Make a Tissue Paper Bouquet

Whether you’re a kid or a grownup, spring flowers are just about irresistible.   But in the doldrums of winter, real ones can be hard to find.   Here’s a classic first grade classroom activity to fill that gap with just a few sheets of tissue paper and some pipe cleaners.   While you’re at it, you’ll be boosting valuable small motor skills as well.   We may take those abilities for granted, but for first graders they’re a big deal: kids need to be able to manage small hand movements in order to grip a pencil and write.  So have some fun making a “tissue paper bouquet”—and while you’re at it, feel proud that you’re also boosting key skills!

Materials:
1 large sheet each of white, red, and pink tissue paper
3 green pipe cleaners
scissors (either plain, or fancy edged)

Directions:
1. Cut the paper.  Cut the tissue paper into squares, roughly 5”x 5”.   You may do this for your child, or even better, have him do it himself.  When it comes to managing scissors well, practice makes perfect for kids!

2. Start layering. Take 4 squares—at least one of each color, and two of whatever color your child most wants to dominate—and lay them on top of one another in one flat, square stack.  

3. Fold a fan.  Starting with the edge closest to him, have your child fold the stacked square into horizontal folds, every ¾ inch, like an accordion.   He’ll end up with a flat, long, rectangle with about 4 folds in it. 

4. Add stems!  Take out one pipe cleaner, and fold the top 1”.   Now hook it over the center of the long, flat rectangle of tissue, and wrap it tight.  The tissue on each side will start to fan up—pull it up even more to make a rounded flower shape, very much like a carnation.

5. Repeat! Repeat this process twice more, and then wrap the three pipe cleaners into a twisted “stem.”

While giving small hands great developmental practice, you’ve made a sweet bouquet for all seasons—a delightful gift for the teacher, or grandma, or any other special person in your child’s life.