Bark Rubbing

Description

Try this classic activity to discover different patterns and textures in nature! Find a tree in your backyard and tape the printable to the trunk. With a crayon rock, or the side of an unpeeled crayon, gently rub over top of the bark. Children will be amazed when they see the pattern coming through the paper. Move to a different tree and try it again. Ask children, How are the patterns similar? How are they different? What is the role of the bark? How does it help the tree? If you know the type of trees, don’t forget to label your rubbings. That way, older children can do some research on the tree when they head back inside!

Inspired to add some more artistic flair to your tree rubbings? Try using oil pastels instead of crayons or break out the watercolors and paint over top of the rubbings. The watercolor will stick to the paper but slide off the places with crayon!