Creating crayon rubbings is a fun way for children to express themselves artistically without making much of a mess. A fun and easy project is to make a collage of nature rubbings. First, give your child a piece of paper and a crayon. Any type of thin, white paper will do, as will any color of crayon. Lay the paper over something rough, such as a large rock or leaf, and hold it in place. It may help to use tape or a heavy object to keep the paper down so the child is free to use both hands. Next, take the paper wrapping off of the crayon, and let your child rub it back and forth on the paper using the side of the crayon. The texture of the rock or the outline and veins of the leaf will show up on the paper. For more ideas for nature rubbings, accompany your child outside and help him or her find other objects with texture that will work for this project such as the bark of a tree, wood on a fence, or even the sidewalk. Try using a large piece of paper, such as butcher block paper, so your child can make a large, colorful collage. Other textured objects to use for crayon rubbings include coins, keys, bottle caps, and patterned floor tiles, among many other common household items. By doing crayon rubbings of like materials, your child can actually turn a fun project into a lesson. For instance, making rubbings of coins can be a great lesson on currency.
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