Trees are wonderful and there are all sorts of ways to enjoy them. Making bark rubbings with wax crayons and then turning them into works of art is just one.

Use lots of different colours and create a picture by cutting out different shapes. Your work will look stunning when displayed in a twig frame. And, if you are short of hugs right now from family members that you can’t see why not give the tree a hug too. It is well known that hugging a tree can make you feel happier and is good for your health!

You will need:

• Bark rubbings
• White paper
• Wax crayons
• Coloured paper for background
• Glue
• Twigs
• Single hole punch
• String
• Scissors

Step 1

First collect your bark rubbings. If you haven’t got trees in your garden perhaps you can collect these on your daily walk. Put a sheet of thin white paper over the bark. Hold it firmly with one hand and rub over it using the long side of the crayon. You may need to remove the paper wrapping from around the crayon first. Collect a selection of rubbings from different trees and in different colours.

Step 2

Once back indoors, decide what picture you are going to create and cut out the shapes needed from the bark rubbings. Arrange the coloured shapes onto a piece of coloured paper and glue in place.

Step 3

To make the frame tie four twigs together so that they are slightly bigger than your picture.( See photo for illustration) Hole punch a hole in each corner of your picture and attach to the frame with string.

Step 4

Attach string to the top of the frame so that you are able to hang your finished art work for all to see.

Try another activity!