Leaf Waxing Tutorial

We tried something different this week for Nature study:  trying to preserve some of the beautiful fall colors that we are surrounded by this time of year. And in searching the internet for ideas, I came across the idea of leaf waxing. We decided to give it a try.

It turns out that the we had a blast doing it...the children kept telling me how much fun it was.  It wasn't just the actual process of waxing the leaves that they enjoyed; they also loved collecting and identifying the leaves.

The supplies are wax and leaves. Simple enough, right?
The first thing  to do is collect some leaves. (Make sure they're clean and dry.)

Next, melt the wax in a double-boiler. (I used tea lights and lined the smaller bowl with foil for easy clean-up.)

After the wax is completely melted, dip the leaves into it , holding the leaves by the stems, letting the excess wax drip into to the bowl.  (Be careful with your littles...the wax is very hot.)

We waxed some wild rose hips, too..

 After dipping the leaves, lay them on foil or wax paper to harden.

When the wax has hardened, use the leaves to decorate for fall.
We put them on a grapevine wreath..

And hung them from the ceiling fan and in front of the windows..

and on the lights...

"Thou comest, Autumn, heralded by the rain,
With banners, by great gales incessant fanned,
Brighter than brightest silks of Samarcand,
And stately oxen harnessed to thy wain!
Thou standest, like imperial Charlemagne,
Upon thy bridge of gold; thy royal hand
Outstretched with benedictions o'er the land,
Blessing the farms through all thy vast domain!
Thy shield is the red harvest moon, suspended
So long beneath the heaven's o'er-hanging eaves;
Thy steps are by the farmer's prayers attended;
Like flames upon an altar shine the sheaves;
And, following thee, in thy ovation splendid,
Thine almoner, the wind, scatters the golden leaves!"

~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Happy fall, y'all!  :)