Make bark rubbings.
©2007 Publications International, Ltd.
Bark and Leaf Rubbings
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.
Go to the next page to find out how you can build a safe bug trap.
