines of the leaf (the veins) look like?
Some leaves were obvious and the boys found their match in a second.
Others were very close. They couldn’t be determined until the other leaves had been matched, just to be sure.
More nature ideas to try:
Have you ever done Crayon Rubbing Art like this with other objects?
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Esther says
Hi Jamie,
Thanks for the leaf program, I used to do that als kids. I have done something like this for the fathers’s day and put it in a frame. We did the leaf coloring today, he loves it when he saw the leaves coming up when coloring and of course I asked hem to do the leaf matching. To tell me which is which, he was able to do the matching. For his age, he did fantastic. Love to do things with hem, because that is the moments for mother and child and am his first teacher, love to play and spend time with hem.
Thanks and God bless,
Esther peters
Devany LeDrew says
What fun! I love how your creative twist breathed new life into this classic activity! We’ll be trying this soon!
Anne at Left Brain Craft Brain says
I love leaf rubbings! I remember doing them as a kid but haven’t tried them with my girl yet. Thanks for reminding me how much fun they are :)
Jacquie says
I’m so glad you tried leaf rubbings! Aren’t they just the best — you can see so much more in the rubbing than on the leaf which I love (like you outlined in your questions). And the matching component you added is just great!
Ok, next up for you is tree bark rubbings! :)
Jamie Reimer says
Oh you’re twisting my arm Jacquie :) We’ll have to try bark rubbings!