Craft a Summer Bouquet

From zinnias to marigolds, from daisies to dahlias, summertime blooms are adding lots of color to the landscape. Yes, even common weeds get plenty of attention. We’re looking at you, dandelions. Through the eyes of a child, it’s all a beautiful array of colors and textures in all shapes and sizes.

Grab a few supplies and help your child assemble a sweet, summertime bouquet.

We’ll be upcycling a piece of cardboard to hold our arrangements. It makes creating a bouquet easy and fun for little hands and children of all ages! Watch your child practice their fine motor skills as they pull each stem through the board to “fill their vase.” Any flower will do—whether you find them in your backyard, on a nature walk, in a field, or at the local park.

Watch this video as Grace (8) and her brother, Noah (1), go on a flower-hunting adventure together to gather flowers with a little help from their mom. 

To get started, you’ll need:

• Cardboard
• Markers or crayons
• A pen (to poke the holes)
• Collected flowers

Cut the cardboard. Squares and rectangles work best. You’ll want them to be about a foot or so long. This leaves plenty of room on the bottom for the vase and on the top for the flowers.

Draw a vase. For the youngest participants, pre-draw the outline of a basic vase for them to color in. For older children, encourage them to practice creating a pattern or unique design.

Poke holes. Carefully use the point of a pen to create holes for each stem. This is a great step for adults. Each hole will help keep the flowers in place above the vase.

Collect flowers. Build the bouquet as you go or collect flowers in a bag or basket first. When you’re ready, have your child pull each stem through until every hole is filled to create a unique arrangement. 

Get Creative

See how many different types of bouquets you can make. Use your imagination to gather a wide variety of natural elements. Consider adding interesting greens such as ferns, leaves, or cattails.

Though each bouquet won’t last too long without water, it can be displayed for the day by simply leaning it against something sturdy. Then, use the same cardboard vase to create a new bouquet.

Being outside is always a fun experience. It also supports the mental and physical well-being of children while giving them a healthy dose of vitamin D. Don’t forget sunscreen!