Last fall we collected some ferns and placed them in books to dry. I know these ferns would be a great project for these love bugs. When placed on paper, dried ferns can look like evergreens. I glued some fern on scrapbook paper (similar to cardstock papers). I glued the ferns on the paper instead of asking the children because dried plants can be very delicate. I waited for some days to pass, then gave the children the fern paper to make a snow scene.
Fittingly the ferns were dried in this nature book. I placed single ferns between a page..using only the book pages, no chemical or wax paper. I then placed some wood blocks on the book, for added weight. I have many vintage books in the daycare that, I use to support our daily lessons, shared reading and research.
Children were given the fern paper to create art. The young children were encouraged to finger paint some snow. 
They chose their snow colors from a box of colors, I had laid out. 
The toddlers are all under twenty months, and they love to paint and have many sensory plays. This little one was offered three colors and he pointed to this blue hue. Honing his painting skills, with focus and determination, he made beautiful art. 
Without instruction, the older children were given the paper fern to make winter art. 
I was delighted to see they painted snowmen. The thing is, we weren’t sure of the other elements to add, to the snowy artwork. Maybe some foam snowmen or animals on a snowy day; but when I saw the work of the painted snowmen, I knew, I wanted the younger children to copy that artwork.
With the inspiration from the older children, the younger ones with some assistance added their snowmen. And voila…the completed work from them all.
They made such a beautiful wintery scene all depicting their own style and preference. And there goes another of activity at Lil Bebe Academy. Hope you will save some fern and make beautiful artwork. Miss Sue 🙂
Life with Senu and Heru
The night they decided to make use of some night snow.
Hi!! Love the snowman fern art. What happens to the fern long term once it is glued onto the craft paper? How long does it last? I am very interested in doing some fern art this winter with my Kindergarteners!
Thank you.
The fern art lasted for over a year. The fern changed color to brown which added a little patina to the art. :).