St. David's Day Bouquet

crayola supplies

Paint Brushes
Washable Kid's Paint
No-Run School Glue
Pointed Tip Scissors
Construction Paper

household supplies

recycled newspaper
recycled boxes
paper towels
ribbon
cardboard
chenille sticks
recycled foam produce trays
container(s) of water

Why

Who was St. David, and why is he important to the Welsh? Make a leek and daffodil bouquet to celebrate customs in Wales.

Steps

1. The Welsh celebrate St. David's Day on March 1st. St. David is the patron saint of this country located on the British Isles. Learn more about Wales, and find out the importance of daffodils and leeks.
2. Cover your work area with recycled newspaper. Paint white construction paper yellow, orange, and green for daffodils using Crayola® Washable Kid's Paint and Paint Brushes. Paint more construction paper in light brown and green for leeks. Cover another sheet with light and dark brown paint for a basket. Dry.
3. To make daffodils: With Crayola Erasable Colored Pencils, draw three patterns on cardboard: (a) A star-shaped flower with six petals about two thumb lengths wide. (b) A circle about the length of your thumb. (c) A four-point star for the leaves about the length of your thumb. Cut out the patterns with Crayola Scissors.
4. For each daffodil, trace around all three patterns twice on the yellow, orange, and green painted paper. Make as many daffodils as you wish for your bouquet. Varying the sizes of the patterns and changing the colors used will create different daffodils.
5. Cut out the flower pieces. With Crayola School Glue, put matching shapes together so the paint shows on both sides. Dry.
6. Fold each petal of the flower (large star) in half. Poke a hole in the centers of the circles, large stars, and small stars. Fold a small knot at one end of a chenille stick. Push one chenille stick through the circle up to the knot, then scrunch the circle together to form the inner petals of the flower. Thread the large folded star onto the chenille stick up to the circle. Then thread on the smaller green star. Repeat to make each flower.
7. To make leeks: Draw two leek leaves on the back of the green paper and a bulb (like an onion) on the light brown paper. Cut them out. Glue the leek leaves and bulbs together with the painted sides showing outside. Glue the bulbs to the leaves.
8. To make the basket: Cut the brown paper into narrow strips. Weave the strips into a basket (over and under each other). Cut a produce tray in half and glue your weaving onto one half of a produce tray. Fold ends of weaving around the back of the basket and glue. Glue the basket to the inside edge of a shoe box lid. Dry.
9. Add a handle if you wish. Take one strip of brown paper and make several thin cuts in it. Weave a strip of the other color through the slits. Glue to the basket. Dry.
10. Arrange the daffodils and leeks inside the basket and glue to hold them in place. Add a festive ribbon and the words St. David's Day.

When & Where

"We're learning about the British Isles. This project was perfect for our study of Wales."
- Janitza C., home-school parent of 9- and 11-year-olds.

"Our neighbors are Welsh. We made this bouquet for them to celebrate St. David's Day."
- Bryon D., dad of children ages 10 and 12.

Interesting Info

March 1, the date given for the death of Dewi Sant, or St. David, was celebrated as a festival in Wales until the 16th century. In the 18th century it became a national festival among the Welsh. In Wales today, boys take leeks to school and eat them early in the day. A bowl of cawl, or leek broth, is the traditional St. David's Day meal.

Safety Guidelines

Crayola Washable Paints—Not for use as body/face paint.

Recycled Foam Produce Trays—Wash in hot, soapy water. No meat or poultry trays should be used.

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.