Making a Paper Garden
Most parents are already brainstorming craft projects by late summer. You will need plenty of supplies and ideas to keep antsy little ones busy. Much of what you need can easily be saved, like acorns, twigs, pressed flowers, popsicle sticks, and anything else. Paper flower crafts may also need colored construction paper and paper plates. Paper garden crafts could feature paper plants or simply cut outs from seed catalogs or magazines. Make sure you save up any items you envision for entertaining the kiddos. Depending on how old children are, you can go with more complex paper garden crafts or keep it simple to a kindergarten level (or younger with assistance). The least dangerous (meaning scissors, although there are child safety versions available for use) is to use kid friendly glue and keep a stock of fun décor items. Children can glue on their chosen plant and flower parts to a paper plate. String twine through a couple of holes a parent makes and hang the work of art for all to see. Have them paint or color the plate before adding 3D décor. The backing will add to the effect and is part of the fun of making a garden out of paper.
Ideas for Paper Flower Crafts
Flowers can be cut out of construction paper, made out of cardboard, or use buttons glued to the plate and petals are colored in. Even flower stickers should be pressed into use. Artificial flowers are another great option. Craft or popsicle sticks make great stems, as does floral wire or real twigs from outdoors. Artificial Easter grass makes a great foil for the brightly colored flowers. Bigger kids may choose to cut out flower designs and glue them onto the surface. Multiple colors of paper and different shapes make exotic, bright flowers. Use this time to teach kids about different common flowers such as pansies, sunflowers, and lilies. Paper plants of all sorts can be part of the garden. A fun way to get children in on planning the paper garden is to cut out pictures of veggies from a seed catalog. Select what you want to plant in spring with kid’s input. Using a rectangle of construction paper, have them glue the plants where they would go in the spring and summer garden. This gives kids a chance to voice their opinions of what veggies they like. It is also a good time to instruct them on what each plant needs (sunlight or shade), when to plant, and how big plants will get. Making a paper garden is a useful tool that is fun too. Kids will learn about nature and the food cycle, while enjoying time with crafts.
