Leaf pressing kits for kids

After trying all the kits, Ada (right) shows her friend Fidaa how to press leaves.

Photograph: Caroline Voagen Nelson

As soon as the leaves begin to drop from their branches, children across the city start hauling them home by the bucketful. Flower pressing kits, though designed to flatten and preserve blooms, also allow little ones to make the most of their autumn foliage collections. My daughter Ada, 7, and I tested out four different sets.

Photograph: Caroline Voagen Nelson

Flower Press & Nature Cards by Creativity for Kids

This four-inch press is small and portable, making it ideal for little ones who want to tote it along on a picnic and flatten plants on-site. Ada couldn't wait to use the watercolors, blank note cards and glue pen that came with the kit. She ran off to retrieve some violets we'd squashed in a dictionary earlier this year, then affixed them to the cards, which she'd already decorated.
Ada says "I want to take it to the park, find leaves and press them right away!" $15; at target.com. Ages 6 and up.

Photograph: Caroline Voagen Nelson

Green Creativity Pressed Flower Art Kit by 4M

Inside, Ada found two cardboard trinket boxes, plus bookmarks and cards pre-printed with flower motifs and the slogan I LOVE NATURE. The kit's four-inch press wasn't as sturdy as the others (it's made of cardboard, not wood), and Ada had a hard time turning the bolts to close the press. After flattening a few small leaves, Ada stuck them on top of the boxes.
Ada says "I love nature, but I don't want every card to say the same thing." $11; at onlinesciencemall.com. Ages 5 and up.

Photograph: Caroline Voagen Nelson

My Flower Press by ALEX

The seven-inch square press proved large enough to hold most of the leaves and flowers Ada collected from Cobble Hill Park. The kit also comes with an assortment of art materials that can be used to decorate the enclosed cards and bookmarks. Unfortunately, none were that exciting.
Ada says "I like the bright cardboard because purple is my favorite color, but I think it should have come with more than one piece. And I wish it had glitter glue." $16; at alextoys.com. Ages 5 and up.

Photograph: Caroline Voagen Nelson

Pressed Flowers Collection Kit by Home Science Tools

In addition to a 9-by-12-inch jumbo press, this set has all the tools kids need to identify and catalog their finds—making it worth the higher price point. The double magnifier, guidebook, classification labels and page protectors (for mounting and archiving discoveries) catapult plant-pressing out of art and into science.
Ada says"The big press and identifying book make it really special. You can press lots of little leaves and get big ones in, too." $35; at homesciencetools.com. Ages 6 and up.