How to make a bark rubbing

Many trees have distinctive bark patterns, which you can use to identify them, even when they have no leaves. Get to know the various patterns by making bark rubbings - they're great fun and can be done at any time of year.

Bark rubbing is an excellent way to get children outside and creative, as well as connecting them with nature and to start introducing tree identification techniques to them.

Follow our instructions for bark rubbing below.

Learn more about tree identification:

More activities for children:

You will need:

Sheets of plain paper (Fairly thick)
Pair of scissors
Wax crayons (Selection of colours, choose thick, sturdy crayons that won't snap)
String

Bark rubbing. © Lynn Dicks