There is something truly magical about watching a child discover nature. The way their eyes light up at the sight of a vibrant wildflower or the texture of a crunchy leaf is a reminder of the simple wonders of the world.
Capturing that wonder through dried flower crafts for kids is a wonderful way to extend their outdoor adventures, encourage creativity, and create lasting keepsakes. It teaches them to observe, preserve, and reimagine the natural beauty they find right in their own backyard.
Crafting with dried flowers isn’t just about glue and paper; it’s a sensory experience. It involves the thrill of the treasure hunt, the patience of pressing or drying the blooms, and the joy of arranging them into something new.
These activities are perfect for rainy afternoons, weekend projects, or even nature-themed birthday parties. They are tactile, educational, and often mess-free compared to paint and glitter!
In this guide, we will explore 12 magical nature activities that are perfect for little hands.
From simple suncatchers to adorable flower fairies, these dried flower crafts for kids range from easy-peasy to slightly more involved projects suitable for older children.
We’ll also cover the best ways to dry flowers quickly so the fun doesn’t have to wait.
Let’s grab our baskets and head outside to start our floral adventure!
1. Nature Suncatchers
Suncatchers are a classic childhood craft, and for good reason. They are incredibly simple to make, require very few materials, and the result is always stunning.
Using dried flowers adds a beautiful, stained-glass effect that transforms sunlight into a kaleidoscope of nature’s colors.
This is one of the best dried flower crafts for kids because it offers instant gratification and looks beautiful hanging in a sunny window.
Materials needed:
- Contact paper or self-adhesive laminating sheets
- A variety of flat dried flowers and leaves
- Scissors
- Ribbon or twine
Step-by-step:
- Cut two identical squares or circles of contact paper.
- Peel the backing off one sheet and lay it sticky-side up on the table. You might want to tape the corners down to keep it from curling.
- Let your child arrange their dried flowers and leaves onto the sticky surface. Encourage them to mix colors and shapes!
- Once they are happy with their design, peel the backing off the second sheet of contact paper and carefully lay it sticky-side down over the flowers, sandwiching them inside.
- Smooth out any air bubbles, cut the edges to neaten them up (or cut them into fun shapes like hearts or stars), punch a hole at the top, and thread a ribbon through for hanging.
2. Dried Flower Lanterns
Transform recycled glass jars into enchanting lanterns that glow with the warmth of nature. This project is a fantastic way to teach kids about upcycling while creating a cozy nightlight or a centerpiece for a family dinner. Dried flower crafts for kids like this one combine the fun of decoupage with the beauty of botanicals.
Materials needed:
- Clean, empty glass jars (mason jars or baby food jars work well)
- Pressed dried flowers
- White glue or Mod Podge
- Paintbrush
- Tea light candle (battery-operated is best for safety)
Step-by-step:
- Make sure the glass jar is clean and dry.
- Using a paintbrush, have your child apply a thin layer of {Mod Podge Waterbase Sealer, Glue and Finish} to a section of the jar. Mod Podge is fantastic for this because it acts as both the glue and the sealer, drying clear and durable so the flowers stay put.
- Gently press a dried flower onto the glued area.
- Apply another thin layer of Mod Podge over the top of the flower to seal it in. Be gentle so you don’t tear the delicate petals.
- Repeat until the jar is covered to your liking. Let it dry completely, then pop in a tea light and watch it glow!
3. Floral Playdough Impressions
This activity is perfect for younger children who love sensory play. While not strictly a “permanent” craft, using dried flowers with homemade or store-bought playdough allows kids to explore textures and patterns. It’s a wonderful, open-ended way to engage with dried flower crafts for kids.
Materials needed:
- Playdough (white or natural colors work best to show off the flowers)
- Sturdy dried flowers (like lavender stalks, strawflowers, or seed pods)
- Rolling pin
Step-by-step:
- Roll the playdough out flat.
- Let your child press the dried flowers into the dough. They can create a “garden,” make patterns, or simply explore the imprints left behind when they pull the flowers out.
- For a more permanent version, you can use air-dry clay instead of playdough. Once the clay dries, you can paint the flower impressions or leave them natural.
4. Nature Paintbrushes
Who needs store-bought brushes when nature provides the best textures? This creative twist on dried flower crafts for kids involves using sturdy dried plant materials to create unique painting tools.
It encourages children to experiment with mark-making and see standard art supplies in a new way.
Materials needed:
- Sticks found in the yard
- Dried grasses, pine needles, or sturdy flower heads (like dried hydrangeas)
- Rubber bands or twine
- Paint and paper
Step-by-step:
- Gather sturdy sticks to use as handles.
- Bundle dried grasses, pine needles, or flower heads at one end of the stick.
- Secure the bundle tightly with a rubber band or twine.
- Dip the “nature brushes” into paint and see what kind of textures they make on paper! Pine needles make scratchy lines, while dried flower heads might make splotchy, sponge-like marks. To make cleanup easy and keep the colors vibrant, use {Crayola Washable Kids’ Paint}. It washes off hands (and tables) effortlessly, making the messy experimentation stress-free for parents.
5. Magical Flower Fairies
Turn ordinary clothespins into whimsical flower fairies! This craft sparks imaginative play and allows kids to create their own little characters using the natural shapes of flowers as dresses, wings, and hats. It’s one of the most adorable dried flower crafts for kids that encourages storytelling.
Materials needed:
- Wooden clothespins (the old-fashioned round ones or the clip kind)
- Dried flowers (large blooms like hollyhocks or roses work well for skirts)
- Glue gun (low temp for kids) or strong craft glue
- Fine-tip markers
Step-by-step:
- Use markers to draw a simple face on the top of the clothespin.
- Select a large dried flower to be the fairy’s skirt. Glue it around the “waist” of the clothespin. If using a flat pressed flower, simply glue it to the front.
- Use two leaves or flower petals glued to the back to create wings.
- A small flower bud or acorn cap makes a perfect hat!
6. Pressed Flower Bookmarks
Encourage a love for reading and nature simultaneously. These bookmarks are practical, beautiful, and make fantastic gifts for grandparents or teachers. Creating them is a classic activity in the world of dried flower crafts for kids.
Materials needed:
- Cardstock paper cut into strips
- Pressed flat flowers and leaves
- Glue stick
- Clear contact paper or a laminator
- Hole punch and yarn
Step-by-step:
- Have your child arrange their pressed flowers onto the strip of cardstock. A little dab of glue helps keep them in place.
- Once arranged, you can laminate the bookmark for durability. If you don’t have a laminator, covering both sides with clear contact paper or even clear packing tape works perfectly.
- Trim the excess plastic from the edges.
- Punch a hole at the top and tie a colorful piece of yarn or ribbon through it. For a polished look, using a {Fiskars 1/4 Inch Circle Hand Punch} ensures the hole is clean and perfectly sized for a tassel or ribbon, which little hands might struggle to do with scissors.
7. Nature Crowns
Let your child rule their own nature kingdom with a crown made of dried flowers and vines. This craft is perfect for imaginative outdoor play or a woodland-themed party.
It teaches weaving and construction skills as part of these fun dried flower crafts for kids.
Materials needed:
- A long, flexible vine (like willow or grapevine) or a paper bag cut into a strip
- Sturdy dried flowers with stems (baby’s breath, statice, strawflowers)
- Floral tape or masking tape
Step-by-step:
- Measure the child’s head and create a circle base using the vine or paper strip. Secure it with tape.
- Tuck the stems of the dried flowers into the woven vine or tape them onto the paper band.
- Layer the flowers until the crown is full and colorful.
- Wear it with pride!
8. Flower Petal Perfume
This is a sensory activity that kids absolutely love. While it’s more of a “potion” making activity than a permanent craft, it utilizes dried flowers in a wonderful way.
Mixing, stirring, and smelling are all part of the fun in this wet and wild version of dried flower crafts for kids.
Materials needed:
- Dried fragrant flowers (rose petals, lavender, chamomile, jasmine)
- Water
- Jars or plastic bottles
- Glitter (optional, bio-degradable is best)
Step-by-step:
- Give your child a jar of water.
- Let them add handfuls of dried flower petals and herbs.
- Stir the potion with a stick and let it “steep” in the sun to release the scent.
- They can bottle their “perfume” and create labels for it. Note: This is for play only, not for actual skin application as it can spoil!
9. DIY Greeting Cards
Handmade cards are always more special. Using dried flowers to decorate cards adds a 3D element and a personal touch that store-bought cards just can’t match. This is one of the most versatile dried flower crafts for kids suitable for any holiday or birthday.
Materials needed:
- Blank cards or cardstock folded in half
- Pressed flowers
- Markers or pens
- Glue
Step-by-step:
- Fold the cardstock to create a card.
- Let the child glue pressed flowers onto the front.
- They can use markers to draw stems, leaves, or a vase underneath the flowers to complete the picture. A pressed pansy creates a great face, and fern fronds make excellent trees!
- Write a sweet message inside.
10. Floating Flower Candles
This craft involves making simple candles that showcase the beauty of dried petals. It requires adult supervision since it involves melted wax, but kids can help with the design and arrangement. It’s a sophisticated addition to our list of dried flower crafts for kids.
Materials needed:
- Old crayon bits or candle wax
- Muffin tins or small silicone molds
- Candle wicks
- Dried flower petals
Step-by-step:
- Place a wick in the center of the mold.
- Sprinkle dried flower petals around the base.
- Adults: Melt the wax and carefully pour it into the mold.
- As the wax cools but is still soft, kids can gently press more petals onto the top surface for decoration.
- Once hard, pop them out and float them in a bowl of water!
11. Botanical Monograms
Personalize your child’s room with a giant letter covered in nature. This project helps with letter recognition for little ones and results in a cool piece of decor for older kids. It’s a bold and structural take on dried flower crafts for kids.
Materials needed:
- Large cardboard letter (store-bought or cut from a box)
- Lots of dried flowers (dried moss works great as a base too)
- Craft glue or a low-temp glue gun
Step-by-step:
- Lay the cardboard letter flat.
- Apply a generous amount of glue.
- Start covering the letter with dried flowers. You can do a base layer of moss or leaves first to cover the brown cardboard, then layer colorful blooms on top.
- Ensure the entire surface is covered. Let it dry completely before hanging it on a bedroom door or wall.
12. Sensory Nature Bottles
For the littlest nature lovers, sensory bottles are captivating. Creating a “calm down” jar filled with slowly moving dried flowers and glitter is mesmerizing. This is one of the safest dried flower crafts for kids that can be enjoyed by toddlers (with the lid glued shut!).
Materials needed:
- Clear plastic water bottle
- Water
- Clear glue or glycerin (to thicken the water)
- Dried flowers and lightweight petals
- Glitter
Step-by-step:
- Fill the bottle about 3/4 full with water.
- Add a generous squeeze of clear glue or a splash of glycerin. This slows down the movement of the items inside.
- Add dried flowers, petals, and glitter.
- Fill the rest with water, leaving a little air gap at the top.
- Super glue the lid shut securely. Shake it up and watch the flowers dance! To ensure the lid stays permanently sealed and safe from curious little fingers, a drop of {Gorilla Super Glue Gel} on the threads of the cap is highly effective. Its gel formula doesn’t run, making it easy to apply precisely without mess.
Your Dried Flower Crafting Toolkit
To make these activities a breeze, having the right supplies on hand is helpful. Here is a summary of the useful products mentioned in this guide.
| Product Name | Brand | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Waterbase Sealer, Glue and Finish | Mod Podge | Perfect for decoupage projects like the lanterns; seals flowers to glass clearly. |
| Washable Kids’ Paint | Crayola | Ideal for nature paintbrushes; vibrant colors that wash off easily. |
| 1/4 Inch Circle Hand Punch | Fiskars | Creating clean holes in bookmarks for ribbons; easy for kids to grip. |
| Super Glue Gel | Gorilla | Securely sealing sensory bottle lids to prevent leaks and spills. |
Conclusion: Growing Creativity with Nature
Engaging in dried flower crafts for kids is about more than just the final product; it’s about the process of connection.
It connects children to the rhythm of the seasons, to the small details of the environment, and to their own innate creativity.
Whether they are making a simple suncatcher or constructing a complex fairy world, they are learning that beauty can be found, preserved, and transformed.
We hope these 12 magical activities inspire you and your little ones to head outside, gather some blooms, and start creating. The next time you see a wildflower, don’t just walk by—see it as a potential fairy skirt, a paintbrush, or a piece of stained glass waiting to happen.
Ready to get started? Grab a basket and head out for a nature walk today—your craft supplies are waiting in the garden! Which of these nature crafts are you most excited to try with your kids?
