Activities for Kids: Getting to know a tree and making leaf-print t-shirts
A forest can be a child’s paradise. Even for many adults a forest can be a calming escape from daily life, with its filtering light, sweet air and soaring trees. Some are lucky enough to live in or near a forest. For those that live in towns or cities, getting your family to a forest is a worthwhile trip. Before you leave, pack some blindfolds for the kids. For information on trails near St. Louis, Click Here http://www.localhikes.com/MSA/MSA_7040.asp.
The World Bird Sanctuary also has several trails through our forest that are open to the public. Once your family has reached the forest destination, it’s time to break out the blindfolds! Spin your blindfolded kids around a few times, and then lead them each to a different tree. Encourage them to feel the texture of the bark with their hands, to take in the earthy smell. Have them slowly walk around the tree with outstretched arms feeling high and low for any other trees and plants growing nearby. Encourage them to feel as high as they can on the tree to see if they can reach any of its branches. Feel the base of it to see if any roots are showing. Next, have them wrap their arms as far around the trunk as they can to get an idea of its size. When they are done exploring with touch and smell, lead them away from their individual tree, remove the blindfolds and ask them to find “their” tree. They can repeat the touching, smelling, and hugging until they find their woody friend.
A fun way to remember your day in the forest is to make a leaf-print t-shirt. While in the forest, collect a variety of leaves in different shapes and sizes. Fresh green leaves work best, but be sure to not take too many from one tree. Also needed for this project is a pre-washed dark color t-shirt. To get started, put several layers of newspaper inside the body and sleeves of the shirt. Lay the shirt on a flat surface and smooth out any wrinkles. Arrange the leaves in a pattern on the shirt, weighing them down with small stones or coins along the edges.
T-shirt with leaves weighed down by coins ready to be sprayed
For a non-toxic approach, mix equal parts white vinegar with lemon juice in a spray bottle. Spray the shirt thoroughly and leave it in the sun for several hours. For faster results, mix one part bleach with three parts water and spray the shirt carefully, dunking it in cold water right after you spray. The result is a tie-died leaf effect!
Another method for kids who are a bit older involves fabric paint. When you arrive home with your leaves, flatten them by placing them in between newspaper on a flat surface with books on top for about a week. The following materials will be needed: fabric paints, pre-washed white t-shirt, paintbrushes, small craft sponges (not kitchen sponges) and paper plates (for pallets).
To get started, again put several layers of newspaper inside the body and sleeves of the shirt to keep paint from bleeding through to the back. Lay the shirt on a flat surface and smooth out any wrinkles. Use a paintbrush to paint a craft sponge with one color. Dab (not wipe) the sponge on the veiny side of a leaf. Then press the painted side down on the shirt and press firmly in all areas. Advise the kids to keep their fingers paint free to avoid getting fingerprints on the shirt. It is also recommended to make test prints on paper first. To avoid the colors becoming muddy, be sure the kids fully rinse brushes and sponges before using a different color. These T-shirts can be machine washed, but only after the paint has been heat set according to the directions on the fabric paint bottles.
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