Nature Crafts for Kids-The Leaf Album

It is easy to be so overcome with the bombardment of corporate advertisements promoting modern consumerism that we forget there are things we can do to spend quality time with family and children without having to endure mind numbing and crowded public places.

No, really, it is true.

How about a nature experience that not only offers some well-needed exercise, involves the whole family, and can also teach your children something new? It has a very low cost and you don't have to endure any crowds or loud electronic displays.

I call it the Leaf Album. It is an endeavor that can last for days.

There is no particular way to begin; it is completely up to you. There is some small cost to it if you would like to see the project through to its end. Here is a complete list of things you may need to complete the project in its entirety:

Wax paper

Scissors

Hard backed paper binder

Clear sleeves for the binder

Hole punch

Iron

Ironing board or other hard, heat resistant surface

Plant book or internet access

Now, here is what you do. Gather up the family and kids. Bring a decent sized container or two, and maybe some bug spray and band aids...kids are kids after all. If you live on a large property with lots of plants you don't have to drive anywhere, otherwise, head out to the nearest bushy and wooded public access area. Gather leaves. That is it. Make it into a nature hike if you want to, point out odd bugs and animals. Just have fun and gather leaves.

When you get home, you can put the leaves away for a while or dimply continue the project. Break out the wax paper and iron. You'll want to oversee this part, but don't be afraid to let the little ones handle the iron; it is part of the excitement of the project. You will be creating "leaf sandwiches"�, just place a leaf onto a wax sheet then place a second sheet over that. Now apply the heated iron and let cool. You can do several more if you like, or go on to the next step.

Now that you have a "leaf sandwich"� or several, trim the wax paper so that it can be inserted easily into the clear sleeves of the binder, also punch holes into the wax pages that align with the rings of the binder. You now have a leaf album or journal if you like. The next step is more long term, but still fun.

Now that you have waxy leaf pages in your binder, you can do a variety of things to add information. You can fill out address labels and apply them to each page, or you can insert lined paper in between the pages. Or if you have your own idea, go for it. Then your children or other family members get to research each leafy page. A plant book or internet search will be needed to match up the actual leaves to their virtual or two-dimensional counterparts. Once a match is made, note any information you want to identify the pages.

This project is a gift that keeps on giving. You can modify it for flowers, or maybe try to make a "sequel"� filled with autumn versions of the leaves. The possibilities are endless.

Have fun!