Fossil Crafts

Take kids or yourself on a nature walk. Take in the beauty of the outdoors and decide what you can take home with you for a nature journal. Be sure it's all right to collect leaves, acorns, rocks, and whatever else you find from your nature walk.

Make Leaf Rubbings

Maybe the easiest fossil craft is to make leaf rubbings. Gather a few sturdy leaves. Choose a few colors of crayons and remove the paper from the crayons. Note: Larger crayons are preferred because they hold up better. Smaller crayons may break but will work.

You'll also need paper. Fold it to make journal pages, if desired, before doing the leaf rubbings. Choose lightweight paper, like copier paper, so the rubbings come through and show all the leaf's details.

Place the leaf on a flat table then place the paper on top of the leaf. Use the side of the crayon and rub the paper where the leaf is and the shape and detail of the leaf will appear before your eyes! Be sure to rub along the sides and edges of the leaf so the entire leaf shows through on the rubbing.

Label the image by writing the name of the plant or tree where the leaf came from. Cut out the rubbing, and glue or tape it into a notebook or nature journal.

Photo Credit: Peggy Hazelwood

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