Wax-Resist Leaf Art

finished craft

This beautiful artwork mixes science and nature to produce something beautiful!

Age: 4+

Duration: 10 minutes (not including drying time)

Learning Outcomes: Explore color diffusion, wax resist, and practice fine motor skills.

You’ll Need:

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Start by choosing your favorite leaf stencil, a fun frame, some watercolor colors, and grab a sheet of color diffusing paper!

step 1

The leaf stencils are small, so I like to use just 1/4 of a sheet per wax-resist project. Start by cutting your sheet of color diffusing paper into four.

step 2

Next, place your rubbing plate underneath your quarter sheet of paper, and rub with the long side of a crayon.

step 3

For the next step, remove the rubbing plate, and make sure your color diffusing paper is on a tray. Using the pipettes, sprinkle liquid watercolor over your sheet. Then let the sheet dry. For more ideas about color diffusing paper projects, click any of these links. For an explanation as to why this works, check out this post!

While the sheet is drying, decorate your frame!

When your frame is ready and your wax-resist rubbing dry, tape your rubbing to the back of your frame to complete this beautiful art!

step 8

This craft will ONLY work with crayons, because wax is water-resistant, and will show up even after the paper has been saturated with watercolor paint. Don’t worry if when you make this craft your crayon appears to disappear when you add the liquid watercolor. It will reappear as the paint dries!

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Crafty Leaf Wreath

finished craft

This fabulous fall craft uses leaves that will never crumble away!

Is rain or snow keeping you indoors this fall? Did last year’s real leaf wreaths crumble to dust? Never fear, this exciting variation on a school craft staple will last almost forever!

Age: 5+

Duration: 10 minutes

Learning Outcomes: Create a beautiful take-home craft. Exercise fine motor skills.

You’ll Need:

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step 1

This simple craft is quick but lots of fun! Start by cutting the center out of your paper plate. There are a couple of strategies to make this step easier. A parent or teacher can cut a slit in the middle of the plate with a craft knife to give kids access with scissors. Alternatively, a pen or sharpened pencil can be used to carefully bore a hole in the center of the plate. This will be the base for your wreath.

step 2

Once your base is cut out, pop out the die-cut leaves.

step 3

Once your leaves are popped out, you have a couple of options. Very young kids can simply use loops of tape to secure their leaves to their base. Challenge older students to add some dimension to their wreaths by gently curling and folding their leaves. This adds visual interest, and a realistic dimension!

step 4

Once your leaves are all secured, students can write their names on the back of the paper plate base so that they can take their wreaths home after they have been displayed in the classroom!

step 5

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