Nature Crafts – Craft Ideas with Rhubarb

I have two rhubarb plants in my back yard – one of them was a resident before we moved in, and the other was given to me by a friend.  I’ve ignored the plants for the past couple of years, but this year we have rhubarb in abundance.  Here’s one of our two plants:

Rhubarb For Kids Crafts

I love to eat rhubarb (especially in pies or crumbles!), but the problem is that my family doesn’t share the same sentiment.  Actually I created a little poll on a handy iphone app called Pollate*, and apparently 50% of people don’t like rhubarb – whether its’ baked into something or eaten by itself.  So that got me thinking about creative uses for rhubarb.  Here are a few crafty ideas:

Rhubarb Leaves

This part of the plant can’t be eaten anyway so why not put it to good use.  Rhubarb leaves have beautiful veins throughout, making them a great option for stenciling or stamping.  Try:

1.     Play Dough Patterns – your child can roll or press a piece of play dough or modeling clay so that it is flat.  Press the rhubarb leaf (vein side down) into the playdough.  Gently pull the rhubarb up to reveal your pattern

2.     Rhubarb Paint Stamping – get out your paintbrushes or sponges, and paint your rhubarb leaf (on the veiny side)  Press the painted rhubarb leaf onto your piece of paper.  Repeat with multiple colours to achieve a multi-coloured effect. Tip: use naturally dyed paints, so that you can throw your leaf into the compost bin when you’re done.

Paint Stamping with Rhubarb    Nature Craft - Make a Rhubarb Stamp Art Painting

3.     Rhubarb Leaf Stamped Pottery – if you’re looking for a more involved project and have access to pottery equipment, use a rhubarb leaf as a stamp for a unique plate.  My daughter made the one pictured below when she was 6.  Roll a piece of clay out, press the leaf into the clay, and then cut away excess from the edges.  Shape a handle and dry/fire/glaze

Pottery Idea for Kids - Rhubarb Stamped Plate

4.     Rhubarb Stepping Stones can be made using the directions found here.  We’ve made stepping stones before, with a mix of 1/3 cement, 1/3 peat, 1/3 sand.  We didn’t add chicken wire to our stones and they’ve lasted for quite some time

Rhubarb Stems

This is the part that can be used in baking or for eating, but the stems can also be used to make red dyes for t-shirts, play dough, wool, or colouring eggs.  Simply stew a rhubarb stem with ~4 cups of water and then strain, using the liquid as your dye.  You could also use it for watercolour painting of sorts.

If you do happen to like rhubarb in baking,try this rhubarb chocolate chip loaf recipe.  I’ve tested many rhubarb recipies with my family, and this is the only one that gets an enthusiastic nod from everyone.

*Full Disclosure – the Pollate app for iphone was created by my husband, so I’ve become a bit of a ‘power user’.  Users can make, take, and view polls.  If you want to try it, it’s free to download on itunes or visit the website