"Painting" with Flowers: Turning Tricky Times into Beautiful Blooms
When life gets tricky, we make art.
In the middle of fixing a mold issue in our house, and before we packed up and temporarily moved out, I set up this craft to keep the kiddos entertained outside in the clean air. Sometimes, a little creative distraction is exactly what everyone needs!
Materials You’ll Need
Flowers: We walked around the neighborhood to look for flowers that had fallen on the ground (and a couple kind neighbors insisted the boys could have a couple from their yards!). The more vibrant the petals, the better the print!
Thick paper: Watercolor paper works best, but any heavy paper will do.
Parchment paper: This protects your flowers and helps transfer the pigment.
A hard surface underneath: I used a clipboard, but a cutting board or a flat piece of wood works well.
Something to pound with: I started with a hammer, realized that was a dangerous idea with little hands, and quickly switched to a @yeti water bottle. (Remember, anything is an art tool when you’re creative enough!)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Gather Your Blooms: Head outside for a nature walk! Collect colorful flowers, leaves, or even thin petals you find on the ground.
Arrange Your Art: Place your thick paper on your hard surface (like a clipboard). Arrange the flowers face down on the paper in whatever design you like.
Cover and Pound: Carefully place a piece of parchment paper over your flower arrangement. Then, firmly pound each flower with your water bottle or other blunt object. You'll want to apply steady, firm pressure to release the pigment.
Reveal Your Masterpiece: Gently peel back the parchment paper and then carefully remove the flattened flowers to reveal your beautiful botanical print!
Tips for Success
Patience is Key: It might take a few tries to get the hang of how hard to pound. Experiment with different flowers and amounts of pressure.
Color Matters: Brighter, more vibrant flowers tend to leave the most striking prints.
Safety First: Always supervise children, especially when using a pounding tool. A sturdy water bottle is a great kid-friendly alternative to a hammer.
Repurpose and Re-use: We've made so many rounds of these, and they’ve become birthday cards for friends, refrigerator decor, and more. It's a fun way to make your favorite blooms losing their color last a little longer and maybe get out some aggression, too! 😆
This simple activity helped us find beauty and calm amidst chaos. I hope it brings a little creative joy to your family too!
Ready to find calm in the chaos?
If this simple craft helped you turn a tricky time into a beautiful moment, you’ll love our other ideas for finding joy in the everyday. Explore our post on The Best Ways to Entertain Kids When You're Exhausted for more "mom hacks" that make a difference.