Pressing flowers is a cherished tradition that dates back centuries. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, it's a fantastic way to teach children about botany and the natural world around them. The process of collecting flowers, preserving them, and creating something beautiful from them instills patience, observation skills, and appreciation for nature.

Materials Needed:

Fresh flowers: Encourage children to pick flowers from the garden or a nearby park. Choose blooms that are vibrant and in good condition.

Absorbent paper: Absorbent materials such as blotting paper, parchment paper, or even coffee filters prove highly effective in soaking up excess moisture throughout the pressing procedure.

Heavy books or a flower press: Heavy books like encyclopedias or a designated flower press will provide the weight needed to flatten the flowers.

Scissors: For trimming stems and excess foliage.

Tweezers (optional): Helpful for handling delicate flowers during the pressing process.

Glue or adhesive: Needed for attaching pressed flowers to cards, bookmarks, or other crafts.

The Pressing Process:

Now that you have your materials ready, it's time to embark on the pressing journey:

Choose your flowers: Encourage children to select a variety of flowers. Different shapes, sizes, and colors will add interest to their creations.

Prepare the flowers: Trim excess stems and foliage from the flowers. For larger blooms, consider gently flattening them with your fingers to facilitate the pressing process.

Arrange the flowers: Lay out a sheet of absorbent paper and arrange the flowers on it, making sure they don't overlap. Leave some space between each bloom to prevent sticking.

Press the flowers: Once arranged, carefully cover the flowers with another layer of absorbent paper. Place the stack between the pages of a heavy book or within a flower press. Apply additional weight on top, then leave undisturbed for 1-2 weeks.

Check on the flowers: After the allotted time, carefully remove the pressed flowers from the book or press. They should be flat and dry to the touch. If any moisture remains, place them back in the press for a few more days.

Crafting with Pressed Flowers:

With a collection of beautifully pressed flowers at hand, it's time to get creative! Here are some simple craft ideas for children:

Pressed flower cards: Fold colorful cardstock in half to create greeting cards. Encourage children to arrange pressed flowers on the front of the card and secure them with glue. Add a heartfelt message inside for a personalized touch.

Pressed flower bookmarks: Cut rectangular pieces of cardstock or sturdy paper. Have children arrange pressed flowers along one edge, then laminate the bookmarks to preserve them for extended use.

Pressed flower art: Provide children with a canvas or sturdy paper and let their imagination run wild. They can create nature-inspired collages using pressed flowers, leaves, and other natural materials.

Pressed flower ornaments: Using clear contact paper or a laminator, sandwich pressed flowers between two sheets of plastic. Once sealed, punch a hole at the top and thread a ribbon through to create charming ornaments for hanging.