Plant Prints (aka Plant “Fossils”)

Last week (or was it the week before? everything is a blur) all the girls caught some sort of infection that weirdly came out through their eyes and ears. Of course they passed it down the line: Abby to Cameron and Cameron to Shae and probably to me too, but moms don’t have time to get sick. We couldn’t be near anyone outside our house, but at the same time we weren’t feeling really SICK, so we spent a couple days at our “Secret Spot” in the area.

In the canyon we collected some plants (they were really weeds, I think) to make Plant Prints, or as my girls were calling them, “Plant Fossils.” The only thing to keep in mind with this activity is to collect plants that are a bit “dry” or “tough” or “thick” so they indent the play clay well.

Enjoy!

Plant Prints

Supplies:

Play Clay (recipe at the bottom of the post)

Plants

Cookie Sheet

Instructions:

1. Press plant into the “Play Clay.” You can even flip it over and give it a good pat on the backside to make sure it indents the clay well.

2. Then remove the plant and set on the cookie tray.

3. Lastly, if you have baby brain like me, you will leave them in the oven for HOURS at 200 degrees until they turn into “Plant Biscuits.” Or you can do it the right way and just bake them for 20-30 minutes and not burn your house down. Either way works.

Play Clay

Supplies: 2 cups water, 1 cup salt, food coloring, 4 tsp. cream of tartar, 4 tbsp. oil, 2 cups flour

Instructions: Combine water, salt, cream of tartar and food coloring in a large pan.Cook on low heat and stir. As the mixture heats up, stir in the oil and then the flour slowly. Keep stirring the mixture until it starts looking dry and is pulling away from the pan. Remove from heat and pinch a piece between two fingers. If it is not sticky, it is done. Otherwise, continue stirring over low heat. Place the dough on counter and knead until smooth. Store play clay in an airtight container or plastic bag to re-use again and again. Do not refrigerate.

Tags: Nature, plant fossils, plant prints

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