DLTK's Crafts for Kids
How to Press Flowers and Leaves for Crafts with Children

Pressing flowers is a fun and educational activity that you can enjoy with children. This step-by-step guide to pressing flowers with kids will walk you through the process, creating beautiful keepsakes while immersing your children in the wonders of nature. With the help of heavy books and wax paper, you can easily preserve the beauty of flowers for crafts and exploration. Let's dive into the world of pressing flowers and discover the joy of nature-inspired creativity!

Materials:

• Fresh flowers (preferably small and flat, such as calendula, pansies, violas, or daisies)
• Heavy books (like dictionaries or encyclopedias) or other heavy objects (I always use my big vinegar bottle and some large tins of diced tomatoes but things like stones and bricks would work too.
• Glossy non-stick paper (such as white tissue paper, blotting paper, parchment paper or wax paper)
• Cardboard or heavy paper
• Scissors or gardening shears

Instructions:

1. Choose flowers: Take the kids outside to a garden, park, or any area with an abundance of flowers. Allow them to pick the flowers they'd like to press. Ensure that the flowers are not wet or damp.
2. Prepare the flowers: At home, help the kids trim off the stems and leaves, leaving only the flower head. If the flowers are dusty or dirty, gently brush them clean with a soft paintbrush.
3. Layer the materials: Start by placing a piece of cardboard on a flat surface. Then, place a sheet of non-stick paper like plain white tissue paper on top of the cardboard.
• Arrange the flowers on the paper, ensuring that they are not touching each other if you want to be able to separate them after pressing.
• If the flowers do touch each other or overlap they will be "stuck together" when you're done pressing them. You can create nice little flower scenes for your craft projects by overlapping them and letting them press together.
  
• I like tissue paper best for this project as it absorbs the moisture from pressing the flowers better than waxed paper and, I find, it sticks less to the flowers. People often use waxed paper though and it works fine.
4. Add more layers: Place another sheet of tissue paper on top of the flowers, followed by a second piece of cardboard. You can continue to create layers if you have more flowers to press.
5. Press the flowers: Place one or more heavy books or other heavy items on top of the stack of layered materials. The weight of the books will help press the flowers flat and remove moisture.
6. Wait patiently: Let the flowers press for at least two to three weeks. During this time, you can talk with the kids about the science behind pressing flowers and how it helps to preserve their colors and shapes.
7. Check the progress: After two to three weeks, carefully remove the books and layers to reveal the pressed flowers. They should be dry, flat, and have retained their color.
8. Create art or keepsakes: Once the flowers are pressed, you and the kids can use them to create various crafts, such as greeting cards, bookmarks, framed art, or even jewelry.

Remember to always supervise children during this activity and ensure that they handle the flowers and materials gently. Pressing flowers can be a great bonding experience and a way to inspire creativity and a love for nature in kids.

The Science Behind Pressing Flowers (brief overview):

The science behind pressing flowers involves two main processes: dehydration and the prevention of decay. These processes help to preserve the flowers' shapes, colors, and textures, making them suitable for long-term display or use in various crafts.

1. Dehydration: The primary purpose of pressing flowers is to remove moisture from the plant material. By placing flowers between layers of waxed paper and applying pressure with heavy books or a flower press, the moisture is drawn out of the flower cells. As the flowers dry, their cellular structure becomes more rigid, helping to maintain their shape.

2. Prevention of decay: As the moisture is removed from the flowers, the likelihood of decay is significantly reduced. Bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that cause decay require moisture to thrive. By dehydrating the flowers, you create an environment that is less favorable for these organisms, effectively slowing down or halting the decay process. Additionally, the pressing process helps to preserve the pigments in the flowers, allowing them to retain their colors for a longer period.

Coating pressed flowers with Mod Podge or sealing them with contact paper can help prevent decay and further protect the flowers from environmental factors that could cause damage. Here's how these methods can be beneficial:

1. Creating a barrier: Both Mod Podge and contact paper create a protective barrier around the pressed flowers. This barrier helps keep out moisture, air, and dust, which can contribute to the decay process or damage the flowers.
2. Preventing fading: The protective coating can also help prevent the colors of the flowers from fading due to exposure to light, particularly if you use a UV-resistant product. This helps maintain the vibrancy of the pressed flowers for a longer period.
3. Adding structural support: A coating of Mod Podge or a layer of contact paper can add some structural support to the pressed flowers, making them more durable and less prone to breakage.
4. Enhancing appearance: Mod Podge can give pressed flowers a glossy or matte finish, depending on the type you use. This can enhance the overall appearance of the flowers and make them more visually appealing in crafts or displays.

When using Mod Podge or contact paper to preserve pressed flowers, be sure to work carefully and gently to avoid damaging the delicate flowers. Allow the Mod Podge to dry thoroughly before handling or using the flowers in your projects. If using contact paper, ensure that the flowers are positioned correctly and smoothly before sealing the layers together.

By understanding the science behind pressing flowers, you can appreciate the delicate balance of processes at play in preserving these beautiful and fragile pieces of nature.

Happy crafting!
Leanne

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