Spring Bouquet

crayola supplies

Markers
Blunt-Tip Scissors
Construction Paper

household supplies

recycled newspaper
hole punch
paper towels
ribbon
chenille sticks

Why

Celebrate May Day or any day with bright flowers that stay fresh. Arrange them in a clever folded-paper basket to hang on a doorknob.

Steps

1. Paper flowers. Cover your art area with recycled newspaper. Cut several circles about the size of your hand from plain, absorbent paper towels. Decorate the circles, which will be your flower petals, with Crayola® Washable Markers until the color seeps through onto the newspaper. Experiment with different designs, such as spirals or radiating lines that start in the center. Think bright and beautiful!
2. For each flower, roll a piece of plain paper towel into a ball. Wrap a decorated circle around it. Secure the flower around the ball with a chenille stem. Fluff out the tops of the petals. Trim away any excess, or make fringed petals, with Crayola Scissors.
3. Folded paper basket. Cut one end away from a sheet of colored construction paper to make a large square. Fold the square diagonally in half to make a triangle. With the fold at the bottom, bring the upper right edge down to meet the fold. Crease the upper left side where the paper folds to mark the place. Unfold to find the triangle again.
4. Still holding the triangle with the fold at the bottom, bring the lower right point up to meet the upper left side at the crease mark. Press hard to fold it in place. Bring the lower left corner up to meet the upper right side at the top of the previous fold. Press hard to fold it in place.
5. Tuck the front open triangle at the top into the pocket that is created by the piece that was folded over last. This will hold your basket together. Decorate the basket with markers.
6. Punch two holes at the sides of the triangle which form the back of your flower basket. Tie a ribbon through them for a handle. Place flowers in the basket and hang on a doorknob.

When & Where

"Our kids researched May Day traditions. They wrote notes about the holiday to include with their bouquets."
- Lan V., home-school parent

"Scouts honored residents of a nursing home with these flower baskets on the first day of spring. What a delight!"
- Sally C., scout leader.

Interesting Info

Celebration of May Day probably began with ancient Roman outdoor festivals honoring Flora, the goddess of flowers.

Safety Guidelines

Scissors—ATTENTION: The cutting edges of scissors are sharp and care should be taken whenever cutting or handling. Blunt-tip scissors should be used only by children 4 years and older. Pointed-tip scissors should be used only by children 6 years and older.

String-Like Materials—Includes string, raffia, lacing, yarn, ribbon, and other similar material. Children 3 years and younger should not be given any string-like material that is longer than 12 inches. Close adult supervision is essential whenever children use string-like material. When crafts are to be worn around the necks of children 8 years and younger, attach the ends of the “string-like material” with clear adhesive tape, which allows easy release of the bond if the craft becomes entangled or caught on equipment. For children older than 8 years, the ends of the “string-like material” may be tied and knotted.