Autumn is an awesome time of the year and we are going to make it even more awesome by showing you how to make a super cool excavation using all those beautiful fall leaves and sticks to create a fun and free excavation!

 

 

Materials needed:

 

Leaves, sticks, bark, acorns and other fantastic finds from a forested area. (You can collect these yourself or turn it into a real adventure and have the child join you in finding the items to go in the excavation.)

 

A plastic bowl that will be big enough to hold you items.

 

A spot big enough in your freezer to put the bowl.

 

 A small pitcher for pouring warm water.

 

 Now all you need to do to create your awesome autumn ice excavation is to layer your leaves, sticks and other items in the bowl. Pour cool water over the items, being sure to leave some space near the rim of the bowl for the ice to expand. Place the bowl in the freezer for several hours. 

 

 

 

Pro tip: Have a magnifying glass handy to allow for an up-close inspection of the forest treasures. 

 

 If you love exploring and enjoying the great outdoors, check out our National Park Explorer Excavating Adventure:

 

 

 Once you are ready for your student or child to enjoy the awesome autumn ice excavation, you will need to find an area to excavate without getting water everywhere. 

 

Fill the small pitcher with warm water and instruct your child to gently pour the water over the awesome autumn ice excavation. Your child will soon be discovering, identifying, and collecting all the awesome autumn treasures hidden in the ice excavation.  

 

Now for the super fun and cool part... We are going to preserve some of our leaves!

 

Arrange your favorite leaves on a piece of wax paper. Lay another piece of wax paper on top, and cover with a towel on both sides (so that there is no wax paper showing). Now the parent or supervising adult can use a hot iron and gently iron on top of the towel until the wax paper inside fuses together. Your child will now have an awesome specimen to share, display, and enjoy!

 

 

If you love excavating as much as we do, be sure to check out our Excavating Adventures monthly subscription by clicking the link below and get an awesome new excavation delivered each month loaded with rocks, minerals, gemstones, fossils, and more!