In an effort to spend some time relishing the beautiful, warm weather we are having, my kids and I went on a nature hike to collect some of the most colorful leaves we could find. We then decided to wax them so that we could savor their beauty for weeks to come. I remember fondly ironing our autumnal leaves between waxed paper growing up, but actually dipping them in wax produces an even more impressive result.
Waxing leaves is easy to do and requires very little. It is inexpensive and simple and young ones love the process.
All you need is:
- a box of kitchen paraffin (found in the canning section of the grocery store)
- a disposable pie tin (or one you don't mind scouring for quite a while)
- and your leaves! (it works best if the leaves are very dry prior to dipping in wax)
The process:
- Melt the wax over low heat in the disposable pan. This is NOT a part of the process that children should be a part of at all.
- Move the pan to a counter covered in wax paper or reynolds wrap and begin dipping!
- Be sure to hold the stem only as you dip and keep fingers out of the hot wax.
- Lay each leaf onto the wax paper and let it cool completely.
- Remove the leaves from the paper and use them to decorate any way you please!
My daughter LOVED doing this and it was such a simple craft to share together. After we strung our garlands, she begged me to hang them everywhere (the hallway, the bathroom, the basement, the kitchen...literally everywhere!) We do have them hanging in our living room, her room, and from our dining room light. Lovely and festive.
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