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Nature · Thanksgiving · Seniors

Leaf rubbing cards

Fall leaves rubbed onto cards with crayons, so every vein shows up like magic as you color.

Leaf rubbing cards
LevelBeginner
AgesWith grandkids ages 3 and up
Time30 minutes
Cost$0 to $5
FallThanksgivingDollar storeLow messOutdoors

What you'll need

Materials

Tick them off as you find them.

Tools

How to make it

  1. Step 1: Collect leaves
    1

    Collect leaves

    Pick soft, fresh leaves. Dry crunchy ones break apart.

  2. Step 2: Tape a leaf down
    2

    Tape a leaf down

    Lay a leaf vein-side up on the table. Tape one corner of the paper over it.

  3. Step 3: Rub with the side
    3

    Rub with the side

    Hold a crayon on its side and rub over the leaf. The shape and veins appear.

  4. Step 4: Layer the colors
    4

    Layer the colors

    Rub a second color over part of it, like orange on red.

  5. Step 5: Mount on a card
    5

    Mount on a card

    Trim around the leaf print and glue it to the front of a card.

Edie's tip

Chunky, peeled crayons or block crayons are much easier to hold than thin ones, and they cover more ground.

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