Wax Leaf Pressing with Kids

Wax leaf pressing is an easy way to preserve the beautiful fall foliage. Hiking outdoors this time of year to find the leaves first, is half the fun.

Supplies

• wax paper
• thin towel
• warmed Iron
• leaves

How-To

• Find a leaf on a tree or on the ground (that is fresh and not curled or brittle).
• Place the leaf between two layers of wax paper with plenty of room to trim and preserve the wax “seal.”
• Cover the wax paper with a towel – a thin dish towel, pillowcase, or paper towels work best.
• Preheat the iron (medium dry heat). Evenly iron over the towel which separates the iron from the wax paper. The heat from the iron melts the wax paper (the towel prevents the wax paper from sticking to the iron), sealing the leaf between the wax paper sheets.
• Trim the wax paper specimen to hang in the window, as a placemat or to fit in a standard three-ring sheet protector.
  Bonus Activity: Identify leaves and label. Keep your collection in a three-ring notebook binder.

If you want to preserve the individual beauty of each leaf, try “waxing” them using melted paraffin. Visit the Clover Lane website for an excellent tutorial on how-to wax leaves.