Insect Rubbing Plates (Set of 16)

Insect Rubbing Plates turn fascinating bugs and creepy-crawlies into an easy hands-on art experience kids can explore again and again. Place paper over a plate and rub with the side of a crayon to reveal the hidden insect design, then add color and details to turn each impression into a unique piece of bug-inspired artwork.

This set includes 16 reusable plastic rubbing plates featuring assorted insect designs. Each plate measures approximately 4½" x 6½", giving young artists plenty of room to discover wings, legs, body shapes, patterns, and other interesting details while experimenting with color and texture.

These plates go far beyond traditional crayon rubbings. Press them into modeling clay to create textured insect impressions, incorporate them into papier-mâché projects, or fill the designs with white glue and food coloring to create peel-away suncatchers. Their versatility makes them a useful addition to classroom art centers, science units, summer camps, after-school programs, nature activities, senior programs, and home craft collections.

Designed for ages 3+, these Roylco rubbing plates combine art and discovery into a single reusable activity. They're an engaging way to introduce young artists to insects, texture, pattern, nature, and creative experimentation without limiting them to just one finished project.

Watch Amazing Insects Appear Right Before Their Eyes

The fun begins with what looks like an ordinary sheet of paper. As kids move a crayon across the surface, the insect hiding underneath slowly appears, revealing outlines, wings, legs, patterns, and other details stroke by stroke.

Children can experiment with different colors, overlap insect designs to create busy bug scenes, or color the finished impressions with markers and colored pencils. The plates also pair naturally with lessons and activities on insects, gardens, habitats, nature, spring and summer, life cycles, and outdoor exploration.

Because the plates are reusable, the same set can support a wide range of activities throughout the year. Start with simple rubbings for younger children, move into clay impressions and texture exploration, or challenge older artists to incorporate the insect patterns into larger mixed-media projects.

Why These Insect Rubbing Plates Are Buzzing With Possibilities

• 16 different insect rubbing plates provide plenty of variety for individual and group activities
• Raised bug designs magically appear when paper is placed over the plate and rubbed with the side of a crayon
• Reusable plastic construction makes the plates suitable for repeated classroom, camp, program, and home use
• Works for crayon rubbings, clay impressions, papier-mâché, suncatchers, and mixed-media art
• Combines art with opportunities to explore insects, nature, textures, shapes, patterns, and observation
• 4½" x 6½" plates are easy for children to handle while providing plenty of detailed texture to discover
• Designed for ages 3+ and adaptable for a wide range of ages and creative abilities

Product Highlights

• 16-Piece Set – Includes 16 reusable rubbing plates featuring assorted insect designs
• Reusable Plastic – Durable plates can be used repeatedly for ongoing art, nature, and science activities
• Multiple Art Techniques – Use for crayon rubbings, clay impressions, papier-mâché, suncatchers, and mixed-media projects
• Art Meets Nature – Encourages exploration of insects, textures, patterns, shapes, colors, and observation
• Easy to Use – Place paper over a plate and rub across it with the side of a crayon to reveal the hidden insect design
• Plate Size – Each rubbing plate measures approximately 4½" x 6½"
• Ages 3+ – Suitable for preschoolers, school-age children, older artists, and intergenerational programs

What’s Included

16 reusable plastic insect rubbing plates featuring assorted bug designs.

Insect Rubbing Plates Are Great For

• Schools: Connect art projects with science, nature, and insect units. Students can explore bug shapes, textures, symmetry, patterns, and details while creating rubbings, clay impressions, and mixed-media artwork
• After-School Programs: Keep an easy, reusable activity on hand for creative downtime. Kids can choose their favorite insect designs, experiment with colors and rubbing techniques, and transform finished impressions into cards, collages, and bug scenes
• Camps: Bring bug hunting indoors after a day of outdoor exploration. Campers can create insect rubbings inspired by the creatures they discover outside or build colorful imaginary bug collections of their own
• Recreation Centers: Offer flexible, nature-themed activities for different ages and abilities. Younger children can enjoy simple crayon rubbings while older participants experiment with layering, clay, and mixed-media techniques
• Nursing Homes / Senior Centers: Explore nature-inspired art through an approachable texture activity. Participants can experiment with color, pattern, and layered designs while creating cards, collages, seasonal artwork, and decorative pieces
• Kids at Home: Turn the craft table into a reusable bug discovery station. Kids can make insect rubbings, experiment with different textures and colors, create homemade cards, or combine multiple designs into imaginative scenes
• Parties / Events: Create a bug-themed make-and-take activity without complicated preparation. Great for nature events, spring celebrations, summer activities, garden programs, science events, family craft days, and community programs

Tips for Best Results

• Place the rubbing plate on a firm, flat surface before positioning paper on top
• Use the side of an unwrapped crayon instead of the tip to reveal larger areas of the insect design evenly
• Hold the paper securely while rubbing so the plate does not shift underneath
• Experiment with different amounts of pressure to see how the texture and details change
• Layer several insect designs and colors to create bug collections, garden scenes, patterns, and backgrounds
• Add details to finished rubbings with markers or colored pencils to emphasize wings, legs, body sections, and patterns
• Wash and dry the reusable plastic plates as needed before storing them flat for future activities

Explore More

Keep the creativity crawling when you explore more Bug Crafts and browse Art Supplies for classrooms, camps, programs, senior centers, and creative time at home.

Looking for more ways to keep group art activities fresh and engaging? Visit the Crafting Creativity Blog for project inspiration, program ideas, and practical arts and crafts tips.

Let Their Creativity Crawl, Flutter & Fly

Insect Rubbing Plates turn simple art materials into an exciting world of hidden bugs, fascinating textures, and creative possibilities. With 16 reusable designs and multiple ways to create, one set can inspire everything from quick crayon rubbings to clay impressions, suncatchers, and mixed-media artwork.

Add this versatile insect art set to your school, after-school program, camp, recreation center, senior program, art room, or home craft collection and give artists a fun new way to discover what’s crawling beneath the paper.