Flower Pressing

What You Need:

• Modeling clay or compound (make sure that it is soft and easily bendable)
• Flowers (real or fake)
• Rolling pin

What You Do:

1. Discuss plants and flowers with your child. If possible, go outdoors to the yard or a park and look at real specimens. Talk about the different colors, shapes, and sizes. Ask your child to think about why different flowers do not look the same.
2. Ask your child to choose at least two different flowers. If real flowers are not available, try faux flowers from a craft store.
3. Help your child roll a piece of clay out so that it is reasonably flat. Try to avoid rolling it too thin; this causes the clay to break apart.
4. Now you're ready to press a flower into the clay. After firmly pressing it in, have your child gently remove it to leave an impression in the clay.
5. Encourage your child to repeat this technique using different flowers. You can experiment with the clay as they continue to press in the flowers. Try thick clay pieces, then thin ones to compare the different effects.
6. This activity can be used simply as a process based exercise, or to create a more finished product. For the latter, try using white clay or modeling compound that can be colored using tempera paint. Have your child add greens, pinks, yellows, and other colors to the flower impression for a vibrant finish.