Personalize this activity to fit your child!
Log in or create a free account to personalize, save, and track this activity.
Or discover more about TopParent at topparent.ai
Description
Lay paper over a textured surface - a coin, a leaf, a woven mat, a wooden cutting board - and rub a peeled crayon on its side across the paper to reveal the hidden pattern below.
What to prep
- crayons
- paper
- textured_surfaces
Play guide
- 1Remove the paper wrapper from one or two crayons so you can use the side (the flat edge makes the best rubbings).
- 2Together, find interesting textured surfaces around the house or outside: a coin, a leaf, a woven placemat, a cutting board, tree bark, a brick wall, a shoe sole, a comb.
- 3Place a thin sheet of paper over the object or surface.
- 4Hold the paper still while your child rubs the flat side of the crayon firmly back and forth across the paper. The texture appears.
- 5Move to a new surface and try again. See how many different textures you can discover in the space.
Success signals
Your child makes a successful rubbing with visible texture on at least two surfaces. They seek out new surfaces to try without being directed. They describe the texture they see or compare two rubbings
If it's tricky
The rubbing isn't showing clearly: The paper may be too thick or the crayon too new (too round to use the flat side) - use thinner paper and peel a little more of the crayon. The paper shifts during rubbing: Tape it lightly to the surface with a small piece of tape. Your child presses too hard and tears the paper: Guide them to a lighter pressure and try again on a fresh sheet. The collection phase is more appealing than the rubbing phase: Lean into it - sorting textured objects is a good parallel activity