Paper and Plant Smash
Paper Plant Smash
A colourful, messy little project that’s basically hapazome… just with paper instead of fabric.
We’ve done this quite a few times now. It’s simple, satisfying, and full of surprises. The kids collect flowers, leaves, bark, grass, whatever catches their eye. Then we place it between two sheets of paper, close it up, and gently tap with a mallet (or anything flat) to press and smash the pigments out.
It’s a great one for experimenting. Some plants leave bold colours, others barely show up. There’s a lot of excitement in seeing what comes through and where. The first time we did this, the kids made abstract art, but you could also shape your paper beforehand and use it for fairy wings, dragon wings or butterflies.
No two look the same, and that’s part of the fun.
You’ll need
Paper (thicker paper holds up better)
Collected plant materials (flowers, leaves, grass, bark)
A mallet or smooth hammering tool
Hard surface to work on
Optional: scissors to pre-cut paper into shapes
How to make it
Place your plant materials on one sheet of paper, then cover it with another sheet. Press down gently to keep it all in place. Use a mallet or flat object to tap over the top, crushing the plant matter between the layers. When you peel the paper apart, you’ll see the pigment transfer left behind. Let it dry flat and decide what to turn it into… wings, bookmarks, cards, or just leave it as it is.
What it encourages
Exploration of natural materials
Understanding of pigments and texture
Gross and fine motor skills
Creativity and experimentation
Mindfulness and sensory awareness
A last note
We always remind the kids to collect mindfully. Choose flowers and leaves that are already fallen, or take just one or two from any plant. Check for insects or spiders before collecting, and return any unused bits back to the land. This is a great one for starting conversations about colour, plant types, and how nature can be used in art without needing to over-harvest or damage anything.
