Pressing Flowers with Children

fdarling fotos

 Gardens and fields are full of flowers for a few more weeks.  It’s a perfect time to teach young children how to press flowers and use them to decorate their own art. Adding a few real flowers makes projects 3D and cheery later in January. For best results pick fresh flowers on a dry summer afternoon when there is no rain or dew on them.

Pressed Flowers

  Go for a walk around the neighborhood. Young children can practice their manners by asking adults you know if they may pick a few little flowers for an art project.    The neighbor can receive a pressed flower thank you note later. Look for flat flowers like pansies, lavender, baby’s breath, daisies, geraniums, herbs, decorative grasses, and weeds. Petals, and leaves from large shrubs like hydrangea also work well since the whole flower is too big. Children can carefully snip the flower with ½ inch of stem for handling. Point out the parts of a flower and their job to help produce seeds.

  Carry a thick book and paper toweling with you so the flowers can be pressed immediately.  To avoid damaging the book, flowers should have a sheet of toweling on the top and bottom. Some people also add waxed paper or newspaper on the top and bottom. Do not add so many flowers and leaves that the book is puffy and out of shape.  The book will be ruined and there won’t be enough pressure. Leave at least 1/8 inch of pages between flowers.

Easy Drying

fdarling fotos

  Be sure the flowers and leaves are not folded or crinkled. Change the paper every day to help the flowers dry faster and prevent a natural chemical reaction that makes them turn brown.

  Place a pile of books or some other weight on the pressing book. Drying time will vary depending on the temperature, humidity, and type of flower. Small flowers may be dry within four to five days. Larger flowers could take eight days or longer.

 Dry flowers will be stiff and papery. Removing the flowers before they are completely dry could cause them to shrink and pucker.  To keep good color and form, place them in consistent heat throughout the pressing process. Attics, car trunks, and garage shelves work well in warm weather.

  Store dry flowers in a box between layers of tissue paper in a warm dry spot until you are ready to use them. Pressed flowers can enhance writing paper, create greeting cards, decorate gift tags, and add to children’s drawings. Use white glue to hold the flowers and let them dry completely. Decoupage or clear nail polish will keep them shiny.

Photos: Fran Dealing: fdarlingfotos

More Ideas and Activities...

See the authors’ book “Learning Through the Seasons” at area bookstores and grandparentsteachtoo.org. For more help to prepare young children for success in school see the authors’ web site: www.grandparentsteachtoo.org.

Also check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio 90; Youtube video activities; and join us on Pinterest.