Make Fern Prints

Here's an easy craft project that's good for almost any age.

First, go find some ferns. Believe me, they are everywhere. They're probably growing in your back yard, or in your garden. They're growing along the side of nearly every road, and in pretty much every empty lot.

Pick a bunch of ferns and bring them in.

In addition to the ferns, you'll need stamping ink, or some sort of kid-safe paint, and something to stamp the ferns onto. You'll need a soft sponge or a makeup brush, or even a soft paintbrush.And you'll need something to protect the work surface.

Spread out that protective thing (newsaper works great). Then gently brush ink or paint on your fern. Press the fern onto paper, and there you go.

Try experimenting with printing the ferns in patterns. Or print one color over another and see what happens. Decorate brown paper for wrapping presents. Decorate brown paper bags for lunches when school starts again. Decorate nice paper and you can frame it and make a pretty wall hanging to keep or give.

Take other stuff from outdoors and print it, too, if you like. Blades of grass are pretty, and some leaves are pretty. See what works and what doesn't!