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Make colourful art using the abundance of leaves around at this time of year! This watercolor wax resist leaf art activity is a twist on the popular leaf rubbing activity with crayons that is great for little ones to do, particularly in autumn when it is so much fun to collect the colourful fallen leaves.

What you will need for Watercolor Wax Resist Leaf Art

This easy art project only requires a few basic art supplies like paper, wax crayons and watercolor paints. You’ll also need a collection of leaves, which is lots of fun to go and gathering. Collecting and choosing the leaves outside in nature is the first step of this nature art activity.

Leaves
White paper (lightweight paper is best as it’ll allow the details of the leaf to come through)
Crayons (we used block crayons but stick crayons with the paper removed would also work)
Watercolour paints
Paintbrush
A jar of water

First, you will need to go for a walk to gather your leaves! Choose ones lying on the ground rather than pulling them from the trees. The leaves that will work the best will have prominent veins.

Put a leaf face-down on a hard surface with the veins facing up. Place your paper on top of your leaf and then, while holding the paper and leaf in place, use the side of a crayon to rub firmly across the leaf. You’ll quickly see the amazing pattern of all the leaf’s veins showing up! Make sure that you rub firmly over the entire leaf to show the outline as well as the veins.

Younger children may need some assistance holding the page still whilst also rubbing firmly or you could tape the paper onto the surface you are working on.

Paint over your leaf rubbing with watercolour paint. The wax crayon will resist the watercolour paint so the outline and veins of the leaf will show through the paint.

Pick another colour of paint and paint around the leaf. These would look great painted with autumnal colours!

We left a white edge around the paper to frame the painting but you don’t have to do this or, if you prefer a cleaner look, you could mask off the edges before your paint.

Don’t they look lovely?!

To get the instructions in a printable format, use the how to widget below.

Wax Resist Autumn Leaves Art Project

Fun and easy wax resist art using fallen autumn leaves. This is a great creative project to enjoy with kids of all ages this fall

Materials

Leaves
White paper (lightweight paper is best as it’ll allow the details of the leaf to come through)
Crayons (we used block crayons but stick crayons with the paper removed would also work)
Watercolour paints
Paintbrush
A jar of water

Instructions

Go for a walk to gather your leaves. Choose ones lying on the ground rather than pulling them from the trees. The leaves that will work the best will have prominent veins.
Put a leaf face-down on a hard surface with the veins facing up.
Place your paper on top of your leaf and then, while holding the paper and leaf in place, use the side of a crayon to rub firmly across the leaf. Make sure that you rub firmly over the entire leaf to show the outline as well as the veins.
Paint over your leaf rubbing with watercolour paint. The wax crayon will resist the watercolour paint so the outline and veins of the leaf will show through the paint.
Pick another colour of paint and paint around the leaf. These would look great painted with autumnal colours!

Credit: Mud & Bloom is a small, independent brand creating award-winning products that aim to connect children with nature. Their nature craft and gardening boxes contain seasonal activities that have been created with influence from Forest School, Steiner and Montessori education. One-off boxes or monthly subscription options are available, and products are eco-friendly and assembled by hand in the UK. Www.mudandbloom.com.

More Creative Nature Activities for Kids

Here at Crunchy Family, just like Mud & Bloom, we are big fans of getting the kids outdoors and connected with nature. Here are a few more fun and creative nature activities that you’re going to love if you enjoyed making this wax crayon resist autumn leaves art project with the kids.

Nature Hunt for Kids with Free Scavenger Hunt Printables

DIY Nature Counting Cards

DIY Forest School Campfire Popcorn Maker

If you enjoyed this kids nature activity, please do share with friends and family, or pin to your Pinterest boards. You can also subscribe via email to get regular updates from us here at crunchy family.