Texture Rubbing Plates Art Activity

Flat textured objects: leaves, coins, sandpaper, corrugated cardboard, lace

White paper

Crayons with paper wrapping removed

Tape (to hold paper in place)

Gather flat objects with distinct textures — leaves, coins, sandpaper, cardboard, lace.

Place one object on the table and lay paper on top. Tape corners to prevent sliding.

Show your child how to hold a crayon flat on its side and rub back and forth.

Watch the hidden pattern emerge — the texture appears like a magic reveal.

Try each object with a different colored crayon.

Arrange all the rubbings together for a texture gallery.

Feel the original objects and match them to their rubbings.

Remove the crayon paper wrapping so the entire side of the crayon contacts the paper.

The reveal moment — when the texture appears — is genuinely exciting. Kids gasp every time.

Thin paper works better than thick paper. Regular copy paper is perfect.

Take this activity outdoors and rub tree bark, sidewalk cracks, and brick walls.

Holding the crayon sideways uses a different grip than normal drawing, which is great for hand flexibility and developing a mature pencil grip.