Looking for a creative, hands-on way to spend time outdoors with your little one? A flower preservation craft day is the perfect mix of nature walk, science lesson, and quiet-time art project. Not only is it fun and tactile, it’s also a sweet way to start introducing kids to basic natural science—plus you’ll end up with a beautiful piece of art they’ll be proud to display.

Here’s everything you need to get started.

What You’ll Need

One of the best things about flower pressing with kids is how simple and low-cost it can be. You likely already have most of these materials at home—or you can source them secondhand or inexpensively.

Basic Supplies:

  • An old book or two, preferably one hardcover and one paperback
  • Paper towels, blotting paper, or even coffee filters
  • Rubber bands or twine
  • Scissors (kid-safe if needed)
  • A clean frame (recycled is perfect!)
  • White glue or Mod Podge (non-toxic is best for kids and flowers)
  • Optional: a microwave flower press (for faster results)

Pro tip: Flowers take about 2-4 weeks to fully dry when pressed using books. If you use a microwave press, you can speed things up, but you’ll still want to let them finish drying before framing.

Fun Flowers and Plants to Look For

Start with a short walk in your backyard, neighborhood, or even a local park. Look for small, relatively flat plants and flowers—these press more easily and retain color better.

Some great beginner options:

  • Daisies
  • Clover
  • Ferns
  • Pansies
  • Marigolds
  • Petals from larger flowers like roses or sunflowers
  • Interesting leaves, grasses, or herbs like mint or lavender

Let your toddler explore and collect at their own pace. You can talk about colors, textures, or even count petals as you go. Just make sure you’re not picking anything from public gardens or protected areas.

The Science Behind Flower Pressing

Flower pressing is more than a pretty craft—it’s a simple way to introduce kids to plant biology and preservation science.

Explain to your child how flowers are made mostly of water, and how pressing removes the moisture so the plants can be saved long-term. You can talk about how time, pressure, and airflow help with drying, and how different flowers press in different ways.

Bonus learning moment: Show them the difference between a fresh flower and a dried one after a few days. Let them observe how colors change and feel the textures evolve over time.

These mini science lessons help develop curiosity, observation skills, and a love for the natural world—all through play.

Turn Their Artwork Into Something Special

Once your flowers are fully dried, your toddler can help arrange them on paper and glue them into place inside your frame. Encourage creativity—there’s no right or wrong way to design a layout.

Recycled or thrifted frames work perfectly for this step. And if you ever want to elevate the look into something more lasting (and less likely to crumble over time), you can explore a pressed flower frame made with archival materials and UV protection.

Want a Professional Finish?

If your child falls in love with flower art—or you end up wanting to preserve something special like a birthday bouquet or flowers from a family trip—you can always look into professional flower preservation. It’s a lovely way to preserve a moment in time, especially for sentimental gifts or home décor.

A flower preservation craft day is simple, sweet, and full of learning. It’s the kind of memory you and your toddler will both cherish—especially when you’re admiring your finished masterpiece hanging proudly on the wall.

Ready to get pressing?