Autumn Leaf Rubbings

Materials:

Nature Journal, crayons, a leaf that they collect

Activity:

In the woods or tree-filled park collect several samples of leaves. How are they the same? How are they different? Using the side of a peeled crayon place the leaf under the paper and gently rub the crayon over the leaf to create a leaf rubbing in your nature journal.

Younger: 

Younger children will enjoy making leaf rubbings and collecting leaves extend the activity by having them identify different colors the leaves have turned or have them try drawing their favorite leaf in a separate entry. 

Older:

Older children will benefit from taking a more detailed approach. Help them to notice the little imperfections in their leaf as they make a detailed drawing of it instead and encourage them to blend the colors of a multicolored leaf to try to match it accurately.

Take it Further:

Have a mini-lesson on why leaves change color for older kids or do a falling leaves unit for younger children. The book “Why do leaves change color” from the Lets Read and Find Out Science Series is great for explaining this concept to little ones and makes for a curiosity invoking read-aloud in the autumn leaves.

Then just for fun, I’ve also included a FREE Autumn Leaf Coloring Page that you can use to capture the fall colors in your area. Color each leaf a different shade that you find out on your nature walk. (Click on the image to download your coloring sheet)